Emily Nishikawa and Alex Harvey were the big winners as the Haywood Ski Nationals came to a close in Whitehorse on Saturday.

The Olympic veterans proved they are the top women’s and men’s cross-country skiers in the country after smashing the field in the grueling 30- and 50-kilometre classic-ski races to cap off a long season.

Nishikawa, 26, captured her third gold medal of the week in the women’s marathon. The 2014 Olympian led wire-to-wire in the four laps around the track. The hometown girl thrilled the Whitehorse crowd with a golden time of 1:43.12.

Alongside a junior girls gold from Natalie Hynes – her third medal of the week – and a bronze from Amanda Thomson in juvenile girls, Yukon finished with 12 medals.

They also finished second overall in club standings to powerhouse Nakkertok.

“That was a fun way to cap off the season,” Nishikawa said of her victory. “It has been so great getting the opportunity to race nationals in Whitehorse.

“I had another great race today, and had a lot of fun out there. It has been inspiring watching the up-and-coming racers compete here. A huge congratulations to all as well as a big thank you to the volunteers for making this event such a success.”

Cendrine Browne, of St-Jérôme, Que., was the next best finisher more than three minutes off the pace at 1:46:57. Katherine Stewart-Jones, of Gatineau, Que., continued her steady finish to the season with another podium finish, grabbing her third bronze medal of the week with a time of 1:49:38.

Meanwhile, Harvey, 27, exits Whitehorse and the 2015-16 season with a perfect record at nationals.

Having won his first three starts, Harvey battled through the ultimate test at the national championships – a 50-km classic-start for the men – where he edged out two of his World Cup teammates at the finish line.

When all was said and done, it was the most successful Canuck on the men’s team this year – Harvey of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que. – coming out on top with a time of 2:20:20.079.

“Mission accomplished,” said Harvey. “I’m happy to be done now. I’m pretty tired – exhausted actually both physically and mentally. Four wins though – you can’t ask for much more.”

Fort McMurray’s Graeme Killick went head to head with Harvey until the finish, but came a hair short of taking down the leader of the men’s team, winning the silver medal with a time of 2:20:20.790.

“I was happy to challenge Alex a bit in the final metres but his finish is world class, and something I will try to work towards for next year,” he said.

“It was nice to finish the season in Whitehorse on one of the most beautiful venues we get to ski at in Canada. They always manage to put together a fun and well-organized week.”

Canmore’s Ivan Babikov finished third with a time of 2:20:27.

Marie Corriveau – also of Saint-Ferréol-les-Neiges – won the junior women’s 20-km start in 1:07:42.

Quebec’s Antoine Blais won the junior men’s 30-km race in 1:32:39.