Canada’s Jack Carlyle Skis to Silver, Katherine Stewart-Jones Grabs Bronze at Haywood NorAm in Canmore

CANMORE, Alta.—The Canadian flag was raised above the silver and bronze-medal steps of the senior podium at the Haywood NorAm on Sunday in Canmore, Alta.

Jack Carlyle, of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., cranked out a silver medal performance in the men’s 15 kilometre race, while Katherine Stewart-Jones (Chelsea, Que.) snagged the bronze in women’s 10-kilometre skate-ski individual start.

Carlyle battled through the chilly mountain air and up and down the punishing hills of the Canmore Nordic Centre to clock a second-place time of 42:56.8., just .8 seconds back of the gold medallist from the United States, Benjamin Lustgarten (42:56.0).

“I’m pretty happy about it today. I would have loved to have been on top of the podium, but it was tough fight out there,” said Carlyle. “I’m happy I really went for it at the beginning and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Hunter Wonders, also of the United States, placed third at 43:04.1

Canada’s Katherine Stewart-Jones hopped onto the women’s podium for the second-straight day. The 24-year-old was hoping for more after completing each of the three 3.3 kilometre loops in a total time of 30:56.2.

“I’m definitely a little disappointed. I was really tired today,” said Stewart-Jones, who was second on Saturday’s classic-ski individual start race. “It is kind of frustrating. I just feel like I had some not so great skis the last couple of days, and when you feel like the form is there, it is difficult. It’s been a long weekend, but I had fun out there.”

Two American athletes grabbed the top-two spots on the women’s podium.

Caitlin Gregg set the time to beat at 29:55.6, while Katharine Ogden was second at 30:19.0.

Emily Nishikawa Skis to 10th at Opa Cup

Emily Nishikawa was the lone Canuck to suit up for a women’s 10-kilometre skate-ski race in Pokljuka, Slovenia on Sunday where she finished in 10th place.

The 30-year-old, two-time Olympian clocked a time of 26:24.7.

“Today was a good start, and being my first real race of the season, I’m happy with where my shape is,” said Nishikawa. “I definitely have a few little things to work on for next weekend, but I am confident heading into the World Cup.”

The Italians grabbed the top-two spots on the podium. Elisa Brocard was first at 25:56.5, while Sara Pellegrini skied to the silver at 25:58.1. Flora Dolci, of France, placed clocked-in at 26:03.4 for third place.

Complete Haywood NorAm Results: https://zone4.ca/race/2019-12-08/6a6ecc70/results/

Complete Opa Cup Results: https://www.fis-ski.com/DB/general/results.html?sectorcode=CC&raceid=35380

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