RED DEER, AB (February 23, 2019): The 2019 Canada Winter Games have so far proved memorable for Team Sask, as the provinces' top amateur athletes have come up strong against the best in the nation after the first week of competition. Team Sask currently sits in sixth place overall with 3 medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).

Week one competition featured 10 sports and kicked off on Saturday, February 16th, concluding on Friday, February 22nd. The week saw highlights such as Opening Ceremony flag bearer Logan Pletz winning Gold in the men's Biathlon 12.5 km individual race; Gymnasts Rya Wiebe and Alix Pierce winning bronze and silver medals in quick succession on the last day of Artistic Gymnastics competition; Men's Hockey notching an exciting win against home team Alberta in its first game of the tournament, and placing fourth overall -- higher than it has since 1995 when Patrick Marleau's team won gold; the men's Long Track Speed Skating team coming within 1 second of a Canada Games record; and many more exciting performances and personal bests recorded by Saskatchewan's young athletes.

Throughout the fifty-two-year history of the Canada Games, Team Sask has traditionally battled with Team Manitoba and Team Nova Scotia for fifth spot in the rankings. Currently, Team Sask sits tied with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, with Manitoba in fifth following its strong performance in speed skating.

Beyond its medal count, Team Sask currently sits tied for fourth with Quebec in the race for the Centennial Cup, an honour awarded to the province or territory with the most improved performance compared to the most recent Games. At the 2015 Canada Winter Games held in Prince George, BC, Team Sask ended up in fifth place in both medal count and flag points.

Week two competitions kick off on Sunday, February 24th and conclude with the Closing Ceremony on Saturday, March 2nd. The following sports will be contested during week two:

  • Alpine Skiing and Para Alpine
  • Archery
  • Badminton
  • Cross Country Skiing and Para Nordic
  • Curling
  • Figure Skating
  • Women's Hockey
  • Judo
  • Snowboard
  • Squash

Athletes who compete at the Canada Games represent the country’s next generation of national, international and Olympic champions. Team Sask alumni and Olympic medalists Mark McMorris, Catriona Le May Doan, and Emily Clark can all count their previous Canada Games experiences as a stepping stone to the highest levels of sport.

Throughout the Games, an ongoing Team Sask medal count will be found on the Team Sask website at teamsask.ca, and live results and sport schedules will be found at https://cg2019.gems.pro. Daily content can be found on Team Sask social media: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

The official 2019 Canada Winter Games website is located at canadagames.ca/2019


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For more information, please contact:
Karen Lawson
Games Services & Communications Lead
(306) 529-3120 | klawson@saskgames.ca