Yukon wins 2 medals before rain postpones ski races at Special Olympics Winter Games

It will takemore than a torrent of rain to dampen the spirits of Yukon athletes competing in the Special OlympicsCanada Winter Games in Corner Brook, N.L.,this week.

Today's skiand snowshoe events were cancelled because of the wet conditions.

"It's pouring rain, very much like we would see in Whitehorsein May," said Serge Michaud, executive director of Special Olympics Yukon.

"It's a little surreal."

Yukon's three cross-countryskiing athletes competed intheir first races yesterday, with strong results.Owen Munroe won gold in his division of the 5-kilometrerace, while Darby McIntyre took silver in his division of the same distance.

"To see Owen go up on that podium ... I've never seen him smile that big ever in my life," said an emotional Michaud.

Ernest Chua did not make the podium but skied his personal best in two races.

"I was told by our coaches that he was double poling up hills like they'd never seen him do it before," said Michaud.

Yukon's two figure skaters, Mike Sumner and Tijana McCarthy, compete tomorrow.

It's not yetclear if today's cancelledski races will go ahead. Special Olympics organizers put out a call for helpshovelling snow atthe cross-country ski venueonto the coursefrom a nearby area .

The forecast is looking favourable:Environment Canada is calling for flurries and below-zero temperatures on Friday and Saturday.

The last events of the Special Olympicsare scheduled for Saturday morning.