May 24, 2011 (Toronto, ON) – The votes are in for the SkiTrax Annual North American (NA) Nordic Ski Awards and Devon Kershaw and Kikkan Randall took home the titles of the Best Overall Elite Male and Female Skiers for 2011. Randall claimed two more awards while Alex Harvey was the big overall winner with four awards in total. One of those was shared with Kershaw as the duo won the Paul Robbins Best Breakthrough or Exceptional Nordic Performance(s) Male or Female award with their historic Nordic Worlds gold in the Team Sprint at Olso, Norway – a Canadian first.

Kershaw was also the top-ranked North American male finishing 8th overall in the WCup standings, also scoring his first WCup gold in Toblach, Italy at the Tour de Ski, while adding three more WCup podiums for an incredible record-setting season.

Randall had a stellar year as well with two WCup golds and a bronze along with claiming third overall in the Sprint WCup. She was also the top-ranked North American woman in the world finishing 10th overall and was voted the Best Distance Skier Female, and Best Sprinter Female for 2011 by readers at skitrax.com.

Randall was stoked with the news saying, “Wow, how cool. I am very honored to win these awards, especially as they are decided by the fans and knowing that there were many great performances this past season. It was great to see so many North American skiers raising the bar and I’m already looking forward to taking the next step.

“We couldn’t have done it without the support of the fans and of media outlets like SkiTrax that help share our stories. Thanks to everyone for a great year!”

Harvey, who was ranked 10th overall in the WCup standings (two Canadians in the top 10 is another first), was also voted the Best Distance Male Skier, Best Sprinter Male Skier and Best Overall U23 Male Skier. It was an amazing year for Quebec athlete who brought the country to its feet on several occasions winning the U23 Words 30km pursuit gold, along with historic Team Sprint gold with Kershaw in Olso.

American rising star, Jessie Diggins, was the next big winner topping the field for Best Overall Conti Cup Female Skier – Holly Brooks gets honourable mention as a close second – and Best Overall Junior Female Skier. Diggins also gets honourable mention for placing second to Harvey and Kershaw for the Paul Robbins award – missing by only one vote.

“Holy moly I’m actually kind of shocked and speechless,” wrote Diggins by email when she heard the news. “Thank you so much!”

This was an incredible year for North American skiers who brought home 15 medals combined in World Cup and World Championship hardware. Congrats to winners and all nominees for a fabulous season of skiing.

Here’s the full list of winners of the SkiTrax Annual North American (NA) Nordic Ski Awards. As expected there were some very close battles and we’ve included in italics the close runner ups who deserve honourable mention.

SkiTrax 2011 Annual North American (NA) Nordic Ski Awards Winners

Best Overall Elite Male Skier
Devon Kershaw

Best Overall Elite Female Skier
Kikkan Randall

Best Distance Skier Male
Alex Harvey

Best Distance Skier Female
Kikkan Randall

Best Sprinter Male
Alex Harvey

Best Sprinter Female
Kikkan Randall

Best Overall Conti Cup Male Skier
Graham Nishikawa

Best Overall Conti Cup Female Skier
Jessie Diggins
Holly Brooks

Best Overall U23 Male Skier
Alex Harvey

Best Overall U23 Female Skier
Sadie Bjornsen
Emily Nishikawa

Best Overall Junior Male Skier
Andy Shields

Best Overall Junior Female Skier
Jessica Diggins

Best Overall Collegiate Male
Gord Jewett
Erik Bjornsen
Sam Tarling

Best Overall Collegiate Female
Maria Graefnings

Paul Robbins Best Breakthrough or Exceptional Nordic Performance(s) (Male or Female)
Devon Kershaw/Alex Harvey
Jessica Diggins

Best Overall Biathlete Male
Lowell Bailey
Jean-Philippe Le Guellec

Best Overall Biathlete Female
Sara Studebaker

Best Overall Nordic Combined (Male)
Bill Demong

Best Overall Best Overall Ski Jumping Male
Chris Lamb
Nick Alexander
Yukon De Leeuw
Peter Frenette

Best Overall Best Overall Ski Jumping Female
Lindsey Van
Jessica Jerome

Best Overall Para-Nordic Male
Brian McKeever and guide Robin McKeever (visually

Best Overall Para-Nordic Female
Colette Bourgonje (sit ski)
Jody Barber (LW 39121 women)