WHISTLER, B.C.—Canadian teen, Alison Mackie, posted her second-straight top-15 finish at the Nordic Junior World Ski Championships to lead the Canucks in the 10-kilometre individual start skate-ski race on Thursday at Whistler Olympic Park.
The 17-year-old continued her breakthrough week with a hard-fought battle in a pure endurance race, clocking a time of 28:36.0.
“I was trying to stick to the people in front of me and catch them, and that really motivated me to dig up the hills today,” said Mackie. “I just wanted to focus on each part of the course, and ski it as best as I can.”
The Edmonton-based skier paced herself in a group from 15-20th place throughout the hardest race on the 10-day slate. She finished with a hard push to the finish to secure the final spot in the top-15.
“I just tried to stay true to myself and focused on my process,” said Mackie. “I wanted to focus on my technique on the uphills and stay super controlled so I could push on the downhills as much as possible. I’m happy with how it went.”
The Norwegians snagged the top-two spots on the podium. Milla Andreassen masterfully managed her way around the 2010 Olympic venue, winning with a time of 26:55. Tuva Brusveen-Jensen was second at 27:01. Switzerland’s Marina Kaelin stopped the clock ta 27:11 for third.
Xavier McKeever was the top Canadian in the junior men’s 10-kilometre skate. The 19-year-old finished with a 28th-place time of 25:19.
Finland’s Niko Anttola was crowned World Champion in the 10-kilometre event, setting the time to beat at 23:35.
The Finnish Flash topped two Norwegian skiers. Lars Heggen claimed the silver with a time of 23:41.Thomas Mollestad was seven-seconds off the leading mark in third at 23:42.
Other Canadian results on the day included: Alexandra Luxmoore (Revelstoke, B.C.) in 29th at 29:25; Marlie Molinaro (Whistler, B.C.) was 39th at 30:15; and Maeve Macleod (Revelstoke, B.C.) placed 44th in the women’s race at 30:44.
Ottawa’s Luke Allan finished 31st at 25:32; Garrett Siever, of Kelowna, B.C., skied to 54th in a time of 26:35; and Edmonton’s Noah Weir-Chaba was 57th at 26:52.
More than 500 athletes – ages 16-23 – representing 37 countries are compete on Whistler’s ski trails and jumping towers over the next 10 days. It is just the third time Canada has played host to the Nordic Junior/U23 World Ski Championships. The Canmore Nordic Centre welcomed the next generation of Olympians in 1997. The World Juniors for ski jumping and Nordic combined were also held in Mont-Sainte Anne, Que. in 1979. It will be the first major international event at Whistler Olympic Park since the 2010 Games.
Race Schedule: The race schedule can be viewed here
Tickets:
Event spectator tickets are $5/person for a 1-day event ticket, or $25 for access on all event days. Kids ages 6 & under get free access! Those who have a regular Whistler Olympic Park day ticket or season pass for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing can spectate for free. Purchase tickets online here, or at the gate at Whistler Olympic Park.
Live Streaming:
The majority of the events are being livestreamed. More livestream information here
Nordiq Canada is the governing body of para nordic and cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Swix, Lanctôt Sports, Polar and Pembroke – along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at https://nordiqcanada.ca.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Chris Dornan
Media and Public Relations
Nordiq Canada
T: 403-620-8731