News release

Nova Scotia Off to Winning Start

Office of Health Promotion (Jan. 2003 - May 2005)

About 35 centimetres of snow, freezing rain, high winds, and thunder and lightening didn't stop Team Nova Scotia from getting off to a winning start at the 2003 Canada Winter Games in Bathurst-Campbellton, N.B.

The women's curling team won its first two games, defeating Manitoba 14-1 on Sunday, Feb. 23, and Prince Edward Island 6-5 on Monday, Feb. 24. The team will play Newfoundland and Ontario today, Feb. 25.

The curling team is led by skip Paige Mattie of Tracadie, who gave a strong performance at the junior national curling competitions earlier this month where she was the mate for her sister Robyn's team.

"We don't have any expectations for the Games in terms of placing because we don't know the other teams very well," said Ms. Mattie. "We're just playing our best and enjoying the atmosphere of the Games with athletes from so many different sports all around."

Cross-country skiing and speed skating got under way on Monday in Charlo. All seven members of the cross-country team achieved personal bests during the mass start classic events. Some speed skaters also achieved personal bests in the 1,500-metre race in Campbellton.

In Beresford on Monday, the ringette team played its first game, losing to Manitoba 7-2. Team Nova Scotia flag bearer Nicole Doucet of Bedford tended the goal and gave a strong performance, blocking 62 shots on her net. Jane Morse of Berwick and Alana Zinck of Cole Harbour scored the team's two goals. The team will play Ontario today.

"Overall, our girls played a strong game," said coach Jennifer Grabmann of Hammonds Plains. "We're relieved to have the first game over and ready to build on what we did well."

Men's hockey got under way for Nova Scotia on Monday night in Bathurst with a game against Ontario. The score was almost tied after the second period, but Ontario took the lead and won 8-5. Sidney Crosby of Dartmouth scored three goals while Dominic Tweed of Halifax and Nathan Welton of Dartmouth scored one each. The team goes up against Manitoba in Campbellton today.

Nova Scotia's badminton has completed singles, doubles and mixed doubles competitions. Joey Scott of Granville Ferry and Fiona Morris of Wolfville advanced to the quarter finals but lost to Alberta for a sixth place finish. The athletes will begin team competitions on Feb. 26.

Today, the province's five rhythmic gymnasts will begin their events. Team Nova Scotia will continue competitions in all sports but badminton, which will resume on Wednesday, Feb. 26.