Whitehorse Daily Star

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Dahria Beatty and Knute Johnsgaard

Early success continues for Beatty, Johnsgaard

The medals keep pouring in for Yukon cross-country skiers.

By Marcel Vander Wier on December 16, 2015

The medals keep pouring in for Yukon cross-country skiers.

Alberta World Cup Academy athletes Dahria Beatty and Knute Johnsgaard continued their fine seasons last weekend, when the Haywood NorAm race circuit shifted to Sovereign Lake, B.C.

Beatty, 21, earned her third gold medal of the season Sunday in the 10-kilometre individual-start skate race.

The Yukoner dominated the race, crossing the line 32 seconds ahead of her nearest rival.

Johnsgaard, 23, finished second in the men’s 15-km event, just over 37 seconds behind winner Kevin Sandau.

Natalie Hynes, 17, also added a silver medal in the junior girls category, finishing just over six seconds back of winner Annika Richardson.

Race conditions were excellent Sunday with fresh falling snow and mild temperatures.

On her Twitter account, Beatty called Sovereign Lake her favourite race course, adding she “can’t wait” to test her fitness on the World Cup following the holidays.

On Saturday, the skiers took part in skate sprints, with Johnsgaard taking the only podium finish, earning bronze in 3:16.91.

Hynes placed fifth, while Beatty was seventh in their respective fields.

The Haywood NorAm and Buff Sprint series continues Jan. 14 to 17 at Lappe Ski Club, near Thunder Bay, Ont.

Those races will also serve as selection events for the World Junior and U23 World Championships in Rasnov, Romania, Feb. 22 to 28.

Meanwhile, in Switzerland Saturday, Whitehorse’s Emily Nishikawa put down a solid effort in the women’s 15-km individual start skate-ski race.

The 26-year-old had one of her strongest races of the year, placing 39th with a time of 35:40.3.

Norwegian Therese Johaug captured gold in 34:40.3.

Nishikawa did not compete in Sunday’s sprint races.

Closer to home, several members of the Yukon ski team appeared before city council Monday.

A presentation on a proposed paved trail at the Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club was made, as skiers aim to have funding included in the city’s 2016 capital budget.

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