Athletes are trying to glide towards medals at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy.

Team Canada has 90 athletes competing in five winter sports. There are 24 coaches with the squad in Italy, along with 14 leadership members and five mission staff.

The Special Olympics World Winter Games is the planet's largest multi-sport and humanitarian event. More than 1,500 athletes from 102 delegations will compete in eight sports in an international demonstration of inclusion, acceptance, and unity.

Vernon, B.C.'s Danielle Pechet is competing for Team Canada in snowshoeing, and had her first race Tuesday, March 11, the preliminary round of the 800 metre event. She clocked fourth overall in a time of 5 minutes 27.21 seconds, 11 seconds behind the third-place finisher, Nga Man Ha of Hong Kong.

Pechet's Canadian teammates Annick Leger and Meghan Josling, both from Ontario, finished one-two in the race.

There's more preliminary competition Wednesday, and the medal events begin Thursday.

Vernon's Les Sigal is one of six coaches for Canada in cross-country skiing at the Games. There are 12 Canadian athletes, half from B.C.

Krissy Krnasty of Vernon is the Team Nurse for Team Canada at the Games.