Torchlighting Ceremony Kicks Off Countdown to 2026 BC Winter Games

The Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games Torchlighting Ceremony brought the community together Thursday night in a celebration marking the official countdown to the Games. The highlight of the evening was the lighting of the BC Winter Games Torch, carried by five young athletes—Nila Coombes, Charlee Barter-Tyson, Emily Olinick, Indica Richardson, and Rachel Daugherty—each representing the next generation of excellence and aiming to compete at the Games in 2026. Community pillars Jim Albo, Rino DeBiasio, and Dave Rusnell were honoured for their lifelong contributions to sport, with special acknowledgement given to Bob Moffat and Brad Elliot, who could not attend.

The ceremony also featured a video message from the Honourable Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, who helped officially kick off the countdown to the Games. With music from the Trail Pipe Band, impressive pomp and circumstance of the Trail Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party, and encouragement from local leaders, the event set the tone for the 97-day countdown to welcoming athletes, coaches, and officials from across the province in February 2026