Local Man Jon Thurston Takes Home Bronze Medal With Canada's Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team

Team Canada Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team, with Jon Thurston of Dunsford, cinched a Bronze medal against Slovakia on Friday.

In an intense game aired Friday at 6:30 a.m. local time, Canada triumphed over Slovakia 8-3 to secure a spot on the podium.

With Canada leading 4-3 after seven ends and Slovakia lying two, Thurston, who belongs to the Peterborough Curling Club, knocked both Slovakia stones out on his first throw to leave Canada lying three.

Slovakia put up a good fight, though in the eighth and final end Thurston delivered two near perfect shots to secure the win.

This is a first Paralympic Medal for Thurston, who played as an alternate.

Canada has reached the podium in all five wheelchair curling tournaments since the sport was added to the Games in 2006.

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Newcomers To Peterborough Community Try Curling For The First Time

The Peterborough Curling Club generously donated its ice on Saturday (March 11th) for a Curling Day so newcomers could try their hand at this Canadian winter sport. About 40 newcomers participated in the event, which was a collaboration between the New Canadians Centre and Peterborough Curling Club.

About 10 volunteers from Peterborough Curling Club provided curling instructions and equipment for the new curling learners.

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

“The objective is to welcome newcomers to the community and introduce them to a very popular Canadian winter sport,” says Ken Featherstone of Peterborough Curling Club. “Newcomers can meet and socialize with other newcomers while learning a part of Canadian sports culture.”

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

“Some newcomers, especially if they do not speak English, can feel isolated,” says Anne Elliott, Community Coordinator at the New Canadians Centre. “The New Canadians Centre offers different opportunities and services to connect newcomers to the community and feel welcomed and at home. The curling day is ideal because it is Canadian, active and fun.”

Photo via New Canadians Centre Facebook page

To learn more about the New Canadians Centre, visit their website.

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