Recap of Saturday’s Events
Yesterday was a full and exciting day at the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games, with all sports in action across our host communities. With so much happening at once, we were unfortunately unable to provide coverage from every venue — but here are the stories we were able to capture from an unforgettable Saturday of competition.
Wheelchair Basketball
J.L. Crowe Secondary | By Caleb Reid
Wheelchair basketball brought energy and heart to J.L. Crowe on Saturday, highlighting both passion for the sport and the importance of opportunity.
Coach Shantele Styles began playing basketball at just five years old and joined the BC Winter Games at 12. Now coaching, her goal is simple but powerful: to create opportunities for athletes to compete in real games against teams from other regions — not just scrimmages at home. She wants players to experience the excitement, growth, and confidence that comes from meaningful competition.
Athlete Cole Palmer, who started playing two years ago, shared his enthusiasm for the sport. While wheelchair boxing is his main discipline, basketball has quickly become something he loves. His message was clear: it’s a sport worth trying, and he believes everyone should have the chance to play.
Archery
J.L. Crowe Secondary | By Caleb Reid
At the archery venue, new athlete Sam Eld demonstrated that sometimes the best way to start something is to simply sign up and give it a shot.
Sam has been practicing archery for just six months. He decided to enter the Games to challenge himself and gain experience. His goal moving forward is straightforward — keep practicing and continue improving.
Beyond the competition, Sam said one of the coolest parts of the experience has been meeting new people. For many athletes, it’s these connections that make the Games about more than just hitting the target.
Skiing
Red Mountain | By Stuart Garlinge
At Red Mountain, we caught up with local racer Jaime Ansede to talk about his BC Winter Games experience.
The 14-year-old from Zone 1 has been skiing since he was about one year old, thanks to weekends spent on the hill with his parents. Over time, that early exposure turned into a love for ski racing.
Jaime says one of the biggest pros of racing is the energy and competitiveness. With multiple disciplines to try, every run presents a new challenge — and meeting skiers from across the province is one of the best parts. Of course, the sport comes with setbacks. In fact, Jaime lost a ski mid-race on Saturday. “Moments like that aren’t great,” he admitted, “but they’re part of the sport.”
For him, the BC Winter Games are about more than results. It’s the shared experiences, friendships, and collective love of skiing that stand out most.
Curling Semifinals
Trail Curling Club | By Kailey Reinhard
Semifinals at the Trail Curling Club brought intensity and anticipation as teams battled for spots in the gold medal finals.
The tension was palpable. Stones glided down the ice with precision, sweepers worked tirelessly, and pom poms shook in the stands as bells rang out across the arena. Athletes, many up since dawn preparing for what could be three games in a single day, showed both focus and resilience.
An early equipment malfunction for the Zone 8 Men’s team broom was resolved quickly by attentive staff and coaches, keeping play on schedule. On the women’s side, Zone 3 demonstrated strong control against Zone 5, capitalizing on key scoring opportunities. Both men’s semifinals remained tight through seven ends, with Zones 2 and 3 tied at three in one matchup, and Zones 8 and 3 locked at seven in the other. Ultimately, Men’s Zone 2 and Zone 3 advanced to the final.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Zone 7 and Zone 8 teams battled through an extra end to determine seventh and eighth place. With Zone 8 down a player due to health concerns, they pushed through adversity and secured the win. Across the ice, emotions ran high — joy, disappointment, and pride unfolding in real time.
Curling Finals
Trail Curling Club | By Kailey Reinhard
The gold medal matches delivered dramatic finishes and powerful displays of sportsmanship at the Trail Curling Club.
In the men’s final, Zones 3 and 2 went stone for stone in a tightly contested battle. Zone 3 gained a slight edge in the fourth end, applying early pressure with precise draws and disciplined defense. Zone 2 responded with steady sweeping and smart shot selection, keeping momentum constantly shifting. In a thrilling finish, Zone 3 secured gold by just a single point.
The bronze medal game saw Zone 5 take control over Zone 8, building a strong lead and ultimately claiming a 13–0 victory after the game was called in the seventh end. Despite the loss, Zone 8 responded with maturity and positivity, staying to cheer on fellow competitors. Graeme Burke reflected, “We accepted it and had fun instead of drowning in our sorrows.” His words captured the spirit of growth and camaraderie that defines the Games.
The women’s gold medal game between Zones 3 and 6 was equally gripping, with close scoring throughout. Zone 6 emerged victorious with a hard-earned 7–5 win. In the bronze matchup, Zone 5 pulled ahead late to defeat Zone 4 by a score of 7–3.
During the medal ceremony, tension gave way to celebration. Athletes shared smiles and proud embraces, and a special dedication to the ice maker earned enthusiastic cheers from the crowd. The arena then joined together in singing the Canadian national anthem — heartfelt, spirited, and a fitting close to an unforgettable competition.
As the final stones were thrown and the last medals presented, the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games officially came to a close. It has been a week filled with determination, sportsmanship, new friendships, and moments of pride across every venue.
Watch for additional recaps and highlights on our social media at @bcwintergames.ca and on our website in the coming days.
A heartfelt thank you to all sponsors, volunteers, officials, and community members who made these Games possible. Your dedication created an experience these young athletes will carry with them for years to come.
And now, we proudly pass the torch to the Kelowna 2026 BC Summer Games — your turn to carry the spirit forward!
