WHISTLER, B.C. — After finishing second in Thursday’s classic sprint to Canadian Dasha Gaiazova, Swiss National Team skier Bettina Gruber took the big prize at Canadian Nationals on Saturday, winning the women’s 30 k freestyle mass start in 1:18:41.1.

National-team biathlete Zina Kocher was the top Canadian in second, 40.3 seconds back. Heidi Widmer of the Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA) was second Canadian and third overall (+59). Brittany Webster (Highlands Trailblazers) placed fourth and Chisa Obayashi of Japan was fifth. Gaiazova did not race.

Results

WHISTLER, B.C. — American Torin Koos outlasted his competitors on the last day of Canadian Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park on Saturday, winning the men’s seven-lap 50 k freestyle mass start by 0.4 seconds over Brent McMurtry of the Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA).

Koos (Bridger Ski Foundation/Rossignol) completed the course in 2:04.55.2, and McMurtry was the first Canadian and second overall in reportedly his last race as a full-time skier. Kevin Sandau (AWCA) was the second Canadian in third (+1.7), and Brian McKeever of Canada’s Para-Nordic Ski Team placed fourth (+2.1).

Results

WHISTLER, B.C. — Fresh off a four-month stint on the World Cup, Dasha Gaiazova racked up her second-consecutive victory in as many races at Canadian Nationals on Thursday in the women’s 1.4-kilometre classic sprint at Whistler Olympic Park.

The fastest qualifier by 4.83 seconds over Canadian World Cup teammate Perianne Jones, Gaiazova rose to first in the A-final ahead of Switzerland’s Bettina Gruber in second and Jones in third. Alysson Marshall of the Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA) was the third Canadian in fourth overall, and the Academy rounded out the rest of the A-final with Marlis Kromm in fifth and Heidi Widmer in sixth.

In the men’s 1.6 k classic sprint, Canadian World Cup Team member Lenny Valjas came out in his first race back from Europe to win the qualifier by 4.92 seconds over American Torin Koos (Bridger Ski Foundation/Rossignol).

Valjas went on to dominate the A-final, beating AWCA athletes Graham Nishikawa and Phil Widmer, who were second and third, respectively. Also from the Academy, Jess Cockney was fourth, Norway’s Rune Ødegård (University of Colorado-Boulder) finished fifth, and Knute Johnsgaard (Yukon Elite Team) was sixth.

Final results: women | men

Qualifiers: women | men

WHISTER, B.C. — Brent McMurtry of the Alberta World Cup Academy notched his second victory in three races at Canadian Nationals, winning Tuesday’s 15-kilometre classic interval start in 41:26.9 minutes, 22.8 seconds ahead of Norwegian Rune Ødegård (University of Colorado).

David Greer of the Yukon Elite Team was the second Canadian and third overall (+44.3) and Graham Nishikawa (AWCA) was fourth (+53.3).

In the women’s 10 k classic interval start, Canadian World Cup Team member Dasha Gaiazova romped the field by nearly 1 1/2 minutes in 34:04, beating Japan’s Chisa Obayashi by 1:23.4.

Gaiazova’s teammate Perianne Jones was third overall (+1:35.2) and Alysson Marshall (AWCA) was the third Canadian in fourth (+1:42.5).

Results: men | women

American Caitlin Gregg of Central Cross Country (CXC) put down the fastest time of 12:02.8 in Sunday’s 5-kilometer freestyle interval start at Canadian Nationals to take the overall victory in Whistler, B.C., beating University of Colorado-Boulder senior Eliska Hajkova by 10.9 seconds.

After Hajkova, a Czech Republic native, Heidi Widmer of the Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA) was the top Canadian in third, 22.4 seconds behind Gregg. For Widmer, it was her second-straight national title in as many days of racing at the 2013 championships after she and Marlis Kromm (AWCA) took the team sprint title for their club, Foothills Nordic.

Nakkertok’s Alana Thomas was the second Canadian in fourth overall (+32.7), edging Alysson Marshall (AWCA) by 1.7 seconds. Marshall was the third Canadian in fifth.

Results

Brian McKeever after winning his first national title in Saturday’s 10 k freestyle interval start at 2013 Canadian Nationals in Whister, B.C.

Coming off a perfect season on the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Cup, including a sweep of World Cup Finals in Sochi, Russia, Brian McKeever rolled to another victory at home in Canada on Sunday.

The 33-year-old won the 10 k freestyle interval start on the first day of individual racing at Canadian Nationals in Whister, B.C. Visually impaired and competing on the IPC circuit with guide Erik Carleton, McKeever topped the men’s field on his own in 21:18.1. Graham Nishikawa of the Alberta World Cup Academy (AWCA) was 11.7 seconds back in second, and his teammate Graeme Killick placed third (+23.0).

Results

Phil Widmer of Canmore Nordic (l) leads Jess Cockney (Foothills) and Alex Mahoney (Rocky Mountain Racers) through Canada Corner at Whistler Olympic Park on Saturday during the freestyle team sprint semifinal at 2013 Canadian Nationals. (Photo: Gerry Furseth)

WHISTLER, B.C. — Canadian Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park kicked off Saturday with the 2×3-kilometer freestyle team sprint in sunshine and fast tracks.

Marlis Kromm and Heidi Widmer took the women’s title for Foothills Nordic with a clear victory. Hardwood’s Mary Thompson and Erin Tribe took second over Michaela Howie and Zoe Roy of Rocky Mountain Racers.

The men’s event was tighter, with four teams arriving in the final straight together.  Phil Widmer led into the final 100 metres but crashed after tangling with Jess Cockney. In the end, Foothills Brent McMurty and Cockney defended their their team title, and Whitehorse took silver and bronze with David Greer and Knute Johnsgaard in second, and Colin Abbott and Graham Nishikawa in third. Canmore Nordic’s Russell Kennedy and Widmer took the wooden medal in fourth.

Results: women | men

The road to 2013 Canadian Ski Nationals in Whistler, B.C. (Photo: Gerry Furseth)

Today was the first official training day for Canadian Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park. The venue welcomed cross-country skiers with blue skies, fast snow and warm sunshine that didn’t soften the tracks.

Racing starts on Saturday and continues through the following Saturday.

Saturday: Freestyle team Sprint

Sunday: 5/10 k freestyle individual start

Tuesday: 10/15 k classic individual start

Wednesday: 1.4 k classic sprints (younger athletes)

Thursday: 1.6 k classic sprints (open & older juniors)

Saturday, March 30: 20/30 k freestyle mass start

Over 600 athletes are registered. In addition to the expected Canadians, there are a sprinkling of Americans, Norwegians, and biathletes (who stuck around after Canadian Biathlon Nationals ended on Wednesday).

Virtually all of the top Canadians are registered. Lenny Valjas, Devon Kershaw, Alex Harvey, Ivan Babikov, Michael Somppi, Dasha Gaizova and Emily Nishikawa are in Falun through Sunday for the World Cup Finals with most expected to race in Whistler on Tuesday. Perianne Jones will also be there, Kershaw and Harvey will be skipping Nationals (Kershaw might be attending as a spectator), and Babikov will make a decision after Sunday’s pursuit.

A final decision hasn’t been made, but it is likely that zone4.ca will have live timing on race days.

Here is a great video of Canadian Nationals by Zacharie Turgeon of the Skinouk Ski Club. Worth a watch.

Championnats canadiens 2012 from Zacharie Turgeon on Vimeo.

After skiing with the same three women throughout Saturday’s 30 k classic mass start at Canadian Ski Nationals, Chandra Crawford broke away early in the last lap to win in 1:36:51.66.

She was 13.74 seconds ahead of runner-up Britt Ingunn Nydal of Norway. Nydal’s teammate, Ragnhild Haga was third (+54.42). Dasha Gaiazova placed fourth and Perianne Jones was fifth.

Results