Team Canada Curling skip. Laurier's Hollie Nichol to be Closing Ceremonies Flag Bearer

Friday, February 27, 2009

Closing Ceremonies Flagbearer

Team Canada chef de mission Peter Baxter is pleased to announce Wilfrid Laurier curler Hollie Nicol as the flagbearer for the closing ceremonies of the 24th Winter Universiade.

"What Hollie and the girls did this week is nothing short of remarkable," said Baxter. "Coming into the games with modest expectation of success, they showed they can compete at the highest level. Unfortunately, it didn't have the storybook ending they were hoping for, but that doesn't diminish what they achieved here this week."

Nicol and her team of Danielle Inglis, Laura Hickey, Hillary McDermott and Erica Butler swept the competition during the round robin portion of the event, finished the week with a 10-1 record and leave Harbin with a silver medal for their efforts.

"It's been a great week, and I'm honoured to have the responsibility of carrying the flag for Canada at the games," said Nicol. "I'm very happy to be given the opportunity to lead the athletes into the closing ceremonies."

The closing ceremonies are slated to begin at 8:00pm, right after the Winter Universiade men's hockey gold medal final between Canada and Russia. The men's hockey final is the last event of the 24th Winter Universiade, and Nicol and the rest of Team Canada's athletes will be at the game, supporting the Canadian men in their gold medal hunt.

"What a great way to end the games," said Nicol. "Watch the men follow the path of our women's hockey team and win gold - then lead the athletes into the closing gala."

Posted by Hodges at 6:57 PM 0 comments

Laurier curlers win Silver Medal at 2009 Universiade

Thursday, February 26, 2009

WCURL - Silver Lining as Team Canada Curlers come short vs China

Canada's Hollie Nicol faces world silver medalist Bingyu Wang of China for gold in womens curling.

Wang scored three in the third end -- led 4-2 at the 5th end break, but was held to a single in the 6th.

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Canada led China 5-2 playing the 7th end. In th 7th - Wang made a gorgeous tap-back to lie one partially buried - Nicol followed it down, scored her two and trails 5-4 playing in the eighth.
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In the 8th -- A Canadian kicker at the back corner of the 12-foot, forced Wang to play for a single rather than the blank -- wang made an open hit on Nicol's rock in the four foot. China scores one -- they leads 6-4 playing the ninth.
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China set up the ninth end fairly well -- with Wang sealing a lone Canadian counter in behind a wall of Chinese granite. Nicol was left with a draw to a thin sliver of the button for her two...good for weight, but tight for line. Canada scores one -- trails 6-5 playing the 10th without hammer.

China plays 10th end perfect and wins Gold. Laurier Girls represented Canada well and we are all proud of their silver medal finish.

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Opening Ceremonies Spectacle was Cultural Extravaganza

Playing Canada Beach Volleyball while waiting for the March in was popular and fun for all nations waiting!

The Harbin Organizing Committe pulled all the stops in a two hour Performance involving Dancers, Chinese and Russian pop artists, Gymnasts, and musicians for the athletes and spectators. In attendance was the Chairman of China, HU Jin Tao and was televised on National Television in China. Our cross Country skiers made the 3 hour train trek from Yabuli and the Biathon athletes from Maoershan were shuttle by bus an hour and a half to join the Canadain athletes in Harbin Village and they were not dissappointed. Walking in to the arena with McGill Women's Hockey Player Kathy Chartrand was a thrill for all the delagation. The Chinese people are so welcoming and we are stopped often for photographs .

I am starting to run out of Canada pins and even the Military Officers at the village gate know me by name "Canada Pin Leader".


FISU President Gerge Killian address at Opening


Flag bearers at Opening Ceremonies


Chairman Hu Jin Tao of China (fourth from the left


Laurier Representatives at the 2009 Winter Universiade

Bevan and Ironside Laurier Represent Team Canada in Hockey

Wilfrid Laurier University's Andrea Ironside (Collingwood, Ont.), and Golden Hawk Captain Andrea Bevan(Collingwood, Ont.), will be traveling to China as members of Canada's first Women's Hockey Team to compete at the FISU 2009 Winter Universiade, to be held from February 18-28th. (Note to self make sure you don't use your blackberry to take photos) The two Andreas' along with their other CIS Teammates may have to wait 20 or 30 years to have the perspective of looking back into the past to appreciate their accomplishment of making Canada's first FISU Games Women's hockey team and their experience they are this about to embark on come this Sunday. This will be Ironside's first time to put on the Maple Leaf Red and White jersey while Bevan had the opportunity to play on the Canadian under 22 Gold medal winning team in 2008 held in Germany. For now packing, medical booster shots, school work, practice and one more league game at Queen's on Friday prior to the long flight to Beijing then finally to Harbin (population 9 million, Temperature average in February -21 Celcius). In Harbin, our Canadian Mission staff will welcome the weary travelers, prior to a welcome ceremony by our Canadian Ambassador to China in the Athlete's village. The excitement and anticipation is gaining momentum!

Team Canada 2009 Universiade, Harbin China Welcome

Message from Team Canada’s Chef de Mission

Earning the privilege to represent and compete for Team Canada and Canadian University Sport in Harbin, China at the 2009 Winter Universiade is indeed, an outstanding achievement. Congratulations! The opportunity to measure your skills, talents, and personal goals amongst the World’s best student-athletes will truly be a lifetime experience. Take full advantage, by getting to know your fellow team mates, celebrating their successes, as well as enjoying the multicultural life within the village and the culture of Harbin.

Investing in People is the goal that our Team Canada Mission staff of coaches, managers, therapists, doctors and administrators is focused on. They are a team of dedicated professionals chosen to support, assist, and care for you and your Canadian team mates to ensure performance excellence and a lifetime of memories.

Thank you to the Organizing Committee and the citizens of Harbin for extending such gracious hospitality to the Canadian Team during the 2009 Winter Universiade. We look forward to the many educational experiences you will support by hosting this premier international university sport competition. The role that many have played in this investment in youth around the world is to be celebrated. Thank you.

On behalf of our entire mission staff, we wish all of you the best in your pursuit of personal growth through excellence at Harbin 2009.

Sincerely,

Peter Baxter

Chef de Mission