March 13, 2017 (PyeongChang, Korea) – Canada’s sit-skier Collin Cameron had the race of his life capturing his first victory on the World Para-Nordic World Cup on the 2018 Paralympic venue in PyeongChang, Korea on March 13.

The 28-year-old was aggressive out of the gate in the final where he skied near the front of the pack en route to winning the gold after an impressive final 100-metres that saw him pass American Dan Cnossen for the victory. The USA’s Andrew Soule came third.

“It’s amazing. It is the best feeling of my life,” said Cameron, who secured his spot in the head-to-head heats with the third fastest qualifying time. “It’s nice to see my hard work in training, and experience from my last two sprint races this year, pay off with a victory here in PyeongChang.”

One of the most respected athletes on the circuit, the Sudbury, Ont. resident was motivated after what he feels was a missed opportunity to crack his first podium at the World Championships last month in Germany where he was fourth in the sprint event. He nailed his tactics on Monday on a course he has fallen in love with.

“I definitely built up a lot of confidence from my previous results in this event,” added Cameron. “Utilizing everything I have learned in those races to race smarter, and faster, it all paid off today.”

The USA’s Oksana Masters continued her winning ways in the women’s sitting after sealing a hat-trick of titles at February’s World Championships in Finsterau, Germany. She secured a second win in PyeongChang, which is also the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games Test Event.

The 27-year-old finished ahead of Germany’s Sochi 2014 cross-country gold medallist Andrea Eskau and Belarus’ Finsterau 2017 bronze medallist Lidziya Hrafeyeva. Masters maintains a comfortable lead at the top of the World Cup overall rankings.

The USA’s Jacob Adicoff, guided by Sawyer Kesselheim, added a second victory to his haul in PyeongChang, winning the men’s visually impaired. Belarus’ Yury Holub and guide Dzmitry Budzilovich, and Ukraine’s Iurii Utkin, guided by Ruslan Perekhoda, followed him onto the podium.

The trail to the podium continued for the Canadians in the women’s standing division.

Vancouver’s Emily Young had her best race of the season, winning the silver medal. Qualifying for the heats in fourth place, the 26-year-old Young cruised through the semifinals with fast skis and aggressiveness on the course. Young crossed the line in third place, but was elevated to the silver medal when a Ukraine skier was relegated for a false start. Oleksandra Kononova, of the Ukraine, won the women’s standing division. Liudmyla Liashenko, also of the Ukraine, was third.

Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., just missed out on a spot in the finals where she finished seventh overall. Ottawa’s Caroline Bisson finished 11th.

Competition will continue on Tuesday (14 March) with the biathlon Individual races.