Bachinsky scores three Games medals

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This article was published 27/02/2019 (2129 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Regardless of how Jesse Bachinsky performed this week at the Canada Winter Games in Red Deer, Alta., he would have been an inspiration to others.

But the fact he’ll be bringing home three medals definitely doesn’t hurt, either.

Bachinsky, a 20-year-old Kenora, Ont., native, is a visually impaired cross-country skier for Team Manitoba. His week was highlighted by a gold-medal performance in the para-nordic standing 2.5-kilometre race, with a time of seven minutes 28.30 seconds, on Tuesday. He also won a bronze in the standing sprint on Wednesday, followed by another third-place result Thursday in the 5K race.

“It means a lot to me,” Bachinsky said moments after winning his final medal. “I train a lot of hours, and it’s an honour and privilege to be in the Canada Games.”

Due to his vision impairment, Bachinsky skis with a guide. Simon Lamarche, an Ottawa native, skis in front of Bachinsky. They communicate throughout the race on a two-way radio, with Lamarche telling Bachinsky what to expect next.

“The guide is basically the skier’s eyes,” Bachinsky said.

Bachinsky’s mom, Tamara, is a downhill ski coach. Five years ago, a friend of hers recommended that Bachinsky give para-nordic skiing a try.

“I gave it a shot, and the first time I put a pair of skis on, I fell in love with the sport immediately,” Bachinsky said.

The problem is, Bachinsky got so fast that they needed a guide who could keep up with him. That’s when Lamarche, who “basically grew up on skis,” was set up to work with Bachinsky. The pair have been racing together for three years.

“I just fell in love with racing again,” Lamarche said. “It’s way more fun than racing for myself. You’re a team, you have communication, you feel like you’re the pilot of a plane or something, especially when you’re going fast. It’s teamwork. You’re more connected, it’s more meaningful, you give, but you get way more back. It’s really fun, and I’d encourage anyone to get involved in it.”

Bachinsky has worked his way onto the para-nordic development national team, but his goal is to make the Canadian Paralympic team.

“It’s definitely a work in progress,” Bachinsky said.

“I’ll keep training for a few more years and I’ll stay dedicated and put a lot more hours into my training and see where I get. My dream is to go to Beijing in 2022.”

He hasn’t reached his ultimate goal yet, but he’s already come a long way in five years. Bachinsky won three silver medals at para nationals this past year, leading to him being named the Manitoba skier of the year.

Archer on target

Austin Taylor came into the Canada Winter Games aiming for a gold medal, and that’s exactly what he’ll be bringing home.

The 18-year-old Winnipeg native captured gold in archery’s individual male compound event on Thursday with a final score of 148.

“It definitely means a lot. I was able to shoot strong and make the shots I wanted to throughout all my matches,” Taylor said.

He’ll have an opportunity to bring home another medal, as the compound mixed-team matches go today. Taylor, who will partner with Bryanne Lameg, is hoping for a similar result.

“My goal is to just keep making strong shots and hopefully we come out with the win.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @TaylorAllen31