Brian McKeever will once again lead Canada’s Paralympic effort into the 2014 Games.
Along with guides Erik Carleton and Graham Nishikawa, McKeever will begin the games in the men’s 20-km classic visually impaired race on March 10, followed by the sprints on March 12 and 10-km freestyle race on March 16.
This will be his fourth Paralympic Games, and McKeever said he is more prepared than ever before.
“We’ve gotten more refined each time. We went into 2002 more raw, based on Robin (McKeever’s) 1998 experience, but each time we’ve gotten more refined about it,” McKeever said. “We’re getting pretty old. It’s not our first run at it, so we’re comfortable with whatever they throw at us.”
He’s had a good lead up to the games. He won gold in all of his ParaNordic World Cup races in Canmore easily over a huge Russian contingent. After just missing the qualification spot for the 2014 Olympic team, McKeever crushed several local loppets along with Carleton and Nishikawa, who also look incredibly fast.
That being said, he’s taking nothing for granted heading into Sochi.
“It’s tough to predict too much. We can take comfort in the work we’ve done and hope it’s at a higher level than the rest of the guys. We know the course over there fairly well, but know it can be unpredictable with the weather,” McKeever said.
The ParaNordic courses are easier than what the Olympians faced, so McKeever won’t have the massive climbs to contend with.
“Our courses on the classic side are actually really gentle. They’ve dumbed it down for the Para Games,” McKeever said.
He won’t miss the media storm that surrounded him in 2010, where he was denied his chance to become the first Canadian para-athlete to compete in the Winter Olympics. This time, the pressure is on the Russians to perform on home soil.
“Home games are tough. One of the things (the Russians) will struggle with is expectations of home fans, politics and media. We had that in 2010. We deal with it, but it is a distraction. Those guys will have to put up more energy with handshaking and picture taking. That stuff is fun, but the home games are a big deal.
Mark Arendz will compete in both biathlon and cross-country skiing for Canada, where he’ll be a definite medal threat. His Paralympics begin on March 8 with the 7.5-km standing competition. He’ll look to build upon his 2010 results.
“I’m far more prepared in all aspects of the sport. I have four more years of experience. Four years of really solid training and learning how to race from the mental side,” Arendz said.
The 23-year-old will be a medal threat, but has to manage his energy since he’ll be competing in two disciplines.
“The results have been there over the last couple of years. It’s just a matter of replicating those results,” Arendz said.
Canmore’s Chris Klebl will compete in the sit ski events for Canada. A former U.S. sit ski athlete, Klebl moved to Canmore two years ago to compete for Canada. This will be his third Paralympic Games.
Head coach Robin McKeever said his team is in good shape heading into the games, so he’s excited about what Canada can accomplish.
“I’m always confident with the para guys. Brian is so far ahead of the next blind guys, I’m confident with that. Even if he’s not in great shape, and I think he is in pretty good shape, he’s happy and in good spirits going in,” Robin said. “Mark and Chris are looking pretty good too. They’ve had good seasons leading up.”
Colette Bourgonje, Caroline Bisson, Yves Bourque, Margarita Gorbounova, Andrea Bundon (guide), Sebastien Fortier, Erica Noonan, Robbi Weldon and Brittany Hudak will also compete in cross-country skiing and biathlon for Canada.
In other Paralympic news, the Canadian men’s sledge hockey team spent three days in the Bow Valley as part of a team building exercise. The team trained in sit skis at the Canmore Nordic Centre and played a game of hockey on Lake Louise.
The team was particularly impressed with the sit skis.
“That was the hardest sport I’ve ever tried in my life. I quit halfway through,” said team captain Greg Westlake.
