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Mackie won the green bib with 548 points, finishing ahead of Italy’s Iris De Martin Pinter (488 points) and Andorra’s Gina del Rio (451 points) in the final rankings. Her consistency on the World Cup circuit defined a season that now stands as a record-setting moment for Canadian cross‑country skiing. 

“This is a really, really special feeling,” Mackie said after sealing the title. “I am really proud of my consistency this season, and I think obviously that shows with winning the overall green bib. It hasn’t always been easy… there were stressful moments and some disappointing races, but overall I’m just really proud.” 

Mackie has held the U23 lead since the Tour de Ski, a position that came with significant weight. “Ever since I finished the Tour de Ski and have been in the overall U23 World Cup lead, every single weekend after has been a lot of pressure that I’ve put on myself to keep it,” she explained. “It wasn’t even really on my radar this season, so to have it become a reality was special. I didn’t want that taken away from me, so crossing the finish line today was a big feeling of relief and pride.” 

At the finish, Mackie broke into tears, something she described as the emotional release of months of effort. “It was definitely a big feeling of relief,” she said. “I put a lot of pressure on myself. When it was finally done, it all hit me at once.” 

Her season also included standout performances against the world’s best senior athletes. Among her top World Cup results were a 5th‑place finish in the 5 km free at the Stage World Cup in Toblach, and an 8th‑place finish in the 10 km mass start free in Val di Fiemme, Italy. These performances underscored her ability to excel not only in U23 competition but also on the broader World Cup stage. 

Mackie’s historic title adds to an already exceptional season. She captured gold in the 20 km mass start free at the FIS Nordic Junior & U23 World Ski Championships, finished 8th in her Olympic debut, and contributed to strong Canadian team performances in both the relay and team sprint. 

“Oh, absolutely, this has been a dream season,” Mackie said. “My two big goals were to make the Olympic team and to medal at U23s. So to win U23s, be top 10 in my first Olympics, along with the excellent team results we had, and then to get the green bib too, I can’t ask for more.” 

Mackie’s breakthrough highlights the momentum of Canada’s next generation of athletes and the increasing depth of the country’s cross-country skiing talent pool. 

Full standings:
https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/cross-country/cup-standings.html?sectorcode=CC&seasoncode=2026&cupcode=WCU23&disciplinecode=ALL&gendercode=W&nationcode=

We are blown away by how many talented skiers there are across Canada, and narrowing it down to one design was no easy feat. Thank you to everyone who submitted a design to this year’s contest!

Click above to view the Selection Rationale

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to the World Cup Period Four (4) Lake Placid Team with races from March 17th – March 23rd, 2026. Athlete selections were based on the 2025-26 Nordiq Canada Competition Trip Selection Criteria.   

Competition Trip Objectives:   

• Provide appropriate competition opportunities to athletes who have demonstrated the ability to achieve a WC Top 20 performance, and to support the Nations Cup Ranking overall.  
• Provide meaningful competition pathway opportunities to developing athletes who can contribute to long-term high-performance objectives. 

Summary of Nominations 

Olivier Léveillé – Club ski de fond Orford — CNEPH

Tom Stephen – Foothills Nordic Ski Club — AWCA

Max Hollmann – Big Thunder Nordic — AWCA

Antoine Cyr – Skinouk — CNEPH

Rémi Drolet – Black Jack Ski Club — SMS T2

Xavier McKeever – Foothills Nordic Ski Club — AWCA

Luke Allan – Nakkertok Cross Country Ski Club

Sasha Masson – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club — CNEPH

Alexandre Cormier – Club Fondeurs Laurentides — CNEPH

Luke Fricker – Canmore Nordic Ski Club

Kendyn Mashinter – Walden Cross Country — NTDC Thunder Bay

Jonas Rolseth – Canmore Nordic Ski Club — AWCA

Scott Hill – Team Hardwood

Pierre Grall-Johnson – Nakkertok Cross Country Ski Club – CNEPH

Taschi Klaschka – Sovereign Lake Nordic Club

Guillaume Pelchat – Pembroke Nordic Ski Club – CNEPH

Parker Courte-Rathwell – Club Tremblant Nordique

Julian Smith – Georgian Bay Nordic – NTDC Thunder Bay

Justin Boudreau – Club de ski de fond Monteriski, CNEPH

Katie Weaver – Hollyburn Cross-Country Ski Club — AWCA

Katherine Stewart-Jones – Nakkertok Nordic — AWCA

Sonjaa Schmidt – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club — AWCA

Liliane Gagnon – Skibec — CNEPH

Amelia Wells – Strathcona Nordic

Alison Mackie – Edmonton Nordic Ski Club — AWCA

Jasmine Drolet – Club Nordique Mont-Sainte-Anne — CNEPH

Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt – Fondeurs Laurentides — AWCA

Katya Semeniuk – Nakkertok Nordic — AWCA

Hannah Shields – XC Ottawa

Athlete nominations were made by the Acting High-Performance Director (HPD) and reviewed by the High-Performance Committee (HPC) based on the 2025-26 Nordiq Canada Competition Trip Selection Criteria. The HPC oversaw the selection process as per the Nordiq Canada Nomination, Selection and Announcement policy. Members of this committee are

• Graham Nishikawa (athlete rep – Para)   
• Devon Kershaw (athlete rep – Olympic)   
• Maria Lundgren (BC)   
• Pauline Nadlersmith (MB)   
• John Lofranco (Athletics Canada)   

Final athlete selections were approved by Eric de Nys, Acting High-Performance Director: edenys@nordiqcanada.ca 

Selection decisions may be appealed under the Nordiq Canada Dispute Resolution and Appeals Policy. Any dispute must be brought directly to the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC) to be heard pursuant to the Canadian Sport Dispute Resolution Code. An athlete who wishes to appeal shall file an appeal with the SDRCC within three (3) days of the nomination Synopsis and Rationale being posted to the Nordiq Canada website. 

A three-time Paralympian, Wilkie has captured four medals at these Games – gold in the Para biathlon women’s standing individual and sprint pursuit, silver in the Para biathlon women’s standing sprint, and bronze in the Para cross-country women’s standing sprint classic. She still has one race remaining on Sunday morning, the Para cross-country 20km.

Wilkie, age 25, now has 11 Paralympic medals to her name (five gold, three silvers, three bronze). She is the first Canadian athlete to be selected to be both Opening and Closing Ceremony flag bearer at the same Paralympic Games.

“That was a big surprise, and I said that about being named the Opening flag bearer, but I am shocked once again,” said Wilkie. “It just feels unreal right now because I don’t think there has been a Canadian athlete who has been named in one Games as opening and closing flag bearer, so to be the first definitely feels like I’m setting history. I’m really excited.”

“This has been a really special Games for me. It has been a really emotional Games for myself and a lot of my teammates so it’s going to be a really great way to end the Games. To be able to wave the flag physically and walk is going to be a pretty cool experience. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my third Games.”

At his fourth Paralympic Winter Games, Ideson skipped Canada to its first gold medal since 2014, becoming the first nation to ever complete the tournament undefeated. Ideson, age 49, threw the critical last shots for Canada that secured their semifinal and final victories against South Korea and China. Skip of the team since 2018, he made his Paralympic debut in 2014 and now has two gold and two bronze medals.

“It’s an honour I never thought I would get and one that I’m truly grateful for,” said Ideson. “The biggest honour I could ever imagine.”

“It’s really hard to sum up this whole week,” said Ideson on winning gold and now being named flag bearer. “This is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a great group of people. We have the best team and the best staff and compete for the best country. I am incredibly proud and honoured to have been part of this whole journey.”

“I am so excited for both Natalie and Mark to receive this honour,” said Mac Marcoux, honorary captain, Milano Cortina 2026 Canadian Paralympic Team. “It has been incredible to watch both of them compete here at the Games. Their performances this week speak for themselves – they have added to their already so impressive Paralympic legacies. They are also such great leaders in their sports and for Paralympic sport in Canada, and I can’t wait to watch them carry the flag.”

“Congratulations to Natalie and Mark on being named Closing Ceremony flag bearers,” said Catherine Gosselin-Despres, Chief Sport Officer, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “They both have accomplished so much here at the Games, and it has been a thrill to watch their competitions all week as they led Canada on the field of play. We know they will represent the country with great pride as we celebrate their achievements and those of the entire Canadian Paralympic Team at the Closing Ceremony.”

Canadian viewers can watch Wilkie and Ideson carry the flag for the Canadian Paralympic Team with Closing Ceremony coverage beginning live Sunday on CBC and Radio-Canada at 3 p.m. ET.

About the Canadian Paralympic Team: A total of 50 athletes, including guides, are competing for Canada in six sports at the Milano Cortina 2026 Paralympic Winter Games, taking place March 6-15.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee: Paralympic.ca

MEDIA CONTACTS
Nicole Watts
Canadian Paralympic Team Communications Lead
nwatts@paralympic.ca / 613-462-2700 (WhatsApp)

Nathaniel Mah
Media Attaché, Para Nordic Skiing
nmah@nordiqcanada.ca / 403-700-4927 (WhatsApp)

Larissa Simone
Media Attaché, Wheelchair Curling
larissa.simone@curling.ca / 365-340-4833 (WhatsApp)

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If you are a coach, volunteer, parent or participant, please join us for this interactive session with Nordiq Canada’s leadership to learn, share and discuss the future of the organization.

Hosted in-person and online, the purpose of this Town Hall is to engage and consult with the community on important topics that will shape the future of our sport.

We look forward to seeing you there!

DETAILS

When: Sunday, March 8th 2026, 3pm ET

Where: Delta Hotels, Mont Sainte-Anne, QC

How to attend: In person or via Teams link

AGENDA

• 1. Welcome, introductions and objectives – Beckie Scott, CEO
  2. National High Performance Program strategy and structure – Eric deNys, acting High Performance Director
  3. Technique Digital Platform project – Eric deNys
  4. Youth retention and development consultation – Eric deNys
     • U12 race licenses/awards and race recognition
     • Common wax protocol proposal
     • Gender equity in distance events
  5. Long-term Calendar and rational – Jeff Ellis, Events and Officials Manager
  6. Canada Points List – Jeff Ellis
  7. Reclaimed Wood Product opportunity – Jeff Ellis
  8. CCUNC category – Jeff Ellis

All eyes were on the current U23 World Cup leader Mackie heading into the championships, marked as one of the favourites for the day. Despite the added pressure, she managed the early laps with patience, staying tucked into the draft of the lead group. “It was about racing smart,” said Mackie. “I stayed in the pack, conserved energy, and I knew if I was first over the top of the last hill, I’d have a really good chance of winning.” 

As the pace surged into the final climb, Mackie made her move, cresting the hill with a gap over her competition and charging into the final straight. “The finish here is short, so positioning is everything,” she added. “I skied the last kilometre perfectly and couldn’t be happier.” 

The magnitude of the moment hit her as she crossed the line. “It’s definitely an indescribable feeling. I’m really, really happy and proud,” said Mackie. “This whole week has been fantastic for Team Canada, everyone is lifting each other up, and that gave me so much confidence heading into the final lap.” 

Mackie took the win finishing at a time of 49:41, with Norway’s Eva Ingebrigtsen finishing second and France’s Léonie Perry third. 

Eva INGEBRIGTSEN, NOR, bib number 3, run 1, Alison MACKIE, CAN, bib number 2, run 1, Leonie PERRY, FRA, bib number 1, run 1, winner photo, U23 Women’s 20km Mass Start Free at FIS Junior and U23 World Cross-Country Ski Championships in Lillehammer, Norway, 2026-03-05, Photo Credit: Fredrik Hagen

Two hours after Mackie’s gold, it was McKeever’s turn to battle for a U23 World Championships medal. “I was hearing O Canada as they played the anthem for her,” said McKeever. “That was a really cool moment, definitely some inspiration for sure.” 

In a stacked men’s field, McKeever navigated a chaotic first lap, then much like Mackie settled into the draft and conserved energy. “It was super competitive all the way,” he said. “I had to be careful with positioning and make smart moves late.” The lead group of 10 charged into the final straight, each fighting for a place on the podium. 

“I had two really good downhills and a really good crest of the final hill going into the finish,” he added. “Once the inside lane opened up, I shut my brain off and went for it, sprinted as hard as I could.” 

Finding a sliver of daylight through the traffic, McKeever lunged for the line to finish third behind Germany’s Elias Keck who finished at a time of 43:32, and Savelii Korostelev in silver.  

The bronze was a long time coming. “It feels amazing,” he said. “I’ve been chasing an individual medal at this event for years, so to finally break through is a relief and a testament to all the hard work.” He celebrated with teammates just beyond the finish. “Seeing the Canadian flags, hearing the anthem earlier for Alison, it was pretty sweet. Days like this show what’s possible for our team.” 

The two medals come amid three straight days of celebration for Canada at the championships. “We’ve had a top‑10 every day at these championships, and the momentum is lifting the whole team,” McKeever said. “You see it on the World Cup, at the Olympics, and here at World Juniors and U23s, Canada is on the come‑up. It’s motivating to be part of a group where so many people are doing great things.” 

Mackie echoed that sentiment. “Everyone here is doing so well,  it’s inspiring,” she said. “Our juniors, U23s and seniors are pushing the standard together. That energy carried me today.” 

“This is truly a historic day for Canadian skiing,” said Nordiq Canada CEO Beckie Scott. “We knew how talented and strong this team was going into the championships, and seeing these medals and the results the team has had is proof that Canada’s skiers, coaches and wax techs are on the rise, moving the bar forward every season.” 

Racing at the FIS Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championships continues through March 8 in Lillehammer, with the mixed team relays still to come. 

Full Results: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=CC&eventid=62427&seasoncode=2026