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Wind threatens Penticton torch lighting ceremony for BC Winter Games

PENTICTON – It wasn’t the cauldron they were anticipating on lighting, but there still was a torch lightning ceremony in Penticton.

Mother nature made things difficult for the B.C. Winter Games torch lighting ceremony. With heavy wind up to 60 kilometers per hour, it wasn’t possible to light the real cauldron, but winter games organizers came ready with a back-up — a giant LED torch — which still shone bright.

Penticton athlete Tavis Hamilton, who was one of the torch bearers, admitted it wasn’t easy keeping the torch lit when he carried the flame to the stage.

“We really, really had to slow down,” says Hamilton. “We had a plan coming out of the doors, getting to [where we needed] by jogging. It didn’t work out quite like that.”
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But despite the heavy wind, the show did go on.

“We’re 100 days away and we can’t wait until the end of February,” says Penticton mayor, Andrew Jakubeit. “The winter games coming to Penticton, it’s a great opportunity for the city.”

The games will run from February 25 – 28 and include 17 different sports. For more details on the event
click here.

– with files from Jay Janower

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