Youth Olympics: Canadians win 2 gold medals

Canadians captured two gold medals at the Youth Olympic Games on Monday in Lillehammer, Norway as Calgary luger Brooke Apshkrum and Chilliwack, B.C., ski cross racer Reece Howden both claimed titles.

Apshkrum posted a time of one minute, 46.026 seconds, holding off German's Jessica Tiebel by 0.071 seconds. Austrian Madeleine Egle took the bronze medal in 1:46.267.

Asphkrum, 16, won Canada's second luge medal of the Youth Olympics, one day after Reid Watts won bronze in the men's singles event.

It was also Asphkrum's first international podium finish in her two years on the national junior squad.

"It is great. I am in total shock," said Apshkrum who finished seventh at the junior world championships two weeks ago.

"I knew if I put down two good runs I could have an opportunity to be on the podium, but I totally didn't expect a gold medal. It is just amazing and to be Canada's first at the Games is an incredible feeling."

Howden, 17, won his gold medal in the men's big final, beating out Belgium's Xander Vercammen (silver) and Aussie Louis Muhlen (bronze). 

Howden swept his way into the big final, dominating as one of the favourites in the competition. Howden was second out of the gate but quickly made up ground and lead the majority of the heat.

"Today was an awesome day," said Howden. "In the big final I was able to get out in front and was hold my line. I got bumped coming into the second last turn and but managed to get back on it and finish in first. It feels amazing to be the winner here! I'm actually a bit speechless right now. Today was the perfect day!" 

Here's how the rest of the Canadians fared on Monday:

Mixed curling (Preliminary round)

• Canada def. Korea, 6-0
• Canada def. Brazil, 13-1

Men's hockey (Preliminary round)

Canada def. Finland, 5-1

Figure skating

Men's free program

• Roman Sadovsky (Toronto), 4th

Pairs free program

• Justine Brasseur (LaSalle, Que.) and Mathieu Ostiguy (Granby, Que.), 4th

Snowboard cross

Men

• Evan Bichon (Prince George, B.C.) 4th

Luge

Men's doubles

• Matt Riddle (Vancouver)/Adam Shippit (Pemberton, B.C.), 5th

Biathlon

Men's 10km pursuit

• Ben Churchill (Calgary), 10th
• Leo Grandbois (Lennoxville, Que.), 25th

Women's 7.5km pursuit

• Tekarra Banser (Kelowna, B.C.), 35th
• Gillian Gowling (Calgary), 45th