Team Kelowna bound for Olympic city

Team Kelowna is prepped and ready to attend the next International Children’s Winter Games in the former Olympic city of Lake Placid, New York, from Jan. 6-11, 2019. Lake Placid twice hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1932 and in 1980.

“We are very excited that our local athletes will be attending the International Children’s Games in Lake Placid and have the opportunity to compete and experience the Games in such a prestigious location,” acting mayor Gail Given said during the Team Kelowna uniform presentation on Dec. 19. “I wish them the best when they compete for Kelowna.”

The International Children’s Games is one of the largest multi-sport youth games in the world and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The Lake Placid Games in January are expecting 33 different cities to attend from 14 countries. Kelowna is one of six Canadian cities going to the Games, along with Port Moody, Penticton, Hamilton, Windsor and Ancaster, Ont.

This is the 13th International Children’s Games that Team Kelowna has attended.

Canadian Olympic athlete, Julia Ransom, was invited to talk with Team Kelowna at their uniform presentation. Her message was one of inspiration.

“I was very happy to talk with Team Kelowna today to relate my sport and Olympic preparation and experience with them,” said Ransom, who was on Team Canada for the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, placing eighth in the relay event for women’s biathlon.

“There are many of the same challenges that I went through, similar preparations for the Olympics that Team Kelowna is doing for the Children’s Games.”

Ransom had some great tips for the young athletes, encouraging them to make sure they enjoy the experience, do their best and meet other youth from around the world while at the Games.

The Team Kelowna delegation members going to Lake Placid are:

Cross-country skiers

Nathan Atchem, Sofie Steinruck, Kaelin Urness and coach David Urness

Biathlon

Enzo Fershau, Timur McNern and coach John McNern

Girls’ hockey

Ryley Bullock, Jenna Dudych, Bryn England, Kaelin Foster, Ava Halperin, Carolyn Leone, Madysin Martin, Sydney Monro, Ava Petty, Sydney Roberts, Tyra Rocha, Reese Sliskovic, Lily Wickenheiser, and coaches Leanne Foster, Kevin England and Bob Petty.

The head of delegation is Lorraine Friesen and the city representative is Heather Schneider.

The team’s flag and placard bearers for the opening ceremonies were also selected at the Dec. 19 event. Ryley Bullock and Timur McNern will be the City of Kelowna flag bearers, while Madysin Martin will march into the opening ceremonies carrying the Kelowna placard.

BIATHLON WORLD CUP

Kelowna’s Emily Young was the top Canadian in the women’s five-kilometre standing pursuit race, finishing seventh after missing two shots in her final round of shooting, stopping the clock at 21:21.6, at the season-opening IPC World Cup event in Vuokatti, Finland on Wednesday.

Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., finished one place back in eighth, while Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm was 11th.