Local athletes returned home from Italy with accolades from the 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games.
Three local competitors hit the slopes to show off their skills in cross-country and alpine skiing.
Layne Benoit earned gold in the cross-country 4x1k Relay, bronze in the 1k Free Technique, 6th place in the 2.5k Classical Technique, and 4th in the 2.5k Classical Technique.
“Layne had an amazing showing in cross-country skiing. His relay team won gold and he earned a personal best and won a bronze medal,” said Coach Misty Pagliaro.
Erin Thom shredded her way into a silver medal in advanced slalom, 4th in the advanced giant slalom, and 7th in the advanced super G.
Jesse Jensen may not have brought home any medals but he earned 5th place in the advanced Super G and the Advanced Slalom.
“I’m so proud of Jesse because he entered the competition as an intermediate, and after they evaluated his skiing, he was bumped up to the advanced category,” said Pagliaro.
“I’m super proud of all three of them.”
While the Winter Games may be over, the Cranbrook/Kimberley Special Olympics team’s training is not.
“Erin golfs and Jesse swims and plays bocce, so as soon as we wrap up winter sports, summer sports go into full swing,” said Pagliaro.
“We will be participating in the B.C. Summer Games in Prince George this summer.”
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