Based on world rankings, it’s going to be tough for Canada to make the podium on Day 5 of the Beijing Olympics.
However, some athletes have a shot at surprising.
Day 5 also marks the start of two of the bigger events for Canadian Olympic watchers: men’s curling and men’s hockey.
Here are five Canadian athletes to keep an eye on:
It’s #Olympic season and this year we’re cheering for #HCalum Ali Nullmeyer, who is at her first Olympics, representing @TeamCanada in Alpine Skiing! You can watch her in the Slalom that airs at 9 pm next Tuesday. #Beijing2022 #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/agITtLQ6b9
— Havergal College (@HavergalCollege) February 4, 2022
Ali Nullmeyer
Women’s slalom, alpine skiing, Run 1 at 9:15 p.m. ET (Tuesday), Run 2 at 12:45 a.m.
The 23-year-old Toronto skier had fifth- and sixth-place finishes earlier this season at World Cup slalom events. A fellow Toronto skier, Jack Crawford, is coming off fourth- and sixth-place showings in the men’s downhill and Super G, respectively. Not bad for a city nowhere near big mountains.
Evan McEachran
Men’s big air final, freestyle skiing, 10 p.m. ET (Tuesday)
McEachran finished 11th in qualifying to grab one of 12 berths in the final. The native of Oakville, Ont., was fifth in this event last year at the world championships.
Shout out to our very own hometown hero Tess Critchlow, from the top of Sun Run today! Watch: https://t.co/xUP6dcYpd0 #GoTessGo
— Big White Ski Resort (@BigWhite) February 5, 2022
Tess Critchlow
Women’s snowboard cross, 1:30-3 a.m. ET
The native of Big White, B.C., is ranked eighth in the world this season. Critchlow finished ninth in her Olympic debut four years ago in Pyeongchang.
Pascal Dion
Men’s short-track speedskating, 1,500 metres, quarterfinals at 6 a.m. ET, semifinals at 7:29 a.m. ET, final at 8:20 a.m. ET
The Montrealer fell in the quarterfinals of the 1,000 metres, a major disappointment for the world’s top-ranked skater in that event this season. He gets a chance at redemption here.
It’s getting close now! Our first game is Wednesday morning vs. Denmark . We’re ready, are you? Our full schedule is below. All times are NL time (half hour earlier in Labrador)#TeamCanada #BEIJING2022 pic.twitter.com/euzRFTAShI
— Team Gushue (@TeamGushue) February 8, 2022
Brad Gushue
Men’s curling, vs. Denmark, 7:05 a.m. ET
This is the tourney opener for the veteran Newfoundland and Labrador skip who won Olympic gold in 2006. Canada’s international curling standing has taken a hit recently – it’s up to Team Gushue to help turn it around.
