Graham Nishikawa opens ski season strong

Whitehorse’s Graham Nishikawa opened his cross country skiing season well as the third Canadian and 15th overall in Sweden this weekend.

Whitehorse’s Graham Nishikawa opened his cross country skiing season well as the third Canadian and 15th overall in Sweden this weekend.

“Nishikawa is solidly focused on winning a spot on the Canadian Olympic team and a strong early season showing bodes well for his chances,” said a press release by Cross Country Yukon.

Nishikawa finished just one second behind Quebec’s Alex Harvey in the race that had 142 men competing for the gold. The top spot was ultimately won by Canada’s Devon Kershaw, who came in in under 30 minutes in the 15 kilometre race.

The race was a pre cursor to the World Cup of cross country skiing that begins next week. Alain Masson, coach for the Yukon ski team, says many top skiers were in Sweden to have their first race before settling into the World Cup circuit next weekend.

Masson was happy with what the athlete showed in his season opener.

“I think it was a good performance for him,” said Masson.

The coach says the race showed that Nishikawa is in shape entering into the cross country ski season.

“He’s in good form right now,” he said. “I think his form looks to be better than last year at this time.”

Nishikawa is eagerly awaiting the Olympic trials for Team Canada, to be held towards the end of December. Masson says those will be his most important races.

“(We’re) hoping for great things for him,” said Masson.

According to Masson, great things could be about to happen from Nishikawa.

“He’s getting into his prime,” he said.

The 25 year old athlete, who turns 26 towards the end of the year, has had many years of training and is in what cross country skiers consider the prime from his mid twenties until his mid thirties, Masson says.

“We’re going to be looking for his results soon,” said Masson.

Masson was unsure if Nishikawa would be back in Whitehorse for any competitions before the end of the year.

“I know the schedule is very tight,” he said.

Usually there is a chance for the skier to return home around Christmas, but this year the Olympic trials are complicating his schedule. December 22 will be the final Olympic trial.

Masson says Nishikawa will be back in March after the Olympics when Whitehorse will host the Haywood Nationals.

After his success in Sweden, Nishikawa is off to Norway to participate in the first two World Cup races of the year.