Yukon wins 2 medals before rain postpones ski races at Special Olympics Winter Games
'It's pouring rain, very much like we would see in Whitehorse in May' says Serge Michaud
It will take more than a torrent of rain to dampen the spirits of Yukon athletes competing in the Special Olympics Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, N.L., this week.
Today's ski and snowshoe events were cancelled because of the wet conditions.
"It's pouring rain, very much like we would see in Whitehorse in May," said Serge Michaud, executive director of Special Olympics Yukon.
"It's a little surreal."
Yukon's three cross-country skiing athletes competed in their first races yesterday, with strong results. Owen Munroe won gold in his division of the 5-kilometre race, while Darby McIntyre took silver in his division of the same distance.
"To see Owen go up on that podium ... I've never seen him smile that big ever in my life," said an emotional Michaud.
Ernest Chua did not make the podium but skied his personal best in two races.
"I was told by our coaches that he was double poling up hills like they'd never seen him do it before," said Michaud.
Yukon's two figure skaters, Mike Sumner and Tijana McCarthy, compete tomorrow.
It's not yet clear if today's cancelled ski races will go ahead. Special Olympics organizers put out a call for help shovelling snow at the cross-country ski venue onto the course from a nearby area .
The forecast is looking favourable: Environment Canada is calling for flurries and below-zero temperatures on Friday and Saturday.
The last events of the Special Olympics are scheduled for Saturday morning.
with files from A New Day