Eriksson wins another medal, Canada wins big in wheelchair curling and para hockey

By Canadian Press on March 9, 2026.

MILAN — Para skier Kalle Eriksson picked up his second medal of the Milan Cortina Paralympics on Monday while Canada’s wheelchair curling team and Para hockey squad posted big victories.

Eriksson and guide Sierra Smith raced to bronze in the men’s visually impaired super G in a time of one minute 13.29 seconds.

Eriksson, from Kimberley, B.C., and Smith, from Ottawa, won silver in their Paralympic debut in Saturday’s visually impaired downhill.

“Two medals is kind of unreal,” said Eriksson. “I didn’t think we would be able to accomplish that, especially in the speed events. I’m really happy with how we are performing.

“We are consistently going out there and putting it on the line.’’

Johannes Aigner of Austria won gold in 1:11.99, followed by Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli in 1:12.15.

Smith said she and her partner didn’t hold back.

‘’Kalle and I approached today trying to be as prepared as possible,’’ said Smith. ‘’We had a strong game plan going in but I think what took us over the top was going in with a fighting attitude.’’

Canada has seven medals (one gold, three silver, three bronze) through three days of competition.

China leads with eight gold and 17 total medals, followed by Ukraine with three gold and 10 total medals, and Austria with three gold and four total medals.

Also Monday, Canada’s para hockey team walloped Japan 14-0. Auren Halbert of Calgary scored four goals and had three assists.

Canada (2-0) outshot Japan 56-2.

In mixed team wheelchair curling, Canada improved to 4-0 with an 11-1 rout of Latvia. A steal of four in the fourth end put Canada up 9-0.

The Canadians stole two more points in the fifth, and the teams shook hands after Latvia managed just one point in the sixth.

Canadian team alternate Gil Dash of Kipling, Sask., made his Paralympic debut at age 57.

‘’It felt amazing,’’ said Dash, who played the lead position. ‘’The atmosphere here at the rink in Cortina was fantastic. Lots of people and loud. ’How can you not love curling when you experience something like this.’’

Canada, skipped by Mark Ideson of London, Ont., and featuring five-time Paralympian Ina Forrest of Spallumcheen, B.C., plays China and Sweden on Tuesday.

‘’It was epic to have Gil on the ice today,’’ said Ideson. ‘’It’s like I relived my first Paralympic Games through him. He was so good out there, calm and composed.

“Off the ice, he is just a fun guy to be around with some great stories.’’

Canadian head coach Mick Lizmore said Dash juggles many roles on and off the ice as the team’s alternate.

‘’He’s tracking tendencies of what we are seeing from ourselves and our opponents, as well as the ice conditions,” Lizmore said. “We’re a deep team which includes great athletes and it’s great to see Gil get into a game today.’’

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 9, 2026.

The Canadian Press