March 20, 2019 (Gatineau, QC) – Again there were large crowds out at the Nakkertok Ski Centre in Gatineau, for the Surgenor Canadian Championship Sprint races. It was a chance for the younger athletes to be in the spotlight for the skate style sprint event.

Luke Allan from Ottawa grabbed gold in the Juvenile Boys race, ahead of heavy favourite Xavier McKeever of Canmore. McKeever, the son of two Olympians, and the nephew of Para-Nordic star Brian McKeever had earlier claimed three gold medals at the event.

Allan got out in front early and benefitted when McKeever and the chase group got in a bit of a tangle of skis and poles. McKeever tried hard to hunt him down, but Luke held him off to capture the win on his home turf.

Luke Allan: “I wasn’t really the favourite going in. Xavier is a phenom. I got out front at the start and held him off until the end. It all came together nice.”

Luke’s brother Tyler was the top local skier in the Junior Boys race, finishing 8th behind, Tom Stephen of Calgary.

Mallory Williams of Cantley was the silver medallist in the Juvenile Women’s event, that was won by Thunder Bay’s Anna Stewart. Mallory’s Nakkertok teammate Erin Dunn was 4th.

Mallory Williams:” It was really fun. Starting out I was really far back, but I decided I wouldn’t give up, I really wanted this”.

Skinouk ski club and Gatineau skier Magalie Daoust came 4th in the Junior Girls race behind another Calgary skier Anna Pryce.

Magalie Daoust:” I am very happy about today. I really like sprinting and I am glad to have a strong finish”.

Complete results can be found here.

Monday features the Team sprint competition, starting at 8:30 AM, with Canadian University and College Championship action. Club sprints will follow. The finals will begin at 1:30PM.

Media are invited to the Canadian Museum of History on Sunday night for the naming of the World Cup team. A separate media advisory has been issued for this event.