As athletes prepare for the 2020 Special Olympic Canada Winter Games, many participants are starting sport-specific training ahead of the event.
On Saturday, Team Alberta Alpine skiers will be in Red Deer County at Caynon Ski Hill to prepare for the games which will take place in Thunder Bay, Ont. from Feb. 25-29.
“Team Alberta will host training camps in each of the eight sports over the course of the year,” said Jodi Flanagan, Chef de Mission for Team Alberta.
“These camps provide an opportunity for the athletes (who may live in different regions) and coaches to get to know each other as well as working on some technical and physical training. SOA partners with ASDC as well as other sport scientists to help athletes and coaches with their further development and success.”
In total, 132 athletes, coaches and mission staff will represent at the games across eight different sports: 5-pin bowling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, floor hockey, snowshoeing, and speed skating.
Central Alberta’s representatives are Dylan Deuchar (Red Deer) and Tyler Larson (Rocky Mountain House), who are both competing in speed skating. A handful of 5-pin bowlers from Camrose will also compete, including Mitchell Banks, Jon Gurr, James McGillivray, Aleena Lazar and Jody St. Onge.