March 12, 2009 (Duntroon, ON) – Robin McKeever took another stride closer to putting his name in the cross-country skiing history books as having won the most Canadian Championship medals ever after claiming the gold on Monday at the Haywood Ski Nationals in Duntroon, Ontario.

The 35-year-old McKeever, who has guided his younger brother Brian to seven Paralympic medals in Para-Nordic cross-country skiing, won his 10th Canadian Championship title in the 16 years he’s been competing at the event after crossing the finish line first in the men’s 10-kilometre skate-ski event. “Absolutely it was a great day,” beamed the Canmore, Alta. resident. “I certainly didn’t expect to win gold, but getting on the podium here is very important to me because I think I’m third overall in medals won at this event.”

Indeed he is. McKeever’s 32 medals over his illustrious career actually put him in a tie for third spot with Canada’s leading wax technician, Yves Bilodeau, on the total medal count list – both are three shy of the legendary Pierre Harvey and Donald Farley, who share the top with 35.

McKeever arrived to southern Ontario with his brother late Sunday night following a successful stop at the 2010 Paralympic venue near Whistler, B.C. where they racked up two gold medals at the IPC World Cup. The McKeever brothers stuck close to each other again on Monday with Brian finishing in his brothers golden tracks like they have done countless times around the world. Brian locked up the silver medal.

“We really did no prep work to the skis and used exactly what we had on them Saturday,” said Robin McKeever, who added conditions were tough with a dusting of snow on top of choppy ice. “We were fighting for our balance the whole time, but I think it was an advantage we came in last night because I didn’t know any different.” Stefan Kuhn, of Canmore, Alta., finished in third spot.

In the women’s race it was Brooke Gosling, of Orangeville, Ont., who took home the gold medal. Edmonton’s Madeleine Williams and Rhonda Jewett, of Canmore, Alta., were the next best Canadians in fourth and fifth spot.

Complete results available here.