Team Canada has won its first gold medal and first medal at the 2023 Winter Universiade in Lake Placid, New York. On Saturday, Shilo Rousseau of Thessalon, Ontario placed first in the women’s 12.5 kilometre short individual biathlon event.
Rousseau had a winning time of 42 minutes, 52.9 seconds. Barbara Skrobiszewska of Poland won the silver medal with a time of 43 minutes, 41.3 seconds. Tereza Jandova of the Czech Republic won the bronze medal with a time of 43 minutes, 46.6 seconds. Rousseau reached the podium by two minutes, 10.7 seconds. Polina Yegorova of Kazakhstan finished in fourth place with a time of 45 minutes, 3.6 seconds.
Rousseau won the gold medal despite having one penalty each from the prone position and standing position. Skrobiszewska only had one penalty, which came from the prone position.
This is the 31st Winter Universiade, and this is the first time ever that Canada won a medal in the sport of biathlon in the history of the Winter Universiade. Rousseau is a biology student at the University of Ottawa.
Meanwhile in other action, Canada won its first game in curling on the men’s side and women’s side. In men’s action, Canada beat the Czechia 8-1 after losing its first game on Friday 7-4 to Switzerland. In women’s action, Canada improved to 1-2 after beating Japan 9-2. Canada lost its first game 6-5 to South Korea and its second game 8-4 to the United States. The Canadian men are skipped by Owen Purcell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the Canadian women are skipped by Abby Marks of Red Deer, Alberta. Purcell attends Dalhousie University, and Marks attends the University of Alberta.
Also in women’s hockey, Canada improved to a record of two wins and zero losses following a 5-1 win over Czechia. The five Canadian goal scorers were University of Toronto forward Celine Frappier of Tecumseh, Ontario, Concordia University forward Emmy Fecteau of Saint-Odilon, Quebec, Bishop’s University defenseman Marie-Camille Theoret of Magog, Quebec, Nipissing University forward Maria Dominico of North Bay, Ontario, and St. Mary’s University forward Shae Demale of Red Deer, Alberta.
