January 22, 2017 – The Haywood NorAm and Western Canadian Championships were being held in Whistler B.C. Temperatures were pretty much the same though, as the athletes headed out on the 10/15km classic, interval-start, distance races.

At the top of the results table were a duo of Whitehorse skiers, with Emily Nishikawa leading the way with a 16-second victory over her younger teammate Dahria Beatty in the women’s 10km CL race. Coming in 3rd place, was Rocky Mountain Racer’s Maya Macisaac-Jones.

Emily and Dahria were well in front of the rest of the racers, generally a good sign as they prepare for upcoming Senior & U23 World Championships.

The top junior was Sovereign Lake’s Hannah Mehain, ahead of Hollyburn’s Katie Weaver and Nakkertok’s Ali Pouw in their 7.5km CL event.

Andy Shields of Lappe won the 15km CL men’s race, significantly because of a fast opening lap, finishing 4 seconds ahead of  Foothills Nordic’s Jesse Cockney, with his Lappe teammate Evan Palmer-Charette 3rd.

The top junior was Gareth Williams of Telemark, with Clarenville Newfoundland’s Patrick McIlroy 2nd (1st yr. jr man), just ahead of Whitehorse skier Caelan Pangman McLean.

Results