Members of the Peterborough Curling Club joined together to watch the gold medal Paralympic Curling competition featuring one of their members, Jon Thurston.
After a nail-biting match, members of the Peterborough Curling Club had something to celebrate when the Canadian Mixed Wheelchair Curling Team took the top prize.
Jon Thurston, a member of the club, featured prominently in the win that was far from certain.
Before his departure, Thurston predicted that China’s defending championship team was the one to beat, but his expectations of achieving that goal were not high.
The tables had turned in the Canadians’ favour during the event, as it reached the final contest undefeated. The Chinese team had recorded a single loss in the round robin, with an 8-1 record marred by a loss to Canada.
It was a tight game, with the score tied at 3 all at the eighth end. As the first few stones were thrown, the ice seemed to soften, making rock travels less predictable, adding to the anticipation. It came down to the wire, with Skip Mark Ideson launching the dramatic final shot with 2.8 seconds left on the clock to score the win.
Canada is the only country that has been on the podium in wheelchair curling at every Paralympic Games since it was introduced in 2006. This one was the fourth gold medal and sixth medal in total.
Skip Mark Ideson celebrated the victory the following day as one of two flag bearers representing Canada at the Paralympic Closing Ceremony on Sunday. Congratulations Team Canada!