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Alison Mackie Makes History History with Bronze—Canada’s First Women’s Nordic Junior Worlds Medal Since 1989
Schilpario, Italy – February 5, 2025 – Edmonton’s Alison Mackie delivered a stellar performance at the 2025 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships, capturing the bronze medal in the women’s 20km mass start classic race.
“It feels amazing,” said Mackie. “I’ve been feeling really good this week and the past few weeks, and I knew that a top three was definitely in the cards. I’m really proud of how I skied the course today, and how I stuck with the leaders.”
Norway’s Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen won the race with a time of 57:36. Her teammate Hanna Engesaeter Soerbye, secured the silver medal with a time of 58:04 while Mackie finished in bronze with a time of 58:07.
“We truly are just getting things started as female cross-country skiers in Canada,” said Mackie “I’m really happy to podium on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. It’s a perfect day to have this result to really show that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.”
After three fourth place finishes for the women this season, Mackie broke the streak that included a fourth by Alison herself in Monday’s Sprint Classic race, a fourth by Whitehorse’s Sonja Schmidt in the Engadin World Cup and a fourth by Ottawa’s Katherine Stewart-Jones in the World Cup Tour de Ski.
“I train with Sonjaa and Katherine a lot through the summer, and to see both of them having so much success this season was really inspiring for me going into this event.”
“Alison used her strengths to her advantage,” said Alison’s coach, Tormod Vatten. “Also all Canadians had such strong performances, finishing higher than or very close to their bib numbers, which says something about the system in Canada.”
It was a strong day for the rest of the team as well, with Clara Hegan finishing with a personal best world Junior finish in 17th place, followed by Constance Lapointe in 27th and Aramintha Bradford in 31st. On the men’s side, Zachari Moreau finished 18th, Justin Boudreau placed 24th, and Jonas Rolseth came in 33rd.
The FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships continue throughout the week, with Canada’s athletes looking to build on Mackie’s success in the upcoming events.
“I’m hoping for a really strong race again on Friday in the skate individual start,” said Mackie. “I’m also looking forward to the mixed team relay where I know our team is a contender for the podium.”
Cover photo Graeme Williams