The Special Olympics Yukon Team 23 had a very successful weekend at the B.C. Provincials this past weekend.

All eight athletes medalled at the Games, which were held in Kamloops Feb. 2-5.

The Games were a qualifier for the Special Olympic Canada Winter Games in Calgary in 2024.

Special Olympics Yukon is still awaiting official results on who qualified for the national games.

Special Olympics Yukon Program Director Andrew Elines said the purpose of the Games was twofold: to provide meaningful competition, as well as qualifying for the Canada Games in Calgary.

As for how the games went "I'm overjoyed," enthused Elines. "The trip went off without a hitch in terms of travel and logistics. Our team had great chemistry and (was) full of happiness, laughter and emotion in general.

"In regards to sporting performances, everyone performed to the best of their abilities. We don't measure achievement based off of medals necessarily. It was still so amazing to see all eight of our athletes come home with a medal, or multiple medals in the case of the cross country skiers.

"I'm super proud of this team. Between the athletes and the coaches and the mission staff, too, that assisted them in achieving their successes on and off the field of play."

Elines was asked if anything stood out for him at the Games.

"Just being back in that environment, seeing all our athletes go and represent the territory and just be in their element. They all love competing in sport. That's why they're part of this organization and being able to see that in this capacity – there were over 500 athletes at these Games and them being a part of that was just great."

Elines added "A special thanks to Special Olympics B.C. and the city of Kamloops. It was such a great event … it was a great time overall."

Here are the results for Team 23, sponsored by Urban Realty Group:

Cross Country Skiing (All Team 23 skiers competed using the classic technique):

Ernest Chua

• SILVER in the 500m
• SILVER in the 2.5km
• 6th in the 1km

Darby McIntyre

• GOLD in the 5km
• GOLD in the 10km
• SILVER in the 7.5km

Owen Munroe

• SILVER in 7.5km
• SILVER in the 10km
• BRONZE in the 5km

Figure Skating, Men's Level 3:

• SILVER - Mike Sumner

Curling:

• BRONZE

Lead - Carrie Rudolph
Second - Brandle Bruneau
Third - Edward Kaye
Skip - Gaetan Michaud

The Coaches and Mission Staff for Special Olympics Yukon Team 23 consisted of:

Danny Guhl – Interim Head Coach, Cross Country Skiing
Deb Sumner –Head Coach, Curling
Mike Spicer – Interim Coach, Curling
Tanya Sage – Head Coach, Figure Skating
Andrew Elines – Chef de Mission
Mikayla Duncan – Team Manager/Mission Staff Cross Country