Canadian Wheelchair Curling Team Makes Paralympic History with Perfect Round Robin
Milan Cortina, Italy – The Canadian wheelchair curling team has achieved a historic first at the Paralympic Games, completing round-robin play undefeated with a 9-0 record. Led by skip Mark Ideson, the team secured the top playoff seed with wins over the United States (7-3) and South Korea (6-3) on Thursday. Canada will now face South Korea again in Friday’s semifinal. This marks another strong showing for the Canadian team, who have reached the podium at every Paralympics since the sport’s inclusion in 2006, winning the first three gold medals and taking bronze in the last two editions. In other Canadian Paralympic news, Michaela Gosselin earned her fourth top-10 finish in as many events, placing eighth in the standing giant slalom.
Canada’s Wheelchair Curling Team Makes Paralympic History with Perfect Run
Canada’s wheelchair curling team etched its name into the Paralympic record books on Thursday, becoming the first team in any Paralympic sport to complete round-robin play without a single loss. The team, comprised of skip Mark Ideson, second Ina Forrest, third Jon Thurston, lead Collinda Joseph and alternate Gil Dash, finished with a dominant 9-0 record at the Milan Cortina Games.
Dominating Performance in Milan Cortina
Canada secured their perfect record with a pair of victories on Thursday, first defeating South Korea 6-3 and then overcoming the United States 7-3. The win against the United States was particularly impressive, as Canada stole two points in the sixth end and another in the seventh to pull away. Previously, Canada had earned a playoff spot by defeating Sweden, the 2022 silver medallists, moving to a 6-0 record.
Ideson Leads the Charge
Skip Mark Ideson, who assumed the role in 2018, has been instrumental in Canada’s success. The team’s consistent performance reflects his leadership and the experience of veteran athletes like Ina Forrest and Jon Thurston. Canada will now face South Korea in Friday’s semifinal at 5:05 a.m. ET, aiming to continue their pursuit of a medal.
Did you know? Canada has reached the wheelchair curling podium at every Paralympics since the sport’s inclusion in 2006, demonstrating a consistent tradition of excellence.
Looking Ahead: Semifinal Matchups
The other semifinal will pit two-time defending champions China (8-1) against Sweden (5-4). China suffered their only defeat against Canada earlier in the tournament, setting the stage for a potentially thrilling rematch in the medal rounds. Canada, currently ranked second in the world behind China, is poised to make a strong run for the gold medal.
Gosselin Continues Strong Showing in Alpine Skiing
Beyond the curling rink, Canada’s Michaela Gosselin continued to impress in alpine skiing, securing her fourth top-10 finish in as many events. She placed eighth in the standing giant slalom, clocking a total time of 2 minutes 38.08 seconds. Sweden’s Ebba Aarsjoe claimed gold, while Russia’s Varvara Voronchikhina and France’s Aurélie Richard secured silver and bronze, respectively.
Youngest Athlete Makes Paralympic Debut
Florence Carrier, Canada’s youngest athlete at these Games at 18 years old, also competed in the standing giant slalom, finishing 13th in her Paralympic debut. Gosselin and Carrier will both compete in the slalom on Saturday, adding to Canada’s medal hopes.
Pro Tip: Wheelchair curling strategy often revolves around precise stone placement and strategic sweeping to influence the stone’s path. Understanding these nuances is key to appreciating the skill involved.
Canada’s Medal Count Continues to Grow
Through six days of competition, Canada has amassed 10 medals – one gold, three silver, and six bronze. The team’s success across multiple disciplines highlights the strength and depth of Canadian Paralympic athletes. The full medal table is available here.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is wheelchair curling? Wheelchair curling is a Paralympic sport derived from traditional curling, adapted for athletes with physical disabilities. Players deliver stones down the ice while using wheelchairs and sweeping brushes.
- How does Canada’s performance compare to previous Paralympics? Canada has consistently been a strong contender in wheelchair curling, winning the first three gold medals and taking bronze at the last two editions.
- Who is Mark Ideson? Mark Ideson is the skip of the Canadian wheelchair curling team and assumed the role in 2018. He became a wheelchair athlete after a helicopter crash in 2007 resulted in a spinal cord injury.
- Where are the 2026 Paralympic Games being held? The 2026 Paralympic Games are being held in Milan Cortina, Italy.
What are your predictions for Canada’s performance in the wheelchair curling semifinals? Share your thoughts in the comments below!