An emerging Canadian ski racing phenom made headlines and collected some serious hardware in Prince Edward Island at the 2023 Canada Winter Games.
With steely resolve, a focussed attention to details and an obvious set of impressive skills, Roxy Coatesworth, from Golden, B.C., dominated the competition at Canada’s largest multi-sports games and claimed an impressive four gold medals in four events – super-G, giant slalom, slalom and ski cross. It was a clear sign that a star was unveiled on the slopes of Crabbe Mountain, New Brunswick.
Coatesworth was chosen as the British Columbia flag-bearer at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday. “’Being chosen to hold the flag is a huge honour,” said the 16-year-old with a big smile. “It’s amazing to be able to represent everyone back home and all the athletes around me. I’m proud that I can be looked upon as a good representative for BC.”
“I wouldn’t be here without all of my support from my family, friends, coaches, sponsors, and so many more,” says Coatesworth. “All of my results this week happened with them at my side.”
Overall, Team BC finished in second place in the medal standings (see table below) behind Quebec who claimed a whopping 151 medals. BC finished with 103 total medals, including 46 gold, 26 silver and 31 bronze medals. In total, 3,600 athletes across 20 sports and 175 events were contested at 18 venues. The event is massive.
The alpine team scored multiple top 15 finishes and five medals in total – including Maddox Johnson, of the Fernie Alpine Ski Team taking a bronze in men’s ski cross – and along with Coatesworth’s four-medal dominant performance, the alpine skiers from BC (full roster below) contributed to the overall success of the provincial totals.
The para skiers from Team BC also had a strong performance at the Games, taking home three medals – a gold, silver and bronze – over two events. Matthew Leach, from the Vernon Ski Club, and Sam Peters, of the Big White Racers finished second and third respectively in the men’s para giant slalom. Leach, 15, went on to win the men’s para slalom, capping an impressive few days of racing for the youngster from Lumby, B.C.
“We went there with the goal of being the best team in all aspects, not only on the hill, but also off the hill, being respectful, engaging, supportive and energized,” said BC Alpine VP Johnny Crichton. “Our team delivered and it was noticed by the rest of the country. Well done, team!”
Riley Clark 
Roxy Coatesworth 
Roxy Coatesworth, super-G gold 
Roxy Coatesworth in the women’s giant slalom
Team BC – Men
- Douglas Hunter, Sun Peaks Alpine Club
- Maddox Johnson, Fernie Alpine Ski Team
- Marek Novak, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Nick Kokot, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Gavin Santoro, Apex Ski Club
- Sacha Jirasek, Big White Racers
- Avery Tymchyna, Sun Peaks Alpine Club
Team BC – Women
- Roxy Coatesworth, Black Dogs Ski Club
- Hannah Jensen, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
- Madison Sherriff, Black Dogs Ski Club
- Rylie Clark, Whitewater Ski Team
- Amy Milne, Vernon Ski Club
- Eva Wyse, Apex Ski Club
- Maika Lennox-King, Whistler Mountain Ski Club
Team BC – Para
- Matthew Leach, Vernon Ski Club (Guide: Chase Ferguson)
- Rowan Wiens, Vernon Ski Club
- Sam Peters, Big White Racers
Coaches
- Leslie Firstbrook – Head Coach
- John Newton – Assistant Coach
- Soleil Patterson – Assistant Coach
- Paul Coatsworth – Ski Technician
Medal table
| Contingent | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 57 | 43 | 51 | 151 |
| Ontario | 32 | 43 | 33 | 108 |
| British Columbia | 46 | 26 | 31 | 103 |
| Alberta | 20 | 36 | 36 | 92 |
| Nova Scotia | 7 | 7 | 10 | 24 |
| Saskatchewan | 3 | 7 | 10 | 20 |
| Manitoba | 6 | 6 | 7 | 19 |
| New Brunswick | 2 | 4 | 10 | 16 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 |
| Yukon | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Prince Edward Island | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Northwest Territories | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Nunavut | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Lead photo supplied by Rejean Pitre.