Yukon cross country skiers have had a successful January.

“I’m so happy for them that the trial races that were scheduled in January took place, because it was touch and go with COVID. But they happened, and Dahria managed to secure her spot for the Olympics and we had three athletes who had a chance to make the team for the World Junior Championships and prior to the events we thought any of them could make that team if they can race as well as they can, based on what we had seen earlier at the other national races in December. Trials are always about being able to produce your best performances when it counts the most so it’s never a sure thing, but we got two out of the three that had a chance,” Team Yukon Coach Alain Masson related.

Dahria Beatty qualified for her second Olympics and will compete at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games set to start in Beijing on February 4th.

“I’m so happy for her ... that was her goal for the season – to qualify for the team,” stated Masson.

“I think she was hoping to do it on the World Cup ... that did not happen, so I know it’s not easy to leave it to the last moment, and make it during national trials, but she did really well for the race that was the most important.”

Beatty is currently in Beijing waiting for her first race. The first women’s race is on Feb. 4 at 10:45 p.m.

Sasha Masson qualified for the 2022 World Junior Championships that will take place in Lygna, Norway from February 23-28, 2022.

Masson also received a nomination for a Sport Canada AAP development card in the process. It’s a funding program where athletes get nominated by their national sport governing body based on a criteria. The amount of funding for Sasha Masson is approximately $12,000. Beatty also qualifies for funding for approximately $24,000. The funding offsets their training and racing expenses for being an elite athlete.

“They’re the athletes that travel the most, do the most camps, and are spending the most money to make it to that level.”

Derek Deuling also qualified for the 2022 World Junior Championships that will take place in Lygna, Norway from February 23-28, 2022.

“It was the first opportunity for them to try to make the team, so I’m very happy for them,” said the elder Masson.

Masson and Dueling leave Canada on Feb. 8.

Sonjaa Schmidt was nominated for the one U20 spot that was still available on the National Ski Team for a Junior female skier for the remainder of this season.

“Sonjaa won the race after the World Junior Trials and then one other race for the World Junior Trial – basically the two sprints ... in skating and in classic, she did really well, so she secured the highest points and she was named for that one spot,” recalled Masson.

Schmidt also received a nomination for a Sport Canada AAP Development card in the process. She receives approximately $12,000 from the program as well.

Schmidt just missed out on qualifying for the World Junior Championships. She will be joining other skiers from Canada on a USA B-Tour for U20 skiers that will take place in the U.S. from Jan. 26 – Feb 7. Schmidt will be racing in Craftsbury, Vermont and Lake Placid, N.Y.

“The next best athletes after the ones qualified for the World Juniors have been selected to attend these races,” related Masson.