From the moment he crossed the finish line of Monday's Canada Winter Games 10-kilometre men's classic ski race, David Greer knew he had just done something special.

'It was a really painful race, but that usually means it was good,' smiled the 17-year-old cross-country skier. 'It was one of the best races I've done in my life.'

Greer didn't know just how good his race was until about half an hour later. That's when he received official confirmation that he had won the Yukon's first gold medal at the Canada Winter Games since 1995.

At those Games, Gerard Frostad finished first in the same event although this year's 10-km classic was shortened by about a kilometre due to the cold weather. Lisa Roberts also won gold that year in weightlifting.

'I never thought at all I would be capable of that,' Greer said, upon learning he'd finished first by more than 50 seconds.

'I'm really excited. It hasn't really sunk in yet. I'll probably be a lot more excited in a couple of hours.'

Coming into Monday's race, Greer was aiming for the Top 5, but never thought a medal was really a possibility. He said people started telling him he had a good chance prior to the race, and the more he heard that, the more his confidence rose.

'Near the end, I was really hoping a medal would be within reach.'

As word of Greer's golden victory spread, spectators, friends and Canada Games officials flocked to the Mount McIntyre ski trails, all wanting to share in the celebration.

Amongst those in the crowd was Lucy Steele-Masson, a former Canada Games gold medalist and Olympian in cross-country skiing, as well as the wife of Team Yukon head coach Alain Masson.

Steele-Masson said she raced out to the site after her husband informed her of the result by phone.

'I burst into tears,' she said, her eyes still watering. 'Unbelievable. This is so great for David. What a surprise. Just phenomenal. And so well-deserved.

'I'm just so happy for David and so happy for Alain. They worked hard for this. Alain called me and he was in tears. My husband never cries.'

Lost in all of the emotion was the fact the women's 7.5-km event, which had been shortened to 6.5 km, had yet to finish, and there was more good news to come for Team Yukon.

While officials were preparing for the medal ceremonies, they received word that the territory had also won a bronze medal, thanks to a strong performance from Bryn Knight.

Like Greer, Knight was confident as she came across the finish line.

'It was awesome,' she stated. 'Everything went really well. I'm just glad we got to race today.

'I got some pretty good splits during the race and that just motivated me so much to go harder.'

Two medals for Team Yukon on the first day of competition?

Masson, who wiped at his eyes throughout the medal presentations, said it was beyond anything he could have imagined heading into the Games.

'This is just amazing. It's even better than our dreams, in terms of expectations.'

Masson said his team had an important home-field advantage to open the Canada Games cross-country events, pointing out they didn't have to travel or adjust to a time zone, they are accustomed to the chilly weather and of course, they are very familiar with the trails.

'Finally, we have a race where we have the advantage, instead of being thousands of miles away. I think everybody knew that. This was our day to have our best results.'

There was evidence of that across the board, as Team Yukon turned in numerous other impressive performances.

John Parry was the first skier to cross the finish line, after starting 13th out of the gate each of the 51 skiers were set out on course at 15 second intervals and finished 11th overall, with a time of 29 minutes and 14.10 seconds.

'It was nice to have everyone cheering for you,' said Parry after the race. 'People helped you the whole way along.

'We're used to the cold and had no travel, so I think we had a huge advantage. I think it will show in the results. I think it was a good day for Team Yukon.'

Fellow Yukoner Sam Lindsey was 13th (29:29.50) while Colin Abbott finished 19th (30:06.20) and Ray Sabo was (31:24.10) 28th.

On the women's side, Janelle Greer also finished 11th, with a time of 25 minutes and 1.20 seconds, but was somewhat disappointed with her result.

'I don't think it was one of my best. It was really hard. Your throat burns from the cold. It was just slow.'

Team Yukon's Emily Nishikawa was 14th, with a time of 25:26.70.

Sarah Murray was next in 26th (26:45.50) while Heidi O'Connor-Brooke came across the line in 29th spot (26:50.70).

Masson said the first day of cross-country competition was certainly the best in terms of performance for Team Yukon, but didn't rule out another medal in the three remaining events, especially the 15-km men's and 10-km women's free races on Thursday.

'I'm not much for the sprints, but I could do well in the 15 k,' said Greer. 'This is probably my best event today. I pushed as hard as I could, so I'm happy.'

With a gold medal from the Canada Winter Games draped around his neck, won on home soil in front of his family and friends, how could he not be?