Click above to view the Selection Rationale

World Cup P2

Congratulations to the following athletes selected to the Para Nordic World Cup competition team for Period 2 from January 25 to February 3, 2025, in Val di Fiemme, Italy. Athlete selections were based on the 2024-25 Para Nordic Competition Selection Criteria.

Competition project rationale:

• Athletes who have previously met World Cup Team standards.
• Athletes who have proven performances at a World Cup event.

The deadline to appeal all Team nominations is January 22, 2025, 11:59 PM MST. Appeals must be submitted in writing to Nordiq Canada’s Appeal Manager, Stefano Mingarelli, at stefmingarelli@gmail.com.

A $250 appeal fee must be paid to Nordiq Canada before an appeal can be reviewed. It is recommended athletes contact the selection authority (listed before) prior to submitting an appeal as issues can often be resolved outside the appeal process.

Summary of Athletes: 

Mark Arendz 

Collin Cameron 

Brittany Hudak

Natalie Wilkie

Derek Zaplotinsky 

Emma Archibald 

Christina Picton 

Logan Lariviere

Nicholas Randall (Guide)

Madison Mullin 

Tory Audet (Guide)

Jesse Bachinsky

Matt Cuddy (Guide)

Lyne-Marie Bilodeau

2025 IBU Para Biathlon World Championships

Congratulations to the following athlete selected to the 2025 Para Biathlon World Championships team from February 3 to 9, 2025 in Pokljuka, Slovenia. Athlete selections were based on the 2024-25 Para Nordic Competition Selection Criteria.

Summary of Athletes: 

Mark Arendz 

Collin Cameron 

Brittany Hudak 

Natalie Wilkie 

Derek Zaplotinsky

Para Cross Country World Ski Championships

Congratulations to the following athlete selected to the 2025 Para Cross Country World Championships team from February 10 to 14, 2025 in Toblach, Italy. Athlete selections were based on the 2024-25 Para Nordic Competition Selection Criteria.

Summary of Athletes: 

Mark Arendz 

Collin Cameron

Brittany Hudak

Natalie Wilkie 

Derek Zaplotinsky 

Emma Archibald

Christina Picton

Athlete nominations were made by the High Performance Committee (HPC) based on the 2024-25 Para Nordic Competition Trip Criteria. The HPC oversaw the selection process as per the Nordiq Canada Selection, Nominations and Announcement policy. Members of this committee are:

Final athlete selections were approved by Chris Jeffries, High Performance Director : cjeffries@nordiqcanada.ca

Changes to the Board of Directors

Nordiq Canada warmly thanks Bruno Caron and Madison Koekkoek for their time on the Board. Both have stepped down. Angus Carr, former Chair of XCSO and governance guru, has joined the Board to add support until the Annual General Meeting. Thank you, Bruno, Madison, and Angus!

Happy Trails, Dave Pym

It is with sadness and gratitude that we bid adieu to Dave Pym who passed away last week. As Managing Director of the Canadian Snowsports Association for almost two decades, Dave supported Nordiq Canada, Divisions, clubs, and athletes by managing insurance and Canada’s relationship with FIS. Dave was an incredible resource who was led by his passion to support athletes. Dave will be greatly missed and forever appreciated.

Ski Like a Girl Podcast Online Launch Party 
The Ski Like a Girl Podcast hosts invite you to an online launch party from the Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation at the University of Alberta.

• Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025, 12:00 noon (MST)
• Register here for the Webinar Zoom link: https://ualberta-ca.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_72E1FGstTN6jh-2VP1LQ-A#/registration

To learn more about the podcast, visit the Ski Like a Girl website and podcast on Aviary, and Spotify.

The opportunity is possible due to race starts becoming available at P3 events and the U23 World Championships.  These additions were at the discretion of the High Performance Director as per point 4.2.c of the 2024-25 National High Performance Program Selection Criteria.

World Cup P3

• Pierre Grall-Johnson
• Sasha Masson

U23 Nordic World Ski Championships

• Sasha Masson

Athlete race opportunities are supported by the High Performance Committee (HPC).

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)

• Julie Beaulieu (Nordiq Canada)

• Chris Jeffries (Nordiq Canada)

Click above to view the Selection Rationale

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to the 2025 Nordic Junior and U23 World Ski Championship Team, competing in Schilpario, Italy from January 24 – February 10, 2025. Athlete selections are based on the 2024-25 Nordiq Canada Competition Selection Criteria.

The deadline to appeal Team nominations is Tuesday, January 15, 2025, 11:59 PM MST. Submit an appeal in writing to Nordiq Canada’s Appeal Manager, Stefano Mingarelli, at stefmingarelli@gmail.com.   

A $250 appeal fee must be paid to Nordiq Canada before an appeal can be reviewed. It is recommended athletes contact the selection authority (listed below) prior to submitting an appeal as issues can often be resolved outside the appeal process.   

Selection Rational  

• In evaluating selections World Junior Ski Championship is a development competition; U23 World Ski Championships is a performance competition.  
• Sprint and distance events are not ranked or weighted more than the other. Selection is based on achieving best performance in each event.  
• Time behind winner evaluations were taken from the overall race winners time, not the category winner’s time. 
• Team size was expanded from 20 to 22 to provide more international race opportunities and optimal team performance. This means fielding the athlete best suited to start the race to achieve an optimal result. 
• There are no roll downs in the selection. 

SUMMARY OF SELECTIONS 

World Junior Ski Championship Team 

Alison Mackie – Edmonton Nordic Ski Club, AB – AWCA 

Clara Hegan – Nakkertok Nordic, ON 

Minty Bradford – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, YT 

Constance Lapointe – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, YT  

Anika Wallin – Williams Lake Cross Country Ski Club, BC – AWCA 

Finn Redman – Telemark Nordic, BC 

Justin Boudreau – Club de ski de fond Montériski, QC – CNEPH 

Jonas Rolseth – Canmore Nordic Ski Club, AB – AWCA 

Eamon Wilson – Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club, BC 

Ben Field – Canmore Nordic Ski Club, AB – AWCA 

Zachari Moreau – Club Nordique Mont-Sainte-Anne, QC 

World U23 Ski Championship Team 

Sonjaa Schmidt – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, YT – AWCA 

Liliane Gagnon – Skibec/Léviski La Balade, QC – CNEPH 

Jasmine Drolet – Black Jack Ski Club, BC 

Amelia Wells – Strathcona Nordics, BC – AWCA 

Katya Semeniuk – Nakkertok Nordic, ON – AWCA 

Helen McCulligh (Not Eligible Due to FISU) – Kanata Nordic Ski Club, ON – 

Xavier McKeever – Foothills Nordic Ski Club, AB – AWCA 

Max Hollmann – Big Thunder Nordic Ski Club, ON – AWCA 

Luke Allan (Declined) – Nakkertok Nordic, ON 

Tom Stephen – Foothills Nordic Ski Club, AB – AWCA 

Derek Deuling – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, YT 

Ry Prior – Club Chelsea Nordiq, QC – AWCA 

Staff

Jouni Pitkänen – U23 Lead Coach

Maria Lundgren – U20 Lead Caoch

Julien Lamoureux – U20 Assistant Coach / Wax Tech

Tormod Vatten – U23 Assistant Coach / Wax Tech

Julie Beaulieu – Development Lead

Alain Masson – Wax Tech

Luke McGurk – Wax Tech

Fergus Foster – Wax Tech

Leif Lennie – Wax Tech

Athlete nominations were made by the High Performance Committee (HPC) based on the 2024-25 Nordiq Canada Competition 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 (ON)
• John Lofranco (Athletics Canada)
• Julie Beaulieu (Nordiq Canada)
• Chris Jeffries (Nordiq Canada)

Final athlete selections were approved by Chris Jeffries, High Performance Director.

Click above to view the Selection Rationale

Congratulations to the following athletes who have been selected to the World Cup Period 3 Team from January 12 -February 17, 2025 with races in Les Rousses, Engadin, Cogne and Falun. Athlete selections were based on the 2024-25 Nordiq Canada Competition Selection Criteria.

Selection details and factors:

• Provide appropriate competition opportunities to athletes that have demonstrated the ability to achieve a top 20 performance.
• Provide opportunity for athletes to domestically qualify for an international competition.
• Increase Olympic quota allocations.
• No criteria priority for selecting between sprint and distance rankings.

The deadline to appeal Team nominations is January 10th, 11:59 PM MST. Appeals must be submitted in writing to Nordiq Canada’s Appeal Manager, Stefano Mingarelli, at stefmingarelli@gmail.com.

A $250 appeal fee must be paid to Nordiq Canada before an appeal can be reviewed. It is recommended athletes contact the selection authority (listed before) prior to submitting an appeal as issues can often be resolved outside the appeal process.

Summary of Nominations 

Alison Mackie – Edmonton Nordic Ski Club, AWCA

Tom Stephen – Foothills Nordic Ski Club, AWCA

Antoine Cyr – Skinouk, CNEPH

Katherine Stewart-Jones – Nakkertok Nordic, AWCA

Katie Weaver – Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Club, AWCA

Julian Smith – Georgian Bay Nordic, NTDC T-Bay

Xavier McKeever – Foothills Nordic Ski Club, AWCA

Max Hollmann – Big Thunder Nordic, AWCA

Sonjaa Schmidt – Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club, AWCA

Liliane Gagnon – Skibec, CNEPH

Olivier Léveillé – Club de ski de fond Orford, CNEPH

Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt – Fondeurs-Laurentides, AWCA

Rémi Drolet – Black Jack Cross Country

Amelia Wells – Strathcona Nordics, AWCA

Get your ideas ready!

Here is the template for your design

The criteria for entering in the contest is as follows:

• Contestants must be currently enrolled in a Nordiq Canada Jackrabbit or Bunnyrabbit program
• Contestants must be between the ages of 5-9
• Artwork must be of original work

Selection process and timelines:

• Designs should be submitted to Julie Beaulieu (jbeaulieu@nordiqcanada.ca) by February 18, 2025.
• Nordiq Canada will select 10 final designs and voting will occur via Survey Monkey. The voting period will run from February 18 – 25. Please remember that only Nordiq Canada members are eligible to vote!
• Announcement of the ‘winning’ toque design will be posted on Nordiq Canada’s Facebook page and website.

“We are excited to see what this talented group can achieve on the international stage,” said Julie Beaulieu, Nordiq Canada’s Sport Development Director. “The FISU games are an important part of our development pathway; supporting Canadians in pursuing both sport and education is a key priority. These athletes exemplify that it’s possible to excel in both areas at a high level.  

Nine men and eight women were selected through performances at qualification events held in Sovereign Lake, B.C., and Gatineau, Que., and Canmore, Alta.  

Among the team members are athletes such as Noah Weir Chaba, who competed at the 2023 FIS Junior World Ski Championships, and Sophie Tremblay and Robin Mason, both part of Canada’s 2023 delegation to the FISU Games in Lake Placid. 

Brothers Alexander and Nicholas Randall will have the rare opportunity to compete together on the international stage. 

“I don’t think the full weight of this opportunity has hit me yet,” said Nicholas, the older of the two. “I’ve done smaller multi-sport events before, but to get this chance on the world stage is unbelievable. It’s something I’ve been chasing since I started high-performance skiing seven years ago and doing it with my brother makes it even more special.” 

Both full-time students at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ont., the Randall brothers balance academics and competitive skiing, racing on Nordiq Canada’s domestic race circuit, which features a dedicated category for student-athletes. 

“Qualifying for this event as a university student demonstrates dedication to two demanding pursuits,” Nicholas added. “Balancing sport and academics shows it’s possible to combine passions and achieve meaningful success in both.” 

Another student-athlete achieving this balance is Sarah Cullinan from the University of Calgary. 

“It’s very exciting to be named to the FISU Games team alongside other Canadian student-athletes,” said Cullinan. “Representing Canada is always an honour, and showing that it’s possible to excel in academics and sport at a high level is an incredible opportunity.” 

“We are also encouraged to see Para nordic skiing being included in this year’s games for the first time”, said Julie Beaulieu. “It’s something long overdue and amazing to see another international race opportunity for Canada’s developing Para nordic skiers.” 

For the first time in FISU Games history, Para nordic events will be included, providing a platform for athletes like Charles Lecours, Canada’s first Para nordic competitor at the Games. 

I’m so excited to get the opportunity to race for Canada in Italy with the best Para nordic skiers my age,” said Lecours. “It’s so cool to be part of Canadian cross-country skiing history, especially when we’re talking about inclusion.”  

The FISU World University Games is an international multi-sport event where student-athletes represent their country on the world stage. This year, the Games return to their birthplace of Turin, where six municipalities will host 11 sports over 11 days from January 13–23, 2025. 

Introducing Team Canada:  

Women  

Helen McCulligh – Carleton University 

Sarah Cullinan – University of Calgary 

Brooke Ailey – Nipissing University 

Sienna Brennan-Raab – University of Calgary 

Emmanuelle Paquet – Cégep Garneau 

Sophie Tremblay – Laurentian University 

Stella Duncan – University of Calgary 

Sophia Giangrande – Carleton University 

Men 

Noah Weir Chaba – University of Calgary 

Rémi Boilard – Université Laval 

Robin Mason – University of Calgary 

Xavier Normandin – Cégep Garneau 

Nicholas Randall – Lakehead University 

Alexis Ermel – Université Laval 

Mats Halvorsen – Université Laval 

Alexander Randall – Lakehead University 

Para Nordic
Charles Lecours – Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières  

Staff

For more information: 2025 FISU World University Games 

For results: FIS Cross-Country 

Cover Photo: Doug Stephen

“To some people, it might seem like this result came out of nowhere,” said Stewart-Jones after the race. “But for me, I felt as good as I did two seasons ago. I’ve had some bad luck, and it was really frustrating. I knew things would eventually come together—I just had to be patient.” 

From illness last season to pole breaks, binding malfunctions and crashes this season, Stewart-Jones had faced numerous setbacks, often coming close to the top 10 but never finishing higher than 18th in the last two seasons. 

“I think there’s always an element of luck in racing, and luck hasn’t been on my side. Today, though, it felt like everything—luck, fitness and mental focus—came together. It’s been a long time coming, and I’m really stoked.” 

Athletes in the interval start format begin 30 seconds apart. Norway’s Astrid Øyre Slind, started just behind Stewart-Jones and quickly became a key part of the race dynamics. 

“Once Slind caught up to me, I just kept telling myself not to lose contact,” said Stewart-Jones. “I knew skiing alone would be much more difficult, so staying with her became my main focus.” 

Slind ultimately claimed victory, crossing the finish line in 48:54. Fellow Norwegian Therese Johaug finished 3.3 seconds behind, with Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen 20.3 seconds back. 

Stewart-Jones stayed with Slind until the finish, clocking in at 49:22 and tying with Germany’s Victoria Carl. Just 7.5 seconds off the podium, this result cements Stewart-Jones as a serious

Katherine Stewart-Jones celebrates with the Canadian World Cup staff after in Toblach, Italy.

contender on the World Cup circuit. 

“When I crossed the finish line, I didn’t even check the results. I knew I was in the top 10, but it wasn’t until I saw my team’s reaction that I realized how good it was.” 

“I saw their faces and was like, okay, it must have been really good, and I still can’t really believe it.” 

The last time a Canadian woman placed in the top four of a World Cup race was in 2011, when Chandra Crawford earned a second-place finish in Rogla, Slovenia. 

Stewart-Jones now sits 19th in the Tour de Ski standings, 3 minutes and 36 seconds behind the leader. The seven-stage event, much like the Tour de France, combines results from each stage to determine the overall standings. 

“My goal at the start of the tour was to finish in the top 15. I was really worried going into today because I was behind, but this result helped me catch up. Now I just need to stay consistent.” 

Canada’s Liliane Gagnon (Shawinigan-Sud, Que.) finished 38th with a time of 51:39, while Olivier Léveillé (Sherbrooke, Que.) and Antoine Cyr (Gatineau, Que.) placed 48th and 56th, respectively, in the men’s race. 

In Stage 4 tomorrow, athletes will compete in the 15-kilometre pursuit classic, with starting positions based on today’s results. Stewart-Jones will begin in fifth, ready to chase a podium finish. 

Full Women’s Results 

Natalie Wilkie of Salmon Arm, B.C., extended her podium streak, finishing second in the classic sprint event behind Norway’s Vilde Nilsen. China’s Zhiqing Zhao secured the bronze. In her season debut, Emma Archibald of Fall River, N.S., narrowly missed the podium, placing fourth. 

Mark Arendz of Hartsville, P.E.I., continued his strong start to the season with a bronze medal. He finished behind Germany’s Sebastian Marburger, who took gold, and France’s Benjamin Daviet, who earned silver. 

“I felt it went really well, transitioning from biathlon just two days earlier to being a contender in the qualification and finishing third,” said Arendz. “The winner was always going to be extremely tough to beat on the day, but I put myself in a position to secure a podium and fight for second place.” 

For the first time since 2014, Canada fielded an athlete in every classification category at a Para Nordic World Cup. This milestone was made possible by the addition of development athletes Logan Larivière (Lively, Ont.), Madison Mullin (Fergus, Ont.), and Charles Lecours (Trois-Rivières, Que.), who made their World Cup debuts. Supporting the team were guides Matthew Strum (Canmore, Alta.), a Canadian biathlete, and Tory Audet (Chelsea, Que.), a former national ski team athlete. 

“It’s great to see that we have athletes earning podiums, and at the same time we have athletes starting their first world cup’s all in one weekend,” said Nordiq Canada’s Para Nordic Development Coach Leslie Bode. “It shows that our development program is working, and it’s so exciting to see the older athletes like Mark (Arendz) and Brittany (Hudak) becoming mentors to the younger athletes”. 

Mullin and guide Audet placed sixth in the women’s visually impaired category. Larivière and guide Strum finished 14th in the men’s visually impaired category, while Lecours placed 31st in their World Cup debuts. 

Day 2 saw athletes face temperatures as low as –18 C during the 12.5-kilometre individual free event. Brittany Hudak and Mark Arendz both finished just off the podium in fourth place, clocking times of 33:00 and 28:52, respectively. 

In her season debut, Christina Picton of Fonthill, Ont., finished eighth with a time of 42:27. Sherbrooke, Que.’s Lyne-Marie Bilodeau placed ninth, stopping the clock at 44:02 in the women’s sitting category.  

“It was nice starting the season in a familiar place like Vuokatti,” said Picton. “I’m proud of the training season I had, and it was great to test myself on trails I’ve raced many times before. It was exciting to have a larger field in the women’s sitting category, giving me a clear sense of where I stand and how to set my goals for the rest of the season.” 

In the third and final race of the Vuokatti Para cross-country World Cup, athletes raced head-to-head in the 10km Mass Start Free event. Natalie Wilkie and Norway’s Nilsen Vilde were matched through the first three laps of the race in the women’s standing field. On the final lap Wilkie made the decisive move coming across the line with a triumphant celebration at a time of 32:44, 8 seconds ahead of Vilde. China’s Zhiqing Zhao finished third at 34:02, while Prince Albert, Sask.’s Brittany Hudak finished fourth (34:28). 

“The head-to-head racing format is always exciting, especially since we don’t race this way often,” said Wilkie. “Racing against athletes with different abilities is fascinating because we all have unique strengths—I’m strong on the hills, but two-poled athletes are faster on the flats. 

“My strategy was to stay with the lead group and be smart about my tactics. I tucked in behind some Norwegians to conserve energy throughout the windy course and made my final push on the last lap. 

“I’m thrilled with how my race played out today, and I’m ecstatic to take the win! It was extra inspiring to hear coaches from other countries cheering me on—I definitely gave it everything I had.” 

Starting in 13th place with a 2:42 deficit, Mark Arendz surged through the field in the men’s standing race. By the final lap, he climbed into fifth place and delivered a final push to secure bronze with a time of 31:34. China’s Chenyang Wang won gold at 29:55, followed by teammate Xiaobin Liu, who took silver at 30:47. 

“Eleven podiums over six races is an awesome start to the season,” said Canada’s Para nordic coach Brian McKeever, a 20-time Paralympic medalist. “There’s still room for improvement, and with World Championships on the calendar this season, every race is an opportunity to learn and prepare for that event.” 

This season, Canada’s Para nordic team will compete for Para Biathlon World Championships titles in Pokljuka, Slovenia, from Feb. 6-9, and Para Cross-country World Championships titles in Toblach, Italy, from Feb. 11-14. 

Arendz now leads the overall standing, while Emma Archibald is ranked fourth as the team heads into the holiday break. 

“After the sprint and the first 10km, I was surprised to learn that I’d have the leader’s bib for the mass start,” said Arendz. “With the third-place finish in the mass start, I’ll hold onto the leader’s position heading into the new year. I don’t recall ever having both leader’s bibs at the same time after a World Cup. It shows my improved consistency and reflects the decision to compete in every race so far this season.” 

Canada results summary  

Full Results: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/event-details.html?sectorcode=PCC&eventid=56092&seasoncode=2025