February 02, 2011 (Erzurum, Turkey) – Canadian athletes resumed competition in curling, alpine skiing, biathlon and snowboarding on Tuesday at the 25th Winter Universiade. In men’s curling, the Queen’s University rink led by skip Jon Beuk of Kingston, Ont., improved to 4-3 with two preliminary matches remaining thanks to a 6-5 win over the United States. Canada scored two points in each of the second, fourth and seventh ends to build what looked like a comfortable 6-2 lead but the Americans refused to quit and scored twice in the eighth and once more in the tenth to make it a one-point affair.

Canada completes round-robin play Wednesday with matches at 2 a.m. ET (9 a.m. local) against South Korea (6-1) and at 12 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local) against Turkey (0-7).

After capturing Universiade gold in 2003 in Tarvisio, Italy, the Canadian men are coming off back-to-back sixth-place finishes in 2007 and 2009.

It was a different day on the ice for the Canadian women, Universiade champions in 2007 and silver medallists in 2009. The University of Regina foursome led by skip Brooklyn Lemon fell to 3-5 with one round-robin match left following losses to Germany, 8-4, and Russia, 4-3.

Against the Germans, Canada led 2-1 after four ends but saw their rivals score seven times over the next five ends, including three points in the fifth and another three in the eighth. The duel with Russia was much closer but despite erasing an early 2-0 deficit, the Canadians came up just short in the end.

Canada (3-5) completes the preliminary round Wednesday at 7 a.m. ET (2 p.m. local) against Turkey (0-8).

In biathlon, the finals of the women’s 7.5 km sprint and men’s 10 km sprint were contested on Tuesday.

Kathryn Stone also of Camrose, Alta., was the top Canadian female finishing 29th in a time of 28:29.2. On the men’s side, Jon Skinstad led the Canadian effort with a time of 33:10.1, good for the 30th position.

In alpine skiing, after a one-day delay due to poor weather, competitors were able to complete the first of two runs in the super combined event. Kendall Brown of Toronto was the top Canadian female in the slalom and stands in 26th place thanks to a time of 49.91, while Philippe Rivet of Greenfield Park, Que., crossed the finish line in 48.68 and is 24th after the men’s slalom.

In snowboarding, no Canadians advanced past the elimination round in the men’s parallel giant slalom. Calgary native and University of Calgary student Dylan Riley finished in 22nd place with a time of 1:19.04.

Both the Canadian women’s and men’s hockey teams were off on Tuesday but the women’s squad held a joint practice with Great Britain. The 30 minutes of ice time saw the red-and-white share drills and routines from a skill development perspective.

“We’re going to learn so much from this,” commented British head coach Simon Manning. “This gives our team so much energy as we’ve developed immensely and now these 28 girls have an opportunity to practice and develop with Canada.”

The reigning Universiade champion Canadian women (4-0) wrap up round-robin play Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET (8 p.m. local) against host Turkey (0-4).

TEAM CANADA RESULTS: Tuesday, February 1

ALPINE SKIING

Women’s Super Combined Slalom (Run 1 of 2)
1. Barbora Lukacova, Slovakia, 45.42

26. Kendall Brown, Toronto, Ont., 49.91
28. Nicole Poleschuk, Winnipeg, Man., 50.33
Maëlle Bergeron, Quebec City, Que., did not finish
Rebecca Nadler, Ottawa, Ont., did not finish
Marie-France Tessier, Montreal, Que., did not finish

Men’s Super Combined Slalom (Run 1 of 2)

1. Calle Lindh, Sweden, 46:18; 24. Philippe Rivet, Greenfield Park, Que., 48.68; 33. Olivier Lacaille, Montreal, Que., 49.27; Simon Mannella, Montreal, Que., 50.54; 48. Braden Long, Clarksburg, Ont., 50.92; Louis Morin, Montreal, Que., did not finish.

BIATHLON

Women’s 7.5km Sprint Final
1. Vita Semerenko, Ukraine, 23:29.5
2. Evgeniya Sedova, Russia, 24:18.7
3. Emilia Yordanova, Bulgaria, 24:27.4

29. Kathryn Stone, Camrose, Alta., 28:29.2
32. Lauren Brookes, Halifax, N.S., 30:20.9
35. Jennifer Paterson, St. Albert, Alta., 32:24.5
36. Elizabeth Mawdsley, Fort Smith, N.W.T., 32:58.2

Men’s 10km Sprint Final

1. Artem Pryma, Ukraine, 28:25
2. Sergii Semenov, Ukraine, 28:31.7
3. Evgeniy Garanichev, Russia, 28:38.9

30. Jon Skinstad, Camrose, Alta., 33:10.1
39. Kai Skinstad, Camrose, Alta., 35:15.8
40. Johnny Forward, Corner Brook, Nfld., 35:16.2
43. Jaime Robb, Hay River, N.W.T., 37:01.4

CURLING

Women’s Preliminary Round

Game 7 of 9

Germany 0 0 1 0 3 0 0 3 1 X – 8
Canada 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 0 X – 4

Game 8 of 9

Russia 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1 0 X – 4
Canada 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 1 X – 3

Canada (3-5) completes the preliminary round Wednesday at 7 a.m. ET against Turkey (0-8).

Men’s Preliminary Round

Game 7 of 9

Canada 0 2 0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 – 6
USA 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 2 0 1 – 5

Canada (4-3) completes the preliminary round Wednesday with matches at 2 a.m. ET against South Korea (6-1) and at 12 p.m. ET against Turkey (0-7).

SNOWBOARDING

Men’s Parallel Giant Slalom Elimination
1. Sebastian Kislinger, Austria, 1:14.14

22. Dylan Riley, Calgary, Alta., 1:19.04, did not advance
26. Frédéric Laurin-Lalonde, Montreal, Que., 1:30.46, did not advance
30. Mackenzie Carter, Maryhill, Ont., 1:25.63, did not advance
38. Antoine Laurin-Lalonde, Montreal, Que., 45.37, did not advance

Team Canada website HERE.
2011 Winter Universiade website HERE.

January 26, 2011 (Ottawa, ON) – A delegation of 102 student-athletes and 39 officials will represent Canada at the 2011 Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey, from January 27 to February 6. The opening ceremonies of the 25th Winter World University Games are set for 8 p.m. local time (1 p.m. Eastern) on Thursday.

The two Canadian hockey teams will be in action on opening day, both at 4 p.m. local. The women begin the defence of their Universiade title against Finland while the men – silver medallists in 2009 – kick off the tournament against Slovenia.

“Our group of athletes is going to be competitive,” said Canadian chef de mission, Beth Ali. “We’ve seen success over the years in curling, hockey and speed skating and we hope to see similar results here in Turkey.”

“The athletes’ village is beautiful with the ski jumping venue visible from most residences including our own,” added University of Toronto’s Director of Intercollegiate and High Performance Sport, who arrived in Erzurum on Saturday. “The staff and volunteers have been great and we look forward to what promises to be an outstanding Games.”

In addition to hockey, Canada will be competing in alpine skiing, biathlon, cross country skiing, curling, short track speed skating and snowboarding over the next two weeks.

At the last Winter Universiade in Harbin, China, in 2009, Canada tallied six medals including one gold (women’s hockey), four silver (men’s hockey, women’s curling, short track men’s 1000m, short track men’s 5000m relay) and one bronze (short track women’s 3000m relay).

Canada’s best showing at the Winter Universiade came in 1985 when Canadian student-athletes returned from Belluno, Italy, with 18 medals including five gold. An exceptional short track speed skating team featuring numerous Olympic medallists such as Susan Auch, Maryse Perreault, Louis Grenier and Michel Daignault accounted for 17 of those podiums and all five first-place finishes.

Canada also hit double digits in 2003 in Tarvisio, Italy, amassing 10 medals including two gold, five silver and three bronze.

The first Winter Universiade were held in 1960 in Chamonix, France. Canada claimed its first medal in 1968 at the fifth biennial Games in Innsbruck, Austria, when the men’s hockey team skated to a third-place finish. The first Canadian gold medal came four years later in Lake Placid, NY, when alpine skier Lisa Richardson won the downhill race.

Websites and Links
– Team Canada website HERE.
– Team Canada schedule by sport HERE.
– Team Canada schedule by day HERE.
– Official Universiade website HERE.

Following is a complete list of student-athletes and officials representing Canada in Erzurum (listed by sport).

TEAM CANADA STUDENT-ATHLETES

Alpine Skiing
– Maëlle Bergeron Cegep F.-X.-Garneau Quebec City, Que.
– Kendall Brown Westminster College Toronto, Ont.
– Catherine Morel Cegep F.-X.-Garneau Quebec City, Que.
– Rebecca Nadler Harvard University Ottawa, Ont.
– Nicole Poleschuk University of Nevada Reno Winnipeg, Man.
– Marie-France Tessier University of Montreal Montreal, Que.
– Philippe Crête Belzile Laval University Cap-Rouge, Que.
– Olivier Lacaille University of Montreal Montreal, Que.
– Braden Long Dartmouth College Clarksburg, Ont.
– Simon Mannella Laval University Montreal, Que.
– Louis Morin Laval University Montreal, Que.
– Philippe Rivet Champlain College Greenfield Park, Que.

Biathlon
– Lauren Brookes University of Alberta (Augustana) Halifax, N.S.
– Elizabeth Mawdsley University of Alberta (Augustana) Fort Smith, N.W.T.
– Jennifer Paterson University of Alberta (Augustana) St. Albert, Alta.
– Kathryn Stone University of Alberta (Augustana) Camrose, Alta.
– Johnathon Forward University of Alberta (Augustana) Corner Brook, Nfld.
– Jaime Robb University of British Columbia Hay River, N.W.T.
– Jon Skinstad University of Alberta (Augustana) Camrose, Alta.
– Kai Skinstad University of Alberta (Augustana) Camrose, Alta.

Cross Country Skiing
– Adele Lay Carleton University Eden Mills, Ont.
– Alexia Pichard-Jolicoeur Laval University St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que.
– Zoe Roy University of Utah Bracebridge, Ont.
– Mary Thompson Laurentian University Woodstock, Ont.
– Maja Zimmermann University of Alberta (Augustana) Edmonton, Alta.
– Colin Abbott Carleton University Whitehorse, Yukon
– Benjamin Hébert Laval University Montreal, Que.
– Jesse Heckrodt University of British Columbia Enderby, B.C.
– Anthony Killick University of Calgary Fort McMurray, Alta.
– Vincent Ruel Laval University Charny, Que.

Curling
– Brooklyn Lemon University of Regina Maryfield, Sask.
– Chelsey Peterson University of Regina Estevan, Sask.
– Ashley Green University of Regina Yellowknife, N.W.T.
– Nicole Lang University of Regina Regina, Sask.
– Sarah Watamanuk University of Regina Crane Valley, Sask.
– Jonathan Beuk Queen’s University Kingston, Ont.
– Andrew Inouye Queen’s University Ottawa, Ont.
– Chadd Vandermade Queen’s University Ottawa, Ont.
– Scott Chadwick Queen’s University Marysville, Ont.
– William Francis Queen’s University Toronto, Ont.

Hockey (men)
– Scott Aarssen Western Ontario University London, Ont.
– Kevin Baker Western Ontario University Georgetown, Ont.
– Ryan Berard Carleton University Niagara Falls, Ont.
– Matt Caria Lakehead University Sault St. Marie, Ont.
– Francis Charland U of Quebec at Trois-Rivières Victoriaville, Que.
– Marc-André Dorion McGill University St-Hubert, Que.
– Yashar Farmanara Western Ontario University West Vancouver, B.C.
– Anthony Grieco Western Ontario University Brampton, Ont.
– Dominic Jalbert University of Ottawa Hull, Que.
– Geoff Killing Western Ontario University Embro, Ont.
– Thomas Kiriakou University of Guelph Richmond Hill, Ont.
– Maxime Langelier-Parent McGill University Montreal, Que.
– Brandon MacLean Carleton University Burlington, Ont.
– Matthieu Methot University of Ottawa Ottawa, Ont.
– Tim Priamo University of Guelph Guelph, Ont.
– Chris Ray University of Waterloo Kelowna, B.C.
– Jean-Michel Rizk Wilfrid Laurier University Durham, Que.
– Jordan Smith Lakehead University Sault St. Marie, Ont.
– Kyle Sonnenburg University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ont.
– Keaton Turkiewicz Western Ontario University Brantford, Ont.
– Evan Vossen McGill University Swift Current, Sask.
– Jim Watt University of Windsor Edmonton, Alta.

Hockey (women)
– Ann-Sophie Bettez McGill University Sept-Iles, Que.
– Andrea Boras University of Alberta Calgary, Alta.
– Beth Clause Brock University Hamilton, Ont.
– Kim Deschênes University of Montreal Saint-Quentin, N.B.
– Jenna Downey StFX University Stratford, Ont.
– Suzanne Fenerty StFX University Cole Harbour, N.S.
– Breanne George University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon, Sask.
– Carly Hill McGill University Dorval, Que.
– Andrea Ironside Wilfrid Laurier University Collingwood, Ont.
– Liz Knox Wilfrid Laurier University Stouffville, Ont.
– Erin Lally Concordia University Calgary, Alta.
– Jocelyn Leblanc Dalhousie University Moncton, N.B.
– Alicia Martin Wilfrid Laurier University Etobicoke, Ont.
– Addie Miles University of Manitoba Winnipeg, Man.
– Mariève Provost University of Moncton Laval, Que.
– Ellie Seedhouse Western Ontario University Whitby, Ont.
– Jacalyn Sollis University of Guelph West Vancouver, B.C.
– Candice Styles Wilfrid Laurier University Orangeville, Ont.
– Courtney Unruh York University Fort St. John, B.C.
– Kelsey Webster York University Duncan, B.C.
– Jessica Zerafa University of Guelph Mississauga, Ont.

Short Track Speed Skating
– Gabrielle Waddell University of Calgary Red Deer, Alta.
– Andrea Do-Duc Concordia University Montreal, Que.
– Sabrina Bourgela Maisonneuve College Pointe-aux-Trembles, Que.
– Valérie Lambert U of Quebec at Montreal Montreal, Que.
– Kristy Shoebridge University of Calgary Calgary, Alta.
– Gabriel Chiasson-Poirier U of Quebec at Montreal Sherbrooke, Que.
– Allyn Gagnon U of Quebec at Montreal Montreal, Que.
– Pier-Olivier Gagnon Cegep Rosemont Quebec City, Que.
– Liam McFarlane University of Calgary Calgary, Alta.
– Vincent Cournoyer Cegep Édouard-Montpetit Boucherville, Que.

Snowboarding
– Anne-Frédérique Grenier Laval University Beaupré, Que.
– Justine Côté Laval University Petite-Rivière-St-François, Que.
– Antoine Laurin-Lalonde École de technologie supérieure Montreal, Que.
– Dylan Riley University of Calgary Calgary, Alta.
– Frédéric Laurin-Lalonde University of Montreal Montreal, Que.
– Mackenzie Carter Carleton University Maryhill, Ont.
– Pierce Smith Humber College Caledon, Ont.
– Rob Ritchie University of Calgary Calgary, Alta.
– Taylor Ronsky University of Calgary Calgary, Alta.

TEAM CANADA PERSONNEL AND COACHES

Mission Staff
– Chef de Mission: Beth Ali (University of Toronto)
– Assistant Chef: Mary MacDonald (CIS)
– Communications Manager: Ari Grossman (Wilfrid Laurier University)
– Operations Manager: Elizabeth Kiraly (CIS)
– Chief Medical Officer: Dr. Devin Nielsen
– Chief Therapist: Andrea Prieur (University of Toronto)
– Physician: Dr. Taryn Taylor (Carleton University)
– Therapist: Jacques Lavergne (Laval University)
– Therapist: Vicky Wiltshire (Queen’s University)

Alpine Skiing
– Head Coach / Team Leader: Vincent Lavoie (Laval University / Quebec City, Que.)
– Coach: David Côté (McGill University / St-Hubert, Que.)

Biathlon
– Team Leader: Joan Skinstad (University of Alberta – Augustana / Camrose, Alta.)
– Coach: Hans Skinstad (University of Alberta – Augustana / Camrose, Alta.)

Cross Country Skiing
– Team Leader: Mary Waddell (Wahnapitae, Ont.)
– Head Coach: Mark Tierney (Corner Brook, Nfld.)
– Coach: Sara Nielsen (University of Alaska Anchorage / Whitehorse, Yukon)
– Coach: Kirk Potter (Whitehorse, Yukon)

Curling
– Team Leader: Wendy Morgan (Burlington, Ont.)
– Coach (women): Travis Brown (Loreburn, Sask.)
– Coach (men): Richard Henderson (Thunder Bay, Ont.)
– Team official (women): Alison Fisher (Regina, Sask.)

Hockey (men)
– General Manager: Brian Bourque (University of Waterloo)
– Head Coach: Clarke Singer (Western Ontario University)
– Assistant Coach: Kevin Figsby (Concordia University)
– Assistant Coach: Shawn Camp (University of Guelph)
– Equipment Manager: Bob McLeod (Western Ontario University)
– Therapist: Gunner Obrascos (University of Guelph)
– Video Coordinator: Cam O’Donnell (Western Ontario University)

Hockey (women)
– Head coach: Les Lawton (Concordia University)
– Assistant coach: Stacey Colarossi (York University)
– Assistant coach: Mandi Duhamel (Carleton University)
– Therapist: Marcel Charland (University of Toronto)
– Doctor: Patti Galvin (University of Guelph)

Short Track Speed Skating
– Team leader: Jennifer Cottin (Montreal, Que.)
– Coach: Paul Hunter (Calgary, Alta.)
– Coach: Jon Cavar (Calgary, Alta.)
– Coach: Jeff Scholten (Mascouche, Que.)

Snowboarding
– Team Leader: Nadia M’Seffar (Vancouver, B.C.)
– Coach: Patrick Gaudet (Montcalm, Que.)

December 21, 2010 – Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) announced Monday the student-athletes and coaches who will represent Canada in cross country skiing and biathlon at the 2011 Winter Universiade in Erzurum, Turkey. The 24th Winter World University Games will run from January 27 to February 6. The cross country skiing events get under way on Jan. 28, with the biathlon competitions kicking off a day later.

Heading the Canadian cross country skiing delegation in Erzurum will be Mary Waddell, who will act as team leader for the third straight Universiade. The coaching staff is comprised of head coach Mark Tierny and coaches Sara Nielsen and Kirk Potter.

The five-member women’s squad is made up of Carleton University’s Adele Lay, Laval’s Alexia Pichard-Jolicoeur, Utah’s Zoe Roy, Laurentian’s Mary Thompson and Alberta Augustana’s Maja Zimmermann.

Pichard-Jolicoeur of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., and Thompson of Woodstock, Ont., are both veterans of the 2009 Games in Harbin, China. Pichard-Jolicoeur had her best individual showing – a 37th place – in the 15 km mass start and also finished 40th in the 10 km pursuit, 41st in the sprint, 44th in the 5 km freestyle race and 12th in the team relay. Thompson was 44th in the pursuit, 45th in the mass start and 50th in both the sprint and freestyle.

On the men’s side, Canada is also sending five competitors including Laval teammates Benjamin Hébert and Vincent Ruel, Carleton’s Colin Abbott, UBC’s Jesse Heckrodt and Calgary’s Anthony Killick.

Canada won its lone Universiade medal in cross country skiing back in 1985 in Belluno, Italy, when the foursome of Alain Masson, Wayne Dustin, Owen Spence and Benoit Létourneau claimed bronze in the men’s 4×10 km relay.

In biathlon, most of the Canadian roster comes from the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus, including team leader Joan Skinstad and coach Hans Skinstad.

The women set to wear the maple leaf uniform are Augustana’s Lauren Brookes, Elizabeth Mawdsley, Carly Shiell and Kathryn Stone, while their male teammates will be Jonathan Forward, Alex Frost and Jon Skinstad, all of Augustana, as well as UBC’s Jaime Robb.

Stone of Camrose, Alta., and Forward of Corner Brook, Nfld., both have previous Universiade experience. Stone competed in 2009 in China and finished eighth in the mixed relay, 35th in the individual 15 km, 38th in the 10 km pursuit and 39th in the 7.5 km sprint. Forward was 41st in the 12.5 km pursuit and 48th in the 10 km sprint in 2007 in Turin, Italy.

Canada has never medaled at the Universiade in biathlon.

Canada’s participation in the Universiade is managed by the CIS International Programs.

Team Canada website HERE.
2011 Winter Universiade website HERE.

Team Canada XC Skiing Roster and Schedule

Athletes
– Colin Abbott – Carleton University – Whitehorse, Yukon
– Benjamin Hébert – Laval University –
– Jesse Heckrodt – University of British Columbia – Enderby, B.C.
– Anthony Killick – University of Calgary – Fort McMurray, Alta.
– Vincent Ruel – Laval University – Charny, Que.
– Adele Lay – Carleton University – Eden Mills, Ont.
– Alexia Pichard-Jolicoeur – Laval University – St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que.
– Zoe Roy – University of Utah – Bracebridge, Ont.
– Mary Thompson – Laurentian University – Woodstock, Ont.
– Maja Zimmermann – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Edmonton, Alta.

Staff
– Team Leader: Mary Waddell, Laurentian University (Wahnapitae, Ont.)
– Head Coach: Mark Tierney (Corner Brook, Nfld.)
– Coach: Sara Nielsen, University of Alaska Anchorage (Whitehorse, Yukon)
– Coach: Kirk Potter (Whitehorse, Yukon)

Schedule (local time)
– Jan. 28 (10:00): Women’s individual 5 km
– Jan. 28 (11:00): Men’s individual 10 km
– Jan. 29 (9:00): Women’s & Men’s sprint (qualifications)
– Jan. 29 (11:00): Women’s & Men’s sprint (finals)
– Jan. 31 (10:00): Women’s pursuit without break (5 km classic & 5 km freestyle)
– Jan. 31 (10:00): Men’s pursuit without break (7.5 km classic & 7.5 km freestyle)
– Feb. 2 (11:00): Women’s relay 3 x 5 km (classic, freestyle, freestyle)
– Feb. 2 (12:00): Men’s relay 4 x 10 km (classic, classic, freestyle, freestyle)
– Feb. 3 (10:00): Mixed team sprint
– Feb. 5 (10:00): Women’s 15 km mass start (freestyle)
– Feb. 5 (11:00): Men’s 30 km mass start (freestyle)

Team Canada Biathlon Roster and Schedule

Athletes
– Jonathan Forward – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Corner Brook, Nfld.
– Alex Frost – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Edmonton, Alta.
– Jaime Robb – University of British Columbia – Hay River, N.W.T.
– Jon Skinstad – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Camrose, Alta.
– Lauren Brookes – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Halifax, N.S.
– Elizabeth Mawdsley – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Fort Smith, N.W.T.
– Carly Shiell – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Camrose, Alta.
– Kathryn Stone – University of Alberta (Augustana) – Camrose, Alta.

Staff
– Team Leader: Joan Skinstad, University of Alberta – Augustana (Camrose, Alta.)
– Coach: Hans Skinstad, University of Alberta – Augustana (Camrose, Alta.)

Schedule (local time)
– Jan. 29 (10:00): Men’s individual 20 km
– Jan. 29 (13:00): Women’s individual 15 km
– Feb. 1 (10:00): Men’s sprint 10 km
– Feb. 1 (13:00): Women’s sprint 7.5 km
– Feb. 2 (10:00): Men’s pursuit 12.5 km
– Feb. 2 (12:00): Women’s pursuit 10 km
– Feb. 4 (10:00): Mixed relay (2 x 6 km women & 2 x 7.5 km men)
– Feb. 5 (10:00): Men’s mass start 15 km
– Feb. 5 (12:00): Women’s mass start 12.5 km