More Medals in the Wind for Nova Scotia

There are more medals in the wind for Team Nova Scotia. Sailors are racing for medals at Saskatchewan Beach later today, Aug. 12, as the first week of Canada Games competition nears its end.

As competition got underway today, the team's medal count was 31 -- 12 gold, 10 silver and 9 bronze.

Paddlers brought in 28 of those medals. The last six were won in the 200-metre events Thursday -- the last day of canoe/kayak competition -- at Wascana Lake in Regina.

Joey Carter and Lyall Hatton won a gold in the men's K2 event. Hatton also picked up a bronze in the men's K1 event. Daniel Marks and Daniel Tattrie took the gold in the men's C2. Marks also won a bronze in the men's C1. A silver went to Caitlyn Dunphy and Nicole Brown in the women's K2 event.

At the Lawson Aquatic Centre, Special Olympics swimmer Krista Stockman won her second bronze medal, this time in the 50-metre backstroke.

The men's rugby team has also advanced to the medal rounds. The athletes won against top seed, Newfoundland, in a sudden death tie-breaking kickoff. Their game against Ontario today will determine whether they play in the bronze or gold medal game Saturday.

The women's basketball team won its game against Newfoundland 70-54. The team finished second in its pool and will play Alberta in the semi-final today. This game will determine whether Nova Scotia plays for bronze or gold Saturday.

In men's basketball, Nova Scotia won its final game in round robin against Prince Edward Island with a score of 78-59. Nova Scotia will play New Brunswick for fifth place.

In its final game on Thursday, the men's baseball team scored four runs against Saskatchewan. Team Sask scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the game 5-4. Team Nova Scotia placed eighth overall.

The tennis team played its last matches Thursday. The athletes secured a strong fifth-place finish.

Women's softball ended their Canada Games competition on a high note. A 6-3 win against Prince Edward Island put them as the top team among the Atlantic provinces.

The first week's athletes will fly home while the second week's teams fly to Regina Saturday night. Week two sports are athletics, diving, field hockey, rowing, men's soccer, men's softball, men's and women's volleyball, and wrestling.

Team Nova Scotia athletes are supported by 45 coaches, 23 managers, two boatmen and 18 mission staff. Four young artists are participating in the National Artists Program at the Games, bringing the team's total to 422 Nova Scotians.

Team Nova Scotia is funded by Nova Scotia Health Promotion. Sponsors include the Atlantic Lottery Corporation, Avis, McDonald's, ATV and the Chronicle Herald.

The Games run until Aug. 20.