As Canada prepares to host the world’s top Nordic athletes, three Yukon skiers will be at the forefront of the host squad.

The team – which features seven Olympians – will include local standouts Emily Nishikawa, Dahria Beatty and Knute Johnsgaard.

The 2016 Ski Tour Canada – the largest cross-country event ever scheduled to take place in North America – willbe held March 1 to 12.

Canada will field a team of 14 men and 12 women for the World Cup finale that will consist of eight races at four renowned venues in Gatineau, Que., Montreal, Quebec City, and Canmore, Alta.

“We have a great lineup of athletes that obviously includes a group of veterans with lots of international experience, combined with our development-level athletes who will benefit tremendously from competing in this unique format,” said head coach Justin Wadsworth.

Olympians named to the team include Nishikawa, Alex Harvey, Devon Kershaw, Ivan Babikov, Graeme Killick, Len Valjas and Jesse Cockney.

“This is going to be my first Tour, but our guys are some of the best in the world and very experienced, so it will be great to be able to lean on them on how to prepare,” said Nishikawa.

Meanwhile, work continues as Whitehorse prepares to host nationals next month.

The Canadian cross-country ski championships will run March 19 to 26 in the Yukon capital.