Emily Nishikawa hit her stride at the right time.

The cross-country skier won gold for the Yukon today in the 7.5-kilometre free (interval start) at the 2011 Canada Winter Games in Nova Scotia.

Nishikawa took first in 19 minutes, 37.60 seconds, ahead of British Columbia's Alysson Marshall (19:53.10) and Alberta's Heidi Widmer (20:13.40).

"I'm thrilled – it's totally awesome,” Nishikawa, 21, said during a phone interview with the Star. "I had a good race, so I'm really happy I came out on top.”

Nishikawa, who trains at the Alberta World Cup Academy in Canmore, also won the elite open women's category at the Eastern Canadian Cross Country Ski Championships the previous weekend.

Not bad for an athlete who has had to overcome a hampering shoulder injury since September and memories of being denied a podium spot at the 2007 Canada Winter Games in Whitehorse after she broke a pole mid-way through the race.

"I was looking to do a little bit better four years ago at the Canada Games but I broke a pole in the race, so it didn't go my way, so it's great to win a medal here today. I had a slow start to the season because I had a shoulder injury, but it's getting better,” Nishikawa said.

"I think my body's in good shape right now, I felt strong, I really wanted to win, so I was pushing pretty hard.”

The rest of the Yukon women's also turned in strong results, with Dahria Beatty coming in seventh, Janelle Greer finishing 11th, Kendra Murray placing 18th and Heidi Brook taking 26th in the top half of a strong field.

In the men's 10-km free technique race today, Yukon's top skier was veteran David Greer, who finished 11th place, 1:30 behind Alberta's Kevin Sandau.

Cross Country Yukon coach Alain Masson said Nishikawa's gold may end up as a good omen for the rest of the team throughout the week.

"It's a confidence booster for everybody else,” Masson said. "It's a great atmosphere around the team; everyone can share in the victory, so I think it'll be good for the rest of the week.”

Masson said Nishikawa's recent struggle with injury makes the victory extra sweet.

"I'm very happy for her because she's struggled in the last few years, dealt with a

lot of injuries in September this year, and had an injury two years ago, so she's had her share of

unfortunate injuries,” Masson said, noting that this marks Nishikawa's third Canada Winter Games.

Nishikawa added: "I'm totally thrilled to represent the Yukon. I train with all these girls from Alberta and B.C., we're teammates, but it's cool that I can wear the Yukon colours on my back and win a medal for the Yukon.”