The final day of the Paralympic Games was huge – so huge that I’ve decided to split it into three parts. Part One is the final events in the morning at the Whistler Paralympic Park. Here Susannah witnessed the Cross-Country 1km Sprints. Here are some of the highlights – the winners and their Medal Presentations.

In the Men’s Sitting Category Russia continued their Cross-Country Success swooping Gold, Silver and Bronze.

Francesca Porcellato of Italy wins the Women’s Sitting Category.

Here she is sporting Italy’s only Gold Medal of the Games.

In the Men’s Visually Impaired Category Brian McKeever picked up his third Gold Medal of the Games and amazingly finished the race ahead of his guide and brother Robin.

Zebastian Modin of Sweden took bronze. At just 15 years old, Zebastian is the youngest competitor of the 2010 Paralympic Games and a great hope for future Golds for Sweden.

Brian congratulated Zebastian on his success.

Here are Brian and Zebastien with Silver Medallist Nikolay Polukhin of Russia.

In the Women’s Visually Impaired Category Germany’s Verena Bentele picked up her fifth Gold Medal.

Her she is riding high on the shoulders of her guide Thomas Friedrich.

Yoshihiro Nitta from Japan took Gold in the Men’s Standing Category.

Oleksandra Kononova of the Ukraine took Gold in the Women’s Standing Category….

….and Shoko Ota took silver, completing a good day for Japan.

“Mr Japan” was there to offer support

Lastly from Whistler Paralympic Park, here’s an idea of the life of a photographer – fabulous images and great experiences, but it’s not all glamour, it’s cold, wet and crowded. BTW – Susannah’s standing up taking this shot

Day Ten (Part Two) will feature the Closing Ceremony so stay tuned.

Day Eight Susannah had the early start up at Whistler Creekside for Alpine Skiing. The stands were full of supporters of all nationalities.

Here’s Canada’s Lauren Woolstencroft winning gold.

Next Susannah headed down to the Village to catch the Canadian Mint Exhibition at the Snow Dome (she got a Canadian Mint Pin too – I’m so jealous!).

Next was a Hospitality Staff Photo with Sumi.

Of course Susie and Sumi had to have a shot together too.

Meanwhile I spent the day in Vancouver. I attended the first Accessibility Summit with speakers talking about the Vancouver, London and Sochi Games and steps that were being taken to increase accessibility.

Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London Organising Committee for the 2012 Olympic Games (LOCOG) spoke about London’s efforts to increase accessibility to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. He also spoke of the “legacy” of the Games and what they hoped to achieve long term.

Next I documented Sir Philip Craven’s visit to Canada House in Yaletown’s Live City. This place is fantastic, with educational and fun interactive displays on sports and athletes.

And Sumi made it to Vancouver too!

On Day Seven I was lucky enough to be sent up to Whistler Paralympic Park, nestled in the Callaghan Valley where the Cross-Country Skiing and Biathlon were being held. It was a beautiful day so I went up early to catch some of the action and to just enjoy the view.

First up was the Men’s 10km Classic Standing Race. Athletes leave the starting point at regular intervals and then the athlete that finishes with the best time is the winner. A time adjustment is factored in depending on each athlete’s degree of disability. Some of the athletes’ strength and determination blew me away.

Haitao Du of China is one who amazed me, using just his legs to power himself along.

Here’s Ukrainian Grygorii Vovchynskyi just after finishing and finding he missed the silver medal by a mere 2 seconds.

Yoshihiro Nitta of Japan won gold. Here he is after his flower ceremony (a prelude to the evening’s medal presentation)…..

…and no, these are not Japan’s official photographers – just team mates and crew.

Next was the Men’s 10km Classic Visually Impaired Race with the amazing McKeever brothers. Brian, guided by brother Robin, stormed home to win gold almost 1.5 minutes ahead of silver medallist Helge Flo of Norway. Watching Brian and Robin together is like watching a dance – they are so in sync with every motion – it’s beautiful.

I was able to see the beginning of the Women’s 5km Sitting Race. Sit-skiers with a lower-body disability use a kind of sledge which is a specially built chair attached to a pair of skis. The skis are shorter than standard skis and are attached to the chair with a standard cross-country binding. The strength in these athlete’s upper bodies and arms is incredible. Remember, this is 5km!

As we had a huge break between events, we decided to split the day, so I went home after the Cross-Country while Susannah headed up to Whistler to capture the medal ceremonies in the evening. It was a great day for Canada, taking 3 golds.

Here is Brian McKeever with guide and brother Robin….

Lauren Woolstencroft (Women’s Downhill Standing)….

Day 6 began with a VIP visit to the Whistler Athlete’s Village. After the Games parts of this new complex are going to be affordable housing for locals and a training facility.

Here are a few shots both inside the rooms and out around the Village.

Each room had welcome cards for the Paralympic Resident with orinal designs from school kids. How cute is that?

Also on Day Six was the Canada-Japan quarter final ice sledge hockey game. Susannah was able to get some shots of this exciting game – Japan won, crushing Canada’s hopes of a clean sweep of hockey gold.

I also covered the evening’s medal ceremonies – Russia dominated here.

And that was Day Six.