Canadian Paralympic Committee Celebrates One Year to Go to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games

 OTTAWA, Ont., Aug. 7, 2014 – With today marking one year to go to the Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games, the Canadian Paralympic Committee celebrates the spotlight shining on athlete hopefuls training for Toronto.

 “Are You Ready?” asks the Toronto2015 Parapan video released this morning, featuring the intense training of three Canadian Parapan Am hopefuls: swimmer Danielle Kisser, cyclist Jaye Milley and wheelchair basketball player David Eng. The “sizzle reel” features the athletes practicing their skills in edgy, innovative ways and aims to leave viewers thinking differently about how they define sport.

The Are you Ready? video can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/8fz1ePUo00g

“Are we ready? Yes we are,” said Team Canada Chef de Mission Elisabeth Walker-Young. “In the life of a high performance athlete, one year is a drop in the bucket. Now the time to tweak, test the waters and see what they can demand of themselves mentally and physically. Danielle, Jaye and David are great examples of the athleticism and character of our Parapan Am athletes and we wish them and all Toronto 2015 hopefuls the best in their final year of preparation for the Games.”

Meet the athletes in the “Are You Ready?” video (full bios available at Paralympic.ca/athletes):

• Jaye Milley (Calgary, Alta.) Age 23, Milley is a quadruple amputee cyclist who says, “Can’t is not a word in my vocabulary.” A World Cup medallist, Milley competed at the 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games and the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
• David Eng (Montreal, Que.) Age 39, Eng is bilingual and a veteran wheelchair basketball player who has won medals at three Paralympic and two Parapan American Games, including gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and bronze at the 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games. (Montreal, Que.) 
• Danielle Kisser (Delta, B.C.) (Delta, B.C.) Age 17, Kisser raced in eight swimming events at the 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games, winning bronze in the 100-metre breaststroke. Kisser was born with achondroplasia (a common form of dwarfism).

“The Parapan Am Games is a world-class competition and the Toronto 2015 Games will feature the best athletes from the Americas and the Caribbean,” added Walker-Young. “The Games offer a chance to showcase the incredible athletic ability of athletes and to challenge people’s attitudes toward sport.

“The Parapan Ams mark an important stepping stone towards the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Spectators will get to witness the best of the best competing on home turf.”

Silver medal is “icing on the cake” for the two riders who were focussing on the time trial this weekend

(Cantimpalos, Segovia, ESP – July 26, 2014) The first set of road races took place today at the 2014 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup Finals in Spain, and Canada’s men tandem formed by Daniel Chalifour and Alexandre Cloutier tandem rode to a silver medal among a large peloton of 34 tandems in the category.

“We are very satisfied with the performance in the road race, especially since we were aiming for the TT, where we finished fourth just 19s off the top of the podium. The road race medal today is just the icing on the cake,” said pilot Alexandre Cloutier.

Canada’s Para-Cycling Program Director, Arnaud Litou, was pleased with the efforts of his troops today, who raced in grueling conditions. “The conditions were extremely difficult today, with temperatures hovering around 30deg Celsius in the morning, and a sun that was relentless. Canada posted some great performances within four weeks of the World Championships in Greenville, South Carolina.

The World Cup Finals end tomorrow with the remaining road races for the C, as well as a team relay race.

RESULTS – ROAD RACES – 2014 UCI PARA-CYCLING WORLD CUP FINALS

Women – BVI

1. TURNHAM, Lora / HALL, Corrine (GREAT BRITAIN) 2:15:48

2. PODKOSCIELNA, Iwona / WNUCZEK, Aleksandra (POLAND) 2:16:50 +1:02

3. BENITEZ GUZMAN, Josefa / MASDEU CORT, Judit (SPAIN) 2:17:06 +1:18

=====

8. RYAN, Shawna / LEMIEUX, Audrey (CANADA) 2:19:33 +3:45

Women H3

1. BRELSFORD DANA, Alicia (USA) 1:07:16

2. KALUZA, Renata (POLAND) 1:11:15 +3:59

3. DARKE, Karen (GREAT BRITAIN) 1:11:34 +4:18

=====

8. ADAM, Myriam (CANADA) 1:31:25 +24:09

Men – BVI

1. AVILA RODRIGUEZ, Ignacio / FONT BERTOLI, Joan (SPAIN) 2:25:09

2. CHALIFOUR, Daniel / CLOUTIER Alexandre (CANADA) 2:25:14 +0:05

3. JANOVJAK, Vladislav / MITOSINKA, Robert (SLOVAKIA) 2:25:18 +0:09

=====

12. CARRIER, Alexandre/ LAFLAMME, Aroussen (CANADA) 2:28:12 +3:03

Men H2

1. GROULX, William (USA) 1:06:55

2. MAZZONE, Luca (ITALY) 1:06:57 +0:02

3. HINDRICQ, Christophe (BELGIUM) 1:10:13 +3:18

=====

6. LABBE, Robert MH2 CANADA 01:18:21 +11:26

Men H3

1. PODESTA, Vittorio (ITALY) 1:37:47

2. FRANEK, David (FRANCE) 1:37:51 +0:04

3. FREI, Heinz (SWITZERLAND) 1:38:03 +0:16

=====

9. MOREAU, Charles (CANADA) 1:41:49 +4:02

15. HYNDMAN, Alex (CANADA) 1:53:36 +15:49

DNF. BEGGS, Mark (CANADA)

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One last push for Canada’s para-cyclists as they race for the World Cup jerseys

(Ottawa, ON – July 23, 2014) The 2014 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup continues this weekend with its final event of the series taking place in Cantimpalos, Spain. Competitors from all around the world will have a chance to earn coveted points for Paralympic Games qualification process, and top the standings to win the 2014 World Cup jerseys.

Canada has two World Cup leaders wearing the white jersey entering this final race of the World Cup season with Marie-Eve Croteau of Québec, QC and Shelley Gautier of Toronto, ON, both racing tricycles.

Marie-Claude Molnar of St-Hubert, QC is tied in second place, so good performances in Spain could make a difference and possibly bring her atop the standings to win the jersey. Molnar finished second in the time trial and third in the road race in Castiglionne, Italy, and is ready to improve her ranks this weekend.

The event also marks the first World Cup race for a few newly identified Canadian para-cyclists. The recently formed tandem of Shawna Ryan of Saskatoon, SK and pilot Audrey Lemieux of Québec, QC, who won the silver medal at the Canadian Championships, will race for the first time at the World Cup level.  Alex Hyndman, a hand cyclist from Blenheim, ON, will make his World Cup debut in Spain. In the C class, the two-time Canadian Champion Michael Sametz of Calgary, AB will test his skills against the best in the World, as will Ross Wilson of Sherwood Park, AB.

The event will serve as the last major international event prior to the World Championships, to take place in the Greenvile, South Caroline (USA) starting August 28.

The second and final event of the 2014 World Cup season takes place from July 25 to July 27.

TEAM CANADA – 2014 UCI PARA-CYCLING WORLD CUP FINALS

• Marie-Ève CROTEAU (T2 – Québec, QC) TT, RR
• Shelley GAUTIER (T1 – Toronto, ON) TT, RR
• Marie-Claude MOLNAR (C4 – St. Hubert, QC) TT, RR
• Nicole CLERMONT (C5 – St. Denis de Brompton, QC) TT, RR
• Myriam ADAM (H3 – St Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC) TT, RR, Team Relay
• Shawna RYAN (BVI – Saskatoon, SK) TT, RR
• Audrey LEMIEUX (Pilot – Montreal, QC)
• Jaye MILLEY (C1 – Calgary, AB  TT, RR
• Aroussen LAFLAMME (Pilot – St Augustin de Desmaures, QC) TT, RR
• Alexandre CARRIER (BVI – Bromont, QC) TT, RR
• Alexandre CLOUTIER (Pilot – St Antoine de Tilly) TT, RR
• Daniel CHALIFOUR (BVI – Mont Laurier, QC) TT, RR
• Robert LABBÉ (H2 – Quebec, QC) TT, RR, Team Relay
• Charles MOREAU (H3 – Trois-Rivières, QC) TT, RR, Team Relay
• Mark BEGGS (H3 – Montreal, QC) TT, RR, Team Relay
• Ross WILSON (C1 – Sherwood Park, AB) TT, RR
• Michael SAMETZ (C3 – Calgary, AB) TT, RR
• Alex HYNDMAN (H3 – Morpeth, ON) TT, RR, Team Relay

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Canada ends opening World Cup event of 2014 with eight medals

(Castiglione Della Pescaia, ITA – May 11, 2014) Jaye Milley of Calgary, AB and Marie-Claude Molnar of St-Hubert, QC both finished third of their respective road race at the Para-cycling Road World Cup in Castiglione Della Pescaia, Italy.

Jaye Milley was among a group of five riders in the final sprint for the first place, after 1:41 of intense racing. Milley, along with three German and a Spanish rider, broke away from the main group and managed to cross the line together. Ultimately after 65-km of racing, Milley crossed the finish line in third place, behind Pierre Senska and Michael Teuber, two German riders.

“Today’s race was absolutely phenomenal! There was some incredible racing and all the guys at the line pushed the limit to the max. It was grueling, fast and utterly leg destroying. To say the least everyone brought there A-game and to be able to stand on the podium with the very best Para-Cyclists in the world for the second time this year is truly a blessing,” said Milley. “While this event was a tremendous success there was also a lot that I personally learned and will be coming home with lots to work on in preparation for the rest of the year so that I can push the limits even farther to bring home a medal for Canada at the 2014 Road World Championships.

Marie-Claude Molnar, who won a medal at the last Paralympic Games in London, was among the group of six riders in her race. Despite fighting sickness in April, hindering her training for this event, Molnar stayed composed and rode to the third place of the 65-km race, winning her second medal of the event after taking silver in the time trial on Friday.

“Considering the new groupings, the race was much more difficult and strategic. In my instance, the race went really well for me, despite a few mistakes of my part. As soon as I get back home, I will immediately go to work to gain the physical requirements needed to stay among the best. The competition is getting better and stronger, and I will have to race more frequently to gain experience in pelotons,” said Molnar.

Canada ended this World Cup event in seventh place of the Nations Ranking, with eight medals – four gold, one silver and three bronze.

RESULTS – 2014 UCI PARA-CYCLING ROAD WORLD CUP – CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA, ITALY

WOMEN – C4

1. MORELLI, Shawn [USA] 1:47:29

2. AMICI, Alessandra [ITALY] +4:29

3. MOLNAR, Marie-Claude [CANADA] +9:18

MEN – C1

1. SENSKA, Pierre [GERMANY] 01:41:26

2. TEUBER, Michael [GERMANY] st

3. MILLEY, Jaye [CANADA] st

WOMEN – C5

1. HARKOWSKA, Anna [POLAND] 1:38:30

2. HEINRICH, Samantha [USA] +5:40

3. BRACHTENDORF, Kerstin [GERMANY] +10:37

=====

DNF. CLERMONT, Nicole [CANADA]

MEN – B

1. OOST, Rinne / VAN LEEUWEN, Cor [INDEPENDENT] 2:35:37

2. PIZZI, Ivano / PIZZI, Lucca [ITALY] +0:02

3. POLAK, Marcin / LADOSZ, Michal [POLAND] +0:07

=====

12. CHALIFOUR, Daniel / CLOUTIER, Alexandre [CANADA] +0:50

15. CARRIER, Alexandre /LAFLAMME, Aroussen [CANADA] +4:30

MIXED TEAM RELAY

1. USA-1 [GROULX, William / LACHENAUER, William / DE LOS SANTOS, Alfredo] 37:39.9

2. ITA-1 [SETTE, Pautaleo / MAZZONE, Luca / ZANARDI, Alessandro] 38:03.2

3. BEL [DEBERG, Jean Francois / HINDRICQ, Christophe / VAN DE STEENE, Jonas] 38:46

=====

6. CAN [LEDO, Mark / MOREAU, Charles / LABBE, Robert] 40:31.9

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Croteau and Gautier dominate opening World Cup time trial

(Castiglione Della Pescaia, ITA – May 9, 2014) Canadian para-cyclists Shelley Gautier of Toronto and Marie-Ève Croteau of Québec City opened the 2014 UCI Para-Cycling Road World Cup on an excellent note, riding towards the top of the podium in Castiglione Della Pescaia, Italy.

In total, four Canadian athletes stepped on the podium at the end of the day, with Marie-Claude Molnar winning silver and Nicole Clermont taking the third place and bronze medal.

Croteau, two-time silver medallist from the 2013 Worlds and previous World Champion, is continuing her return to full performance readiness after a crash that occurred prior to the Paralympic Games in 2012. She rode her first time trial race of the 2014 World Cup tour to a time of 28:05.95, showing a 1:22 lead on her closest competitor.

“This was by far the best time trial of my life; certainly the best managed one. I was feeling really good before the start. My right leg is performing really well, producing lots of power and velocity that ensure my pedalling is good,” said Marie-Ève Croteau, after the race. “I am still in catch-up mode, but this result means I am finding back my ways and performance from before my crash prior to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. I still have lots of work to accomplish, but it certainly bodes well.”

In the women’s T1 race, Gautier continued her World Cup success in this opening race of 2014. The 2013 World Cup Champion stopped the clock at 35:09.18 to take the win. Gautier dominated the race, finishing the race with an astonishing seven-minute gap over the silver medallist.

“I have trained hard and mentally prepared for this race. I am learning how to ride faster for longer periods of time,” said Gautier after the race. “I am proud to be riding faster than last year. Thanks to my coaches and the members of my team who helped me prepare for this World Cup race.”

Marie-Claude Molnar of St-Hubert posted the second fastest time among the women C4 category. Molnar crossed the finishing line with a time of 23:51.59, showing a 1:21 deficit over winner Shawn Morelli of the United States of America. The result is an encouraging sign for Molnar who has battled illness in most of April which hindered her preparations.

In the women C5 time trial, Nicole Clermont of St-Denis-de-Brompton finished in third place, crossing the finish line with a time deficit of 1:31 over the winner, Poland’s Anna Harkowska. The strong result for Clermont is her second career podium and her career best time trial performance.

Robert Labbé of Québec raced to the fastest time of the H1 category, but a decision was taken to reclassify Labbé to the H2 category. The reclassification led to his result being transferred to the H2 standings, the ninth place of his new category.

The competition continues Saturday and Sunday with the road races and team relay for all categories.

RESULTS – 2014 UCI PARA-CYCLING ROAD WORLD CUP – CASTIGLIONE DELLA PESCAIA, ITALY

WOMEN – T2

1. CROTEAU, Marie-Eve [CANADA] 28:05.95

2. MAJUNKE, Jana [GERMANY] +1:22.58

3. DE HEIDE, Lisette [INDEPENDENT] +4:14.56

WOMEN – T1

1. GAUTIER, Shelley [CANADA] 35:09.18

2. DOLEZALOVA, Karolina [CZECH REPUBLIC] +7:08.71

3. RAVASCO, Johanna [INDEPENDENT] +29:37.77

WOMEN – C4

1. MORELLI, Shawn [USA] 22:29.98

2. MOLNAR, Marie-Claude [CANADA] +1:21.61

3. AMICI, Alessandra [ITALY] +3:23.18

WOMEN – C5

1. HARKOWSKA, Anna [POLAND] 20:54.87

2. HEINRICH, Samantha [USA] +1:16.92

3. CLERMONT, Nicole [CANADA] +1:31.42

MEN – C1

1. TEUBER, Michael [GERMANY] 21:36.75

2. MENDEZ, Juan Jose [SPAIN] +30.77

3. WINKLER, Erich [GERMANY] +53.09

=====

7. MILLEY, Jaye [CANADA] +2:17.26

MEN – H3

1. PODESTA, Vittorio [ITALY] 21:58.74

2. BERSET, Jean-Marc [SWITZERLAND] +29.67

3. FREI, Heinz [SWITZERLAND] +35.10

=====

8. MOREAU, Charles [CANADA] +1:12.51

MEN – B

1. AVILA RODRIGUEZ, Ignacio / FONT BERTOLI, Joan [SPAIN] 35:50.29

2. PIZZI, Ivano / PIZZI, Lucca [ITALY] +5.69

3. VENGE BALBOA, Christian / LLAURADO CALDERO, David [SPAIN] +14.19

=====

9. CHALIFOUR, Daniel / CLOUTIER, Alexandre [CANADA] +1:49.93

15. CARRIER, Alexandre / LAFLAMME, Aroussen [CANADA] +3:09.16

MEN – H4

1. JEANNOT, Joel [FRANCE] 21:30.86

2. WILK, Rafal [POLAND] +4.09

3. FRUEHWIRTH, Thomas [INDEPENDENT] +26.77

=====

13. LEDO, Mark [CANADA] +1:50.25

MEN – H2

1. ROHAN, Mark [IRELAND] 25:03.77

2. MAZZONE, Luca [ITALY] +19.81

3. GROULX, William [USA] +31.17

REC/9. LABBE, Robert [CANADA] 29:12.86

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