Three Yukon skiers medaled this past weekend at the Alberta Cup, the first event of the national competitive season.

Racing the trails at the Canmore Nordic Centre, Emily Nishikawa captured gold with a decisive win in the Senior Women's 10-kilometre event, completing the race in 27:31, a 14 second margin over the second-place skier.

In the one-kilometre free technique race, Janelle Greer just missed the gold in a photo finish with Maya MacIsaac-Jones from the Rocky Mountain Racers.

Knute Johnsgaard picked up a silver medal for his efforts in the Junior Men's 10-km race, with a time of 23:07.

John Parry and David Greer also skied well and made their way into Saturday's semi-final round for the men's free technique sprint but were unable to come away with a medal.

In Sunday's 10-km race, Greer and Parry finished in sixth and tenth place, respectively.

"Everyone did well and I think they were all happy with at least one race,” said Alain Masson, Yukon Ski coach and a former Olympian.

"It was a good race to get under their belts and start the season.”

Masson traveled with the skiers this week as they headed to the Sovereign Lakes Nordic Centre in B.C., to compete in the first NorAm event of the season.

The Yukon skiers are hoping to continue to build upon the momentum they generated at the Alberta Cup last weekend and produce strong results at the NorAm event.

"Overall, the racers were happy to start the season with that kind of performance and they are all looking forward to this weekend and next weekend as these races are the ones that really count,” said Masson.

The skiers will be competing for a chance to earn invitations to the national team and also put themselves in position to qualify for additional trips and events.

The NorAm events run throughout the season and the skiers accumulate points based on their performances.

The races are known to be the most competitive in the country.

"The NorAm is a series of races and at the end of the season there is a winner of the overall series,” said Masson.

Masson also added that the best skiers from across the United States and Canada will be at this weekend's event, with around 300 participants competing.

"The competition is going to be a lot tougher this weekend,” he said. "But the skiers are ready.”