Yukon cyclist Daniel Sessford was hoping to make a big splash at the Canada Summer Games in Regina.

He did just that on Monday, collecting just the second medal for the territory at any Canada Games, placing a well-earned third in the men's mountain bike race.

If the thrill of standing on the podium wasn't enough for the young phenom who also finished first overall in the Tour de Whitehorse last week he managed to achieve it in front of his family members, who also made the trip to Saskatchewan.

'I was really excited,' said Sessford, in an interview from Regina this morning. 'I had a pretty good idea I was going to win it with about three kilometres to go. But I was still pushing hard, just to make sure.'

Sessford said he had a pretty good idea of what to expect in the competition, since he's been racing against a lot of the same riders all season. Still, he was in tough, as the athlete who ended up first was also the world junior champion in mountain bike racing last year.

Sessford, who was the Yukon's flag bearer at the opening ceremonies on Saturday, finished less than two minutes out of second spot with a time of one hour and 46 minutes.

'It was nice to be in the top again, after maybe not finishing so well in some of my previous races earlier this season,' he said. 'I had a really good race.'

The mountain bike portion of the cycling competition at the Games was certainly Sessford's strong point, although he should also hold his own in the time trial this afternoon and the road race on Thursday.

His final event will be the criterium on Friday.

The Yukoner said he has been racing in more road events this year, but his success will depend on how well he's sprinting.

'And in the time trial, it will depend on how tired I am from yesterday,' he added. 'Also, I don't race time trials as often as some of these guys do. For some of them, it's their specialty.'

Sessford said he just wants to do the best he can over the rest of his week at the Games, stating he went to Regina wanting to finish well in the mountain bike race, and anything else he can do now is a bonus.

No matter what his results are in the next three events, he's already done his part for Team Yukon, which territory Games officials said is riding a high following the news of Sessford's medal.

'They're all really excited,' said Sessford. 'I think its a great motivation booster for the rest of them, to see that it's possible to win a medal here and be from the Yukon.'

Other Yukon cyclists also put in some impressive performances at the mountain bike competition Monday.

The depth and strength of the field was demonstrated by that fact that David Greer was 31st overall and Troy Henry was 42nd. Sam Lindsey and Liam Kiemele also had credible rides knowing their main focus is the individual time trial and road race finishing 48th and 50th respectively.

Ryan Knight, recovering from a severe ankle injury, was unable to complete the course.

In the women's mountain bike race, Allison Furniss was 22nd overall. She was closely followed by Heather Enders in 26th and Nicole Rusel in 30th. In 33rd was Alyisha Kitchen. Kylie Gatsby was unable to complete the course.

In other action at the Games, the Yukon women's soccer team fell 4-1 to Newfoundland. Jenni Matchett netted the lone goal for the territory. The women have today off.

Alexandra Gabor made waves in the pool Monday, finishing eighth in the women's 1,500-metre freestyle to make the final. At just 12 years old, Gabor is competing with swimmers up to six years older than her at the Games.

She's also competing in her fourth competition in the last several weeks, which makes the feat even more impressive.

There's already been plenty of action today in the water, on both the men's and women's sides. Spencer Edelman and Brendan Zrum both finished seventh in their heats in the men's 100-metre freestyle event while Tanner Cassidy and Alan Lebedoff were also seventh in their respective heats in the 200-m butterfly.

Geoffrey Thompson was sixth in his heat in the 400-m individual medley while Cassidy was seventh in his heat during that race.

Thompson went on to finish seventh in his heat in the 50-m breast while fellow Yukoner Francis Aubin was seventh in his heat in the same event.

In women's action, Bronwyn Pasloski qualified for two consolation finals later this evening, after finishing third in her heat in the 50-m breast and seventh in her heat in the 400-m IM. Her sister, Lynsey, was sixth in her heat in the 100-m free and seventh in her heat in the 50-m breast.

Gabor hit the wall sixth in her heat in the 100-m free while Kayla Yeulet was sixth in her heat in the 200-m fly and Ariana Edelman finished seventh in that same event.

Erin O'Connor also raced in the 400m IM, coming in seventh in her heat.

Tomorrow in the pool, both the men and women will compete in the 100-m back, 200-m breast, 400-m free, 50-m fly and 4x100 freestyle relay.

Swimming action continues through Friday in Regina, with Week 2 athletes arriving in Saskatchewan on Saturday.