The extreme cold was an issue for competitors in the biathlon at the Saskatchewan Winter Games. (Terri Young/Saskatchewan Winter Games)

By CKOM News Staff

Deep freeze forces cancellation, postponement of some Sask. Winter Games events

Feb 23, 2023 | 1:48 PM

While the competition has been fiery at the Saskatchewan Winter Games in Regina, the frigid temperatures have made things difficult for some of the outdoor sports.

Amber Holland, the vice-president of the organizing committee for the Games, said biathletes weren’t able to compete in one race, with the final also being cancelled on Tuesday.

“I think the heartbreaking thing is we had such great weather before this week and now it’s smack-dab in the middle of the week in our Sask. Games. That’s Saskatchewan — we’re resilient and we will get through it and adjust,” Holland said Thursday.

Cross-country skiing was expected to start Thursday, but the -40 C wind chills forced the cancellation of races.

“They are hoping that Friday they can get back out in the afternoon to do some of the races with their older athletes, and Saturday is looking good, so hopefully we can squeeze in as much as we can before closing ceremonies,” Holland said.

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“(The athletes) are here for sport so we want to give them as much sport activity that we can. We are working hard with our cross-country ski folks to try and move and adjust to make sure they can get some races in and some activity out on their field of play.”

While the cancellations are disappointing for the event, Holland said it’s a reality athletes know they have to deal with when their sport takes place outdoors in the province.

“Those outside sports know exactly what they get with Saskatchewan weather so for them, it’s probably not too surprising. The coaches and the athletes know that that’s their sport and that’s the reality of it,” Holland said.

“The experience that they have here isn’t just about sport. It’s what brings them here, but (it’s also) the opportunity to meet athletes from across the province, experience an athlete village (and enjoy) the experience of a multi-sport games.

“We’re working hard if those athletes can’t compete to involve them in some other sports and entertainment at the village.”

This edition of the event has been a long time coming; these Games originally were set to take place in 2021 but were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Everyone would 100 per cent agree it was the best decision (to postpone). To see the athletes here and get this experience is why we all signed up to volunteer for this gig, so getting to see that was worth the extra planning,” Holland said.

“It’s a long-standing joke around here that we are the longest-serving organizing committee in the history of the Saskatchewan Games because we have been at it for almost three years.”

The event welcomes around 1,200 athletes from across the province to compete in a variety of events throughout the week.