Canadians Wrap Up Nordic World Ski Championships with Distance Races, Dahria Beatty Skis into Retirement
PLANICA, Slo.— Olivier Léveillé and Katherine Stewart-Jones battled into the top-30 while Dahria Beatty called it a career following the cross-country ski marathon races over the weekend at the Nordic World Ski Championships on Sunday in Planica, Slovenia.
Léveillé, who was part of Canada’s fifth-place relay team earlier this week, was the top Canuck on Sunday skiing to 23rd place. The Sherbrooke, Que. resident completed the 50-kilometre mass start classic-ski race in a time of 2:05:55.0. Antoine Cyr, of Gatineau, Que., placed 36th at 2:10:26.8.
The Norwegians grabbed the top-two spots on the podium. Paal Golberg was first at 2:01:30.2. Johannes Klaebo skied to second place with a time of 2:01.31.2. Sweden’s William Poromaa was just over a second off the leading pace in third at 2:01:31.4.
Three Canadian women also hovered around the elite group of 30 in the 30-kilometre mass start. Katherine Stewart-Jones (Chelsea, Que.) led the way for the Canadians with a time of 1:29:34.3 for 28th position.
World Cup rookie, Liliane Gagnon of Quebec City, skied a steady race in 32nd (1:31:16.0).
All of the Canadian attention was on Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse) who marked the end of her career with a 36th-place finish (1:34:48.8).
A two-time Olympian who represented Canada nine times at the World Championships (Senior, U23 and Junior), Beatty first introduced herself to the world with a 15th place finish in her World Cup sprint debut during the 2016 Ski Tour Canada at the Canmore Nordic Centre. She went to post a handful of top-15 results over the last seven years while playing a leadership role on the Canadian women’s team and inspiring youth across the country to take up the sport of cross-country skiing.
Sweden’s Ebba Andersson was first across the finish line in a time of 1:22:18.0. Norway’s Anne Kalvaa placed second at 1:23.11.0. Frida Karlsson, also of Sweden, claimed third place at 1:23:12.2.
Dahria Beatty Quotes
“It was really fun to end my career with such an iconic race. The World Championship 30km is always one of the hardest races of the season, but also an incredible atmosphere to end with.”
“Being a professional athlete for the past decade is something I’ll be forever grateful for. I have made so many friends across the country and around the world.”
“Through four World Championships, two Olympic Games and 95 World Cup starts, I have had so many unforgettable moments. There have been so many highs and lows but some of my proudest race memories are realizing I qualified for my first Olympics after a really strong season in 2017, finishing 18th last year in an individual distance race at the Beijing Olympics and having my best result in the 30km pursuit in Engadin in 2021.”
“I am proud of being a leader of our women’s program for so many years, and I hope I’ve been able to encourage and inspire a few women to chase after their dreams in sport.”
“I’m really going to miss my amazing teammates and support staff. I’m so thankful for them all, and everyone in the ski community.”
Canadian Men’s 50km Results:
23.Olivier Léveillé (Sherbrooke, Que.) 2:05:55.0
36.Antoine Cyr (Gatineau, Que.) 2:10:26.8
Canadian Women’s 30km Results:
28.Katherine Stewart-Jones (Chelsea, Que.) 1:29:34.3
32.Liliane Gagnon (Quebec City) 1:31:16.0
36.Dahria Beatty (Whitehorse) 1:34:48.8