Cross-country skiers from Zone 1 Kootenay secured gold in the mixed team relay on the final day of the Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games. The event wrapped up under clear skies at Black Jack Ski Club and Red Mountain. Zone 1 athletes also earned medals in individual races and freestyle skiing.
The Trail-Rossland 2026 BC Winter Games concluded its cross-country skiing competitions on February 28, 2026, with a 4x2km Mixed Team Relay Race at Black Jack Ski Club. The race featured participants from all eight zones and provided an exciting finish to the multi-sport event.
Zone 1 Kootenay emerged strong in the cross-country events, winning 10 medals overall. In the 2012 Team Mixed Relay, the team took gold with skiers Annika Heale and Annika Merg from Rossland, Philemon Hetu from Nelson, and Sam Poulin from Golden crossing the finish line together. Heale led the zone's success with three gold medals, including victories in the Free Technique Sprint and Interval Start Classic Technique events. Merg earned a bronze in the Interval Start and placed fourth in the Sprint. Poulin secured a silver in the Interval Start Classic Technique and a bronze in the Sprint, while Hetu won silver in the Sprint and bronze in the Interval Classic.
Additional highlights for Zone 1 included Emily Olineck from Rossland taking gold in the 2011 female Sprint, and Mika Saban from Rossland earning bronze in the same race. Mae Elson from Fernie claimed bronze in the 2012 female Sprint. In biathlon, Nara Bird from Kimberley won two silver medals in the female Sprint and Individual races.
Freestyle skiing at Red Mountain also yielded results for Zone 1, with Logan Altmann from Invermere winning gold in the men's moguls and Ben Scott from Panorama taking silver.
By 2 p.m., Zone 1 Kootenay had accumulated 18 medals: seven gold, five silver, and six bronze. Fraser River led the overall standings with 56 medals, followed by Vancouver-Coastal with 53. The BC Winter Games, established in 1978, promote sport and friendship among young athletes across the province. This marked the 33rd Winter Games and the fourth time hosted in the Trail-Rossland area.
