Members of the Canadian cross-country ski team. From left, Kyla Vanderzwet, Shelby Dickey, Emma Camicioli and Christel Pichard-Jolicoeur. Photo submitted

Hub Staff

The 28th Winter Universiade Games in Almaty, Kazakhstan have come to an end and two Saugeen Shores representatives, Kyla Vanderzwet and Kelly Gribbons, are now home with amazing memories and Gribbons carrying extra weight around her neck in the from of a silver medal from Women’s Ice Hockey.

Overall Canada received three medals at the games in Kazakhstan, one gold in Women’s Curling, a silver in Women’s Ice Hockey, and a bronze in Men’s Ice Hockey.

Vanderzwet, currently a Western University student, represented Canada in Cross-Country Skiing and competed five times in Kazakhstan: Ladies’ 5km Individual Classic - 47 17:50.1; Ladies’ 5km Pursuit Free - 45 19:24.5; Ladies’ Sprint Classic - 38 - Qualification; Ladies’ 15km Mass Start Classic - 31 - 53:32.6, Ladies; 3x5 Relay - 7th place.

Vanderzwet said that the race venue and organization of the games was “top notch” and that the “Kazakh people were amazingly friendly and excited to host”. She said that her teammates in cross-country skiing did well with several top 30 finishes and four out of five women qualifying for sprints. The skier said that the competition was small but deep and included some world cup racers, with Russian and Kasakh skiers dominating the races.

“We all seemed to take turns having good and not-so-good races, so it was exciting to see how we would all finish from one day to the next.” Vanderzwet said that she is well-versed in the “skating technique”, which allowed her to be the top Canadian woman in the individual skate race. She said her favourite race was the Team relay in which Canada placed 7th out of 10 teams; and that day was “exciting”.

“It was also a day with fast, fun conditions and we were in tight competition with the American girls,” said Vanderzwet, who sheepishly said they beat the neighbours to the south. She added that all teams showed good sportsmanship, and were friendly, with some countries trading gear at the end of the games.

Vanderzwet said she had the chance to see University of Guelph Hockey player Kelly Gribbons in the Athlete Village and caught her first game, where she said Gribbons scored a goal and had excellent plays. Gribbons hockey team lost out on the gold medal to Russia, losing 4-1 in the gold medal game after dominating during the round robin tournament.

Now that she's back in London attending Medical School, Vanderzwet said she may be taking time off from cross-country skiing as it is hard to train in London. “I'm super grateful though that I had the chance to compete this year. I can look forward to some different activities now; for example, I might take up running or dance again.”

Western University cross-country skier Kyla Vanderzwet of Saugeen Shores in Almaty, Kazakhstan during the 28th Winter Universiade Games. Photo submitted