Canada’s dream of home-spun Olympic gold was not realized on day two at the Vancouver Winter Games, but there was a silver lining.
Three Canadian Olympians-Jennifer Heil, Charles Hamelin, and Manny Osbourne-Paradis were considered legitimate contenders for gold on day two,yet for reasons both in and out of their control,none were unable to deliver.
Heil highlighted the day as she captured Canada’s first and only medal, a silver, in women’s moguls.
American Hannah Kearney skied an outstanding race to win the gold, while fellow American Shanon Bahrke captured the bronze.
Moments after the medal presentation, the Spruce Grove, Aberta native exclaimed,”…. from Newfoundland to Nunavut, this is Canada’s medal.”
Manny Osbourne Paradis will have to wait untill Monday to race for gold in men’s downhill alpine skiing, as today’s race was postponed due to poor conditions at Whistler. Robbie Dixon, who along with Osbourne-Paradis, grew up in the Whistler area,and Erik Guay of Mont-Tremblant, Quebec, are also medal contenders.
Short track speedskater Olivier Jean of Lachennaie, Quebec finished fourth in the men’s 1500 metres.
Charles Hamelin had a dissapointing day on the oval, failing to qualify for the final.
In women’s short track, Quebec natives Marianne St.Gelais and Kalyna Roberge along with Edmonton’s Jessica Gregg qualified for the 500 metre quarterfinals, scheduled for Tuesday.
Meghan Agosta and Jayna Hefford each scored three goals and Kim St.Pierre recorded a shutout, as Canada devastated Slovakia 18-0 in women’s hockey. Canada’s next game is scheduled for Monday against Switzerland.
At the Whistler Sliding Centre, Sam Edney of Calgary is in 10th place after two days of competition in men’s singles luge. Edney’s combined time is 1:37.547, while defending world champion Felix Loch currently sits atop the leader board with a time of 1:36.570
Vancouver’s Jeff Christie placed 14th, while Ian Cockerline of Calgary is in 21st.
Finally, Megan Tandy of Victoria, B.C finished 46th in the women’s biathlon 7.5 kilometre sprint.
Zina Kocher and Rosanna Crawford placed 65th and 72nd, respectively.
