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February 26, 2022

Xavier McKeever and Jasmine Drolet Shine in Top-10 at Nordic World Junior Ski Championships

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LYGNA, Nor.—Canada’s Xavier McKeever and Jasmine Drolet battled to top-10 finishes in the men’s and women’s short distance classic-ski individual start races at the Nordic World Junior Ski Championships on Friday.

McKeever, of Canmore, Alta., rattled off his third top-10 finish in as many races this week with a sixth-place finish, while Drolet (Revelstoke, B.C.) posted her top result at the ultimate event for junior cross-cross-country ski athletes by finishing eighth. Both athletes clocked the top-time in their legs during the team relay events on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old McKeever was on the podium hunt again in Lygna, Norway clocking a time of 27:08.2 in the men’ 10-kilometre event.

“I’m happy with how things went today. I have been anticipating this race for a while now so for it to go well was amazing.” said McKeever. “I approached it with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude. My plan was to start hard and hold a high pace for as long as possible. I had a great first lap and then started to get a bit tired for lap two, but I did get a good ride from the Finnish skier who finished second so was able to hang onto him until the end.”

Competing in his third World Juniors at just 18 years old, McKeever is looking to become the fourth Canadian ever to win an individual medal at the Nordic World Junior Ski Championships. He was fifth in 30-kilometre race, and fourth in the relay in his two previous starts this week.

“I am stoked to be in the top-10 again. I was getting splits that I was close to the podium in the first lap, but I just couldn’t keep the high pace that I started with. Honestly, I feel like the podium is still a fair bit away, but today just motivates me more to make the steps toward being able to contend for a medal,” added the composed teen, who was disappointed with his results at the 2021 World Juniors.

“I have been able to build my confidence over the course of this season. After last year, it was instrumental for me to refocus on putting in the hard work each and every day, which I think has helped me race with more confidence than ever before.”

McKeever, whose dad Robin is en route to Beijing, China to lead Canada’s medal-winning Paralympic Team that includes his Uncle Brian, was 30 seconds off the podium pace.

Russsia’s Saveliy Korostelev won the gold with a time of 26:15.8. Finland’s Niko Anttola finished 21.4 seconds back in the silver-medal position at 26:37.2. Alexander Ivshin, also of Russia, was third at 26:38.0.

Three other Canadians were in the men’s field. Max Hollmann (Thunder Bay, Ont.) skied to his first top-20 finish of the week in 17th at 27:44.6. Derek Deuling (Whitehorse) placed 19th for his second top-20 result, clocking a time of 27:47.3. Calgary’s Tom Stephen was 26th at 27:55.8.

Jasmine Drolet also had one of the strongest results ever by a Canadian woman in the World Championship five-kilometre classic-ski race. The 19-year-old consistently posted splits in the backend of the top-10 throughout her one loop on the Norwegian trails and crossed the finish line in eighth spot with a time of 14:51.6.

“I felt pretty good. I really like classic skiing and my goal was to give it all I had,” said Drolet, who is competing in her fourth World Junior Championships. “You only ski the lap once, so the key was to just go hard the whole time. We had amazing conditions, perfect for classic skiing so it was a good day.”

Marie Josee-Pepin is the only Canadian woman to win a World Junior cross-country ski medal when she claimed the silver at the 1989 Championships.

Drolet was just 21.5 seconds off the gold-medal mark posted by Russia’s Dariya Nepryaeva (14:30.1). Elizaveta Bekissheva, also of Russia, posted a second-place time of 14:33.0. Norway’s Emma Kirkeberg Moerk skied to the bronze medal (14:34.1).

Ottawa’s Jasmine Lyons was the next best Canadian woman in 26th (15:33.4). Sarah Cullinan (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was 44th at 16:04.3. Tory Audet, who skis out of Chelsea Nordiq, placed 59th at 16:38.3.

The Under-23 sprints in the free technique are slated for Saturday, followed by the junior sprints on Sunday.

Complete Results: https://bit.ly/3BHkZyX

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 – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at www.nordiqcanada.ca.

*****

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Nordiq Canada

T: 403-620-8731

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February 26, 2022

Xavier McKeever et Jasmine Drolet dans le top 10 aux Championnats du monde juniors de ski nordique

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LYGNA, Norvège— Xavier McKeever et Jasmine Drolet du Canada se sont classés parmi les 10 premiers aux épreuves individuelles de courte distance en style classique des Championnats du monde juniors de ski nordique, vendredi.

McKeever, de Canmore, en Alberta, a obtenu son troisième top-10 en autant de courses cette semaine avec une sixième place, tandis que Drolet (Revelstoke, C.-B.) a obtenu son meilleur résultat à l’événement par excellence pour les athlètes juniors de ski de fond en terminant huitième. Les deux athlètes avaient inscrit les meilleurs temps de leurs étapes lors des épreuves de relais par équipe, mercredi.

McKeever, 18 ans, avait encore une fois les yeux rivés sur le podium à Lygna, en Norvège, où il a réalisé un temps de 27:08,2 dans l’épreuve masculine de 10 kilomètres.

« Je suis heureux de la façon dont les choses se sont déroulées aujourd’hui. Ça fait un moment que j’attends cette course, alors c’est génial qu’elle se soit bien passée », a déclaré McKeever. « J’ai abordé la course avec l’attitude ‘rien à perdre’. Mon plan était de commencer fort et de maintenir un rythme élevé aussi longtemps que possible. Mon premier tour a été excellent, puis j’ai commencé à être un peu fatigué pour le deuxième tour, mais j’ai bénéficié de la présence devant moi du skieur finlandais qui a terminé deuxième et j’ai pu m’accrocher à lui jusqu’à la fin. »

À 18 ans, McKeever participe à ses troisièmes Championnats du monde juniors et cherche à devenir le quatrième Canadien à remporter une médaille individuelle aux Championnats du monde juniors de ski nordique. Il était cinquième dans la course de 30 kilomètres, et quatrième à ses deux départs précédents cette semaine.

« Je suis content d’être encore dans le top 10. J’avais des temps intermédiaires qui me laissaient croire que j’étais proche du podium dans le premier tour, mais je n’ai pas pu garder le rythme élevé que j’avais au départ. Honnêtement, j’ai l’impression que le podium est encore loin, mais aujourd’hui, ça me motive encore plus à faire des progrès pour pouvoir prétendre à une médaille », a ajouté l’adolescent, qui était déçu de ses résultats aux Championnats du monde juniors de 2021.

« J’ai été capable de bâtir ma confiance au cours de cette saison. Après l’année dernière, j’ai pu me recentrer sur le travail acharné de chaque jour, ce qui, je pense, m’a aidé à faire mes courses avec plus de confiance que jamais. »

McKeever, dont le père est en route pour Pékin en Chine pour diriger l’illustre équipe paralympique canadienne qui comprend son oncle Brian, était à 30 secondes du podium.

Le Russe Saveliy Korostelev a remporté l’or avec un temps de 26:15,8. Le Finlandais Niko Anttola a terminé à 21,4 secondes de la médaille d’argent en 26:37,2. Alexander Ivshin, également de Russie, a pris la troisième place en 26:38,0.

Trois autres Canadiens ont participé à l’épreuve masculine. Max Hollmann (Thunder Bay, Ont) a obtenu son premier résultat parmi les 20 premiers de la semaine en 17e position à 27:44,6. Derek Deuling (Whitehorse) s’est classé 19e pour son deuxième top 20, avec un temps de 27:47,3. Tom Stephen (Calgary) a terminé 26e en 27:55,8.

Jasmine Drolet a également obtenu l’un des meilleurs résultats jamais obtenus par une Canadienne à l’épreuve de cinq kilomètres de ski classique des Championnats du monde. L’athlète de 19 ans a affiché des temps intermédiaires dans le top 10 tout au long de sa boucle sur les pistes norvégiennes, et a franchi la ligne d’arrivée en huitième position avec un temps de 14:51,6.

« Je me sentais plutôt bien. J’aime vraiment le ski classique et mon objectif était de donner tout ce que j’avais », a déclaré Drolet, qui participe à ses quatrièmes Championnats du monde juniors. « On ne faisait le tour qu’une seule fois, alors l’idée était d’y aller à fond tout le long. Les conditions étaient incroyables, parfaites pour le ski classique, donc c’était une bonne journée. »

Marie Josée-Pépin est la seule Canadienne à avoir gagné une médaille en ski de fond aux Championnats du monde juniors lorsqu’elle a remporté l’argent aux Championnats de 1989.

Drolet était à seulement 21,5 secondes de la médaille d’or de la Russe Dariya Nepryaeva (14:30,1). Elizaveta Bekissheva, également de Russie, a terminé deuxième en 14:33.0. La Norvégienne Emma Kirkeberg Moerk a décroché la médaille de bronze (14:34,1).

Jasmine Lyons, d’Ottawa, a été la deuxième meilleure Canadienne en 26e position (15:33,4). Sarah Cullinan (Thunder Bay, Ont) a terminé 44e en un temps de 16:04,3. Tory Audet, du club Chelsea Nordiq, s’est classée 59e avec un temps de 16:38,3.

Les sprints des moins de 23 ans en style libre sont prévus pour samedi, suivis des sprints juniors dimanche.

Résutlats complets: https://bit.ly/3BHkZyX

Nordiq Canada est l’organisme directeur du ski para nordique et de fond au Canada; sport d’hiver et activité de loisir par excellence pratiqué annuellement par plus d’un million de Canadiens.  Ses 60 000 membres regroupent des athlètes, des entraîneurs, des officiels et des skieurs de tous âges et de tous niveaux.  Avec le soutien de ses partenaires d’entreprise, Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas Swix et Lanctôt Sports, ainsi que le gouvernement du Canada, le Comité olympique canadien, le Comité paralympique canadien, À nous le podium et B2Dix, Nordiq Canada forme des champions olympiques, paralympiques et mondiaux.  Pour plus d’information sur Nordiq Canada, veuillez nous visiter à l’adresse www.nordiqcanada.ca.

*****

POUR DE PLUS AMPLES RENSEIGNEMENTS:

Chris Dornan

Médias et relations publiques

Nordiq Canada

T: 403-620-8731

LYGNA, Nor.—Canada’s Xavier McKeever and Jasmine Drolet battled to top-10 finishes in the men’s and women’s short distance classic-ski individual start races at the Nordic World Junior Ski Championships on Friday.

McKeever, of Canmore, Alta., rattled off his third top-10 finish in as many races this week with a sixth-place finish, while Drolet (Revelstoke, B.C.) posted her top result at the ultimate event for junior cross-cross-country ski athletes by finishing eighth. Both athletes clocked the top-time in their legs during the team relay events on Wednesday.

The 18-year-old McKeever was on the podium hunt again in Lygna, Norway clocking a time of 27:08.2 in the men’ 10-kilometre event.

“I’m happy with how things went today. I have been anticipating this race for a while now so for it to go well was amazing.” said McKeever. “I approached it with a ‘nothing to lose’ attitude. My plan was to start hard and hold a high pace for as long as possible. I had a great first lap and then started to get a bit tired for lap two, but I did get a good ride from the Finnish skier who finished second so was able to hang onto him until the end.”

Competing in his third World Juniors at just 18 years old, McKeever is looking to become the fourth Canadian ever to win an individual medal at the Nordic World Junior Ski Championships. He was fifth in 30-kilometre race, and fourth in the relay in his two previous starts this week.

“I am stoked to be in the top-10 again. I was getting splits that I was close to the podium in the first lap, but I just couldn’t keep the high pace that I started with. Honestly, I feel like the podium is still a fair bit away, but today just motivates me more to make the steps toward being able to contend for a medal,” added the composed teen, who was disappointed with his results at the 2021 World Juniors.

“I have been able to build my confidence over the course of this season. After last year, it was instrumental for me to refocus on putting in the hard work each and every day, which I think has helped me race with more confidence than ever before.”

McKeever, whose dad Robin is en route to Beijing, China to lead Canada’s medal-winning Paralympic Team that includes his Uncle Brian, was 30 seconds off the podium pace.

Russsia’s Saveliy Korostelev won the gold with a time of 26:15.8. Finland’s Niko Anttola finished 21.4 seconds back in the silver-medal position at 26:37.2. Alexander Ivshin, also of Russia, was third at 26:38.0.

Three other Canadians were in the men’s field. Max Hollmann (Thunder Bay, Ont.) skied to his first top-20 finish of the week in 17th at 27:44.6. Derek Deuling (Whitehorse) placed 19th for his second top-20 result, clocking a time of 27:47.3. Calgary’s Tom Stephen was 26th at 27:55.8.

Jasmine Drolet also had one of the strongest results ever by a Canadian woman in the World Championship five-kilometre classic-ski race. The 19-year-old consistently posted splits in the backend of the top-10 throughout her one loop on the Norwegian trails and crossed the finish line in eighth spot with a time of 14:51.6.

“I felt pretty good. I really like classic skiing and my goal was to give it all I had,” said Drolet, who is competing in her fourth World Junior Championships. “You only ski the lap once, so the key was to just go hard the whole time. We had amazing conditions, perfect for classic skiing so it was a good day.”

Marie Josee-Pepin is the only Canadian woman to win a World Junior cross-country ski medal when she claimed the silver at the 1989 Championships.

Drolet was just 21.5 seconds off the gold-medal mark posted by Russia’s Dariya Nepryaeva (14:30.1). Elizaveta Bekissheva, also of Russia, posted a second-place time of 14:33.0. Norway’s Emma Kirkeberg Moerk skied to the bronze medal (14:34.1).

Ottawa’s Jasmine Lyons was the next best Canadian woman in 26th (15:33.4). Sarah Cullinan (Thunder Bay, Ont.) was 44th at 16:04.3. Tory Audet, who skis out of Chelsea Nordiq, placed 59th at 16:38.3.

The Under-23 sprints in the free technique are slated for Saturday, followed by the junior sprints on Sunday.

Complete Results: https://bit.ly/3BHkZyX

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 – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and World champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at www.nordiqcanada.ca.

*****

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Nordiq Canada

T: 403-620-8731

Latest News

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