Day 6: Paralympic Winter Games preview

Things are heating-up in the wheelchair curling as teams enter the last day of round robin play, whilst attention turns to the technical events in Para Alpine Skiing.

China, Sweden, Canada and Slovakia are the current top four in curling, but the semi-finallists are too close to call.

In Para Alpine Skiing the men’s giant slalom highlights the programme on day six.

Para Alpine Skiing

The men’s and women’s giant slalom will take place over two consecutive days, beginning with the former on Thursday. The event will kick start the technical disciplines and follow the conclusion of the speed events which delivered historic golds for hosts China, amongst others.

Italy’s Giacomo Bertagnolli is the defending champion from the men's vision impaired with guide Andrea Ravelli, as well as the world title-holder. The Italian also won the super-combined on Monday, perhaps offering a glimpse into his technical form.

Johannes Aigner grabbed silver at the World Championships earlier in the season in the men’s giant slalom, guided by Matteo Fleischmann. He has also been a podium finisher so far at Beijing 2022.

In the men’s sitting Norway’s Jesper Pedersen has been in great form since winning gold at PyeongChang 2018. He recently picked up his first giant slalom world title, and grabbed super-combined and super-G gold earlier in the week.

The men’s standing will feature France’s Arthur Bauchet, already a winner of two titles so far in the downhill and super-combined. But China’s Liang Jingyi will be out to make more history after he became his country’s first male Paralympic champion in Para Alpine Skiing in the super-G.

Wheelchair Curling

Heading into the final day of round-robin play, China and Sweden share the top of the standings with six wins and two losses.

With two games left to play, both sides will be hopeful of a place in the semi-finals. Sweden will take on the USA and South Korea on Thursday whilst China play Latvia and Great Britain.

Canada only have one game left to secure themselves a spot in their fifth consecutive semi-finals, and sit third on the leaderboard. They play Norway in the first game of the day on Thursday.

With their record of five wins and three losses, Slovakia sit alongside Canada.

However, with all other teams below them except Norway having two games in hand, Slovakia could find themselves out of contention by the end of the round robin if they do not beat Switzerland and Estonia.