Whitehorse native Graham Nishikawa has been named the new Cross Country Yukon (CCY) head coach and sport coordinator.

He replaces one of his old coaches, Alain Masson, who is retiring from full time coaching this spring after 30 years in the head coach role with CCY.

Nishikawa, 39, had been coaching with the national ski team.

According to a CCY press release, Nishikawa started racing with the Jackrabbit program and progressed to the Yukon ski team. He raced internationally at World Juniors, U23 World Championships, and the World Championships for Canada as a member of the National ski team.

Nishikawa started over 30 World Cups, then transitioned into Para Nordic racing as a guide for visually impaired Paralympian Brian McKeever. He raced to four Paralympic gold medals with McKeever at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 Paralympic Winter Games.

Nishikawa is a certified Competition Development coach with the coaching association of Canada.

The Star reached Nishikawa in Canmore, Alta. Tuesday, where he was asked how he felt about his new position. “It feels exciting. Grateful for this opportunity.”

Nishikawa said he is excited to come back home and to “help the athletes out, keep the skiing level really high in the Yukon and learn from Alain and keep progressing forward. And keeping Yukon a leader in skiing.”

He said following in his old coach’s footsteps is “a little surreal. He’s been an absolute rock for the Yukon, for Canada. He’s had so much experience in all facets of skiing from waxing to coaching. He’s seen so much, how the sport’s evolved and just kind of surreal to think that when he was coaching me in high school when I was going to F.H. Collins, just where skiing has taken me and my life. Now, coming back to Whitehorse, so it’s pretty neat.”

Nishikawa explained how his new position came about.

“I’ve been the development coach for the National Ski Team here in Canmore for the last three years for Para Nordic. I finished guiding with Brian and I’ve just been coaching here and Alain, I think he called me in November and said that this would be his last year. So it was kind of on my radar, but I didn’t actually think it’d become a reality. We’re pretty established here and my wife has her job here and my kids are going to school but it all kind of came together in the last couple of months. And here we are.”

Nishikawa said getting to know the athletes will be a priority.

“I need to learn who the athletes are. Not just as athletes but as people and you know, there’s not – it’s not just Alain. There’s Cross Country Yukon staff and board members and volunteers that do so much for skiing as well.

“And obviously, I’m in a really successful program. So, yeah, just kind of learning how it operates, learning what works and kind of picking Alain’s brains to figure out how he approaches it and then bringing in my experience, what I know or what I’ve seen. I can always go back to my experiences as an athlete and as a guide and as a coach. Keep the program driving forward and just bring some more energy. I’m definitely very passionate about skiing and excited, so I definitely want to have the team keep evolving and going forward.”

Speaking of experience, Nishikawa brings a wealth of it to the team.

“I’ve been at the high level of skiing for over 20 years now, which is kind of crazy.”

Nishikawa said Whitehorse has a strong history of skiing.

“We’ve got incredible trails, the Whitehorse cross country ski club. The community supports it. They’re volunteers, everybody, all the way down the line. There’s great support, (a) supportive community.”

Nishikawa said he can help athletes build for the future.

“You’ve got to work on the fundamentals and and making sure that they’re going to have success.”

When asked if he sees himself as a role model for the kids, Nishikawa replied, “A little bit. There’s definitely a lot of role models in Whitehorse.” Nishikawa listed his sister Emily and Dahria Beatty as well as other athletes who “have made that journey. They started skiing in school in Whitehorse and then have progressed further and further.”

Nishikawa said there is a lot of knowledge in the community.

“Skiing is just part of Whitehorse and I just want to keep it going.”

As for what’s next, “I’ll be back up in the first week of May to meet people and help get the program going this year. And then I’ll be full time probably in mid-July.

“Just trying to transition my life here and my family in the move up to Whitehorse. So it’ll take a few months to – do the planning. There’s lots of support and help up there as well as Jen (McKeigan), another coach. So the athletes will be well looked after during this transition phase.”

“I’m really excited to work with her. She’s definitely really solid and I think together we can carry on the Yukon ski team.”

Nishikawa said Masson will be able to facilitate the transition as well.

How long he’ll stick around is yet to be determined.

“I’ll definitely have to spend some time with him and learn from him and what’s worked and also figure out how everything operates.”

Nishikawa said it feels great to be coming back home.

“That’s definitely a big part of taking the job and I have a young family and it’s been a while since I’ve lived in Whitehorse but it feels like home still. So I’m really excited.”