With less than two months left until the commencement of the 2026 Paralympic Games in Italy, the Canadian wheelchair curling team is diligently preparing for the upcoming competition.
In a groundbreaking move this year, a virtual reality program developed in Alberta aims to enhance the team’s performance and increase their chances of clinching the gold medal.
According to Jennifer Dornstauder, the engineering technical lead of the project, the innovative program allows seated users to visualize their bodies within the virtual simulation, a unique feature not found in other existing programs.
Developed at Red Deer Polytechnic in late 2025, the VR technology eliminates various training constraints, enabling athletes to focus solely on tactics and strategy without being hindered by physical limitations.
Canada’s wheelchair curling team has consistently secured a podium finish at every Paralympics, showcasing their commitment to embracing innovation in the sport.
Unlike traditional curling, wheelchair curling is often likened to “chess on ice,” emphasizing strategic gameplay due to the absence of sweeping techniques.
Dana Ferguson, the mixed doubles coach for the national program, highlighted the significance of technology in enabling athletes to improve their shot accuracy and elevate their gameplay to new heights.
The VR simulation mirrors the competition venue, providing athletes like Collinda Joseph with a realistic virtual experience that aids in mental preparation and familiarity with the arena.
Joseph expressed enthusiasm for the integration of VR technology in wheelchair curling, noting the sport’s continuous evolution in equipment, data collection, and strategic decision-making.
Wheelchair curler Terry Fowler emphasized the adaptive and progressive mindset of parasport athletes, emphasizing their eagerness to embrace new technologies to enhance their performance.
Gil Dash, a member of Canada’s Paralympic team, acknowledged the pivotal role of cutting-edge technology in bridging the gap between training and competition readiness.
The development of the VR software was initiated following a collaboration between Jennifer Dornstauder and Curling Canada officials, culminating in the creation of the “Chess On Ice” simulator within a short span of four months.
The team encountered challenges in replicating the ice’s reflective properties and ensuring accuracy in physics, equipment dynamics, and wheelchair movements, given the developers’ limited experience in wheelchair curling.
Future enhancements to the VR software may include features like a heat map, multiplayer mode, and a functional scoreboard, with the potential to attract new athletes to the sport and offer a more immersive curling experience to a broader audience.
Overall, the integration of virtual reality technology in wheelchair curling signifies a significant step towards enhancing training methodologies, fostering innovation, and expanding opportunities for athletes in the para sports community.
