Cross Country Canada – SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah—Dahria Beatty finished as the top Canadian at the Nordic Under 23 World Ski Championships after placing 16th in the women’s 10 kilometre skate-ski race in Soldier Hollow, Utah.

The 22-year-old athlete took on the punishing course, in gusty winds at high altitude – not to mention the world’s best skiers in her age class – where she finished just outside the top-15 with a time of 27:39.8.

“It was extremely hard today,” said Beatty. “The courses here are really tough. I tried to go out fairly conservatively today. I started smooth and was able to build into the second lap where I was in good position in the top-10.

“I tried to pace the race well but I still ended up blowing up in the last 2.5 kilometres. The last big climb was a very painful one today.”

Enjoying a season of steady progression on the World Cup, Beatty was 12th in her opening sprint race at the Under-23 World Champs, but is searching for more in the distance events.

“I definitely haven’t figured out how to save my legs on the 5 kilometre course here at Soldier Hollow yet, but in the end I was happy with my effort. I hope to put together a stronger performance all the way to the finish line in the skiathlon.”

Sweden’s Anna Dyvik won the race with a time of 26:14.0. Norway’s Tiril Udnes Weng was second at 26:30.8, while Norway’s Lovise Heimdal posted a bronze medal time of 26:37.0.

Three other Canadian women also suited up on Thursday. Frederique Vezina, of Saint-Ferréol-Les-Neiges, Que., was 25th at 28:12.8. Katherine Stewart-Jones, of Chelsea, Que., placed 27th (28:21.8), while Jennifer Jackson, of Barrie, Ont., finished 37th (29:45.8).

Evan Palmer-Charrette, of Thunder Bay, Ont., was the top Canadian in the men’s 15-kilometre skate ski race, finishing 34th (36:15.9). Alexis Dumas, of Quebec City, skied to 38th (36:48.6), while Julien Lamoureux, of Sainte-Julie, Que., was 43rd (37:12.4) and Toronto’s Scott James Hill was 49th (39:10.9).

The Russian’s swept the Under-23 men’s podium. Alexander Bolshunov posted the top time at 32:55.7. Alexey Chervotkin finished 22 seconds off the pace at 33:17.5, while Denis Spitsov wrapped up the bronze medal with a time of 33:23.9.

The junior skiathlon races are set for Friday in Soldier Hollow.

CCC is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal winter 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, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Mackenzie Investments, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, CCC develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on CCC, please visit us at www.cccski.com.

Complete U23 Women’s Results: http://bit.ly/2jINliY

Complete U23 Men’s Results: http://bit.ly/2l2nDqM

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Cross Country Canada

T: 403-620-8731