January 27, 2013 (Duntroon, ON) – Today was the final day of racing at the Haywood NorAm and World Senior Championship trials at Highlands Nordic. It was a great day for racing, just below zero and partly sunny as the athletes took to the course for the 10 and 15k, interval start, free technique races.

Graham Nishikawa © Pam Doyle file photo

On the men’s side, Whitehorse skier Graham Nishikawa came into the race as one of the favourites after winning the first trial race at Lappe, the 30k skiathlon. True to form Nishikawa dominated today’s race with a blistering fast first lap, cruising to victory by over 30 seconds in front of Foothills skier Kevin Sandau. Michael Somppi from Lappe was another 13 seconds back in 3rd.

The double victories in the Trials events should probably gain Nishikawa selection to the Canadian team for the upcoming Worlds. There could be some debate about additional selections after Nishikawa’s dominant performance today. On the distance side Kevin Sandau would seem to have the next best opportunity after 2nd place finishes at the trials.

Brittany Webster © Pam Doyle file photo

For the women selection may also be a bit uncertain as Emily Nishikawa, the winner of the first Trial race and yesterday’s silver medallist, didn’t race today after waking up with a cold. Home club skier Brittany Webster, of Highlands Trailblazers, won by 23 seconds over Zoe Roy of Rocky Mountain Racers. Roy’s club teammate Andrea Dupont, the sprint winner was 3rd.

It would seem that both Nishikawa and Webster may have a chance for World’s selection, since the pre qualified members tend to do better in the sprint events. Dupont with double Trials sprint wins, looks to have a reasonable shot of making the team as a sprinter.

Final selection decisions will not be easy as the 7 World Cup athletes will be included in the selection process, and the final team size appears to be set at 11 skiers, based on the original selection criteria (section 10).

A team selection announcement should be available on the CCC site over the next 24 hours. Athletes selected to the team will also race in the World Cup in Davos just prior to the World Championships.

In the junior events Alannah Maclean of Walden ski club was the winner by 13 seconds over Jennifer Jackson of Team Hardwood. Sophie Carrier-Laforte of Skinouk was 3rd. Matthew Vrielink of Rocky Mountain Racers claimed 1st for the Junior Men ahead of Jack Carlyle of Soo Finnish and Ben Wilkinson-Zan of Nakkertok.

The Haywood NorAm circuit now moves east to Cantley, Quebec for the Eastern Canadian Championships at Nakkertok Nordic, hosted by the National Capital area clubs.

Full results HERE.