Over 100 million Chinese watch Canada vs China Women's Hockey Game.

I spoke with Christian Pierre FISU Communications Director who taled to me about television ratings on Chinese National Television Yesterday and he stated that over 100 million Chinese watched the Canada vs China Women's Hockey Gold medal game where Canada won 3-1. That blows Hockey Night in Canada television ratings out by more than 90 million. The silver medal win for China was its best in international competition and the women are national heros. Fans walked the stands holding blow up pictures of Chinese women Hockey players and the result will be a boost to women's hockey in China.

The Chinese television ratings for the Opening ceremonies were much larger however. Get this over 500 milliom viewers watch the spectactular cultural and entertainment opening!

To see Canada march in opening ceremonies on youtube got to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=usabBuwoSUE&feature=related

Those Laurier Student-Athletes did us all proud here and more viewers ended up seeing them than Don Cherry's Coach's Corner in a decade! Cheers Peter

Canada on Day 8

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Meet the Neighbours...

Team USA delegation at the Winter Universiade.

Another solid speed skating session

Canada's women wrapped up the individual events at the Heilongjiang Speed Skating Gym with the 1000-meter event.

View official results here - http://app.harbin2009.org/wu24info/pdf/sh/0413992E.PDF

Ste-Foy, Quebec's Justine L'Heureux posted another impressive finish at the games, skating the 2 1/2 lap circuit in a time of 1:19.59 - good enough for 9th place.

Despite dealing with a sore shoulder all week, Calgary's Kirsti Lay toughed out another good skate, finishing in a 16th place time of 1:21.38, one spot ahead of teammate Anastacia Bucsis and her clocking of 1:21.53.

Now skating out of Quebec City, Calgary's Shannon Sibold also turned in a solid performance, hitting the line in 1:23.68 - good for 24th spot.

With the individual events of the long track speed skating complete, all that remains is the women's team pursuit competition which will be held Thursday.

Canada's playoff partners determined

Canada's women's curling team will face Great Britain one of two Thursday semifinals. Great Britain defeated the Czech Republic in a Wednesday tiebreaker to advance to the medal round.

China and Russia will meet in the other semifinal.

Canada's Mens hockey team now knows who their semifinal opponent will be. Japan's surprising 6-3 win over the United States pushes the Slovaks into second spot in Pool B.

Canada will play Slovakia in one semifinal, while the Russians will meet Kazakhstan in the other.

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