Whitehorse native Emily Nishikawa is off to a brilliant start on the European race circuit.

The 26-year-old cross-country skier is the only senior female representing Canada on the World Cup circuit this season.

In her first race of the season Saturday, Nishikawa finished sixth overall in the one-kilometre classic sprint race after winning her opening heat and finishing second in the semifinals.

Her finish was the top Canadian performance on the day in Gällivare, Sweden.

American Jessica Diggins mined gold in the event.

“I was happy to start the season with a good race,” Nishikawa said in a news release. “I’ve had a good summer of training and (am) feeling strong coming into the race season, so I was really excited to race today.

“I felt strong in my quarter- and semifinal, but not as good in the final. I made some poor lane choices at the start and got myself boxed out on the first climb and wasn’t able to really do much after that.

“Overall, I was really happy with how I skied today. I’m looking forward to tomorrow and the start of the World Cup season next weekend.”

Nishikawa followed up on that performance with a ninth-place finish in a 10-km skate-ski race in 27:43.9.

Diggins earned her second straight race win in 25:08.7.

Teammate Alex Harvey had the top Canadian performance on the day, earning a silver medal in the men’s 15-km race.

The races saw many of the world’s best Nordic skiers test their summer training.

Nishikawa continues to make strides since she first toed the start line against the world’s best last season.

Recognized more for her strengths as a distance skier, she regularly cracked her way into the top-30 group and is looking to build on that as the lone Canuck female in the World Cup.

Last month, Nishikawa told the Star her goal for the season is to finish in the top 15 in at least one race on the World Cup circuit.

The FIS World Cup season begins this coming weekend in Ruka, Finland.