Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt and Leo Grandbois Sprint to Gold at Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals

THUNDER BAY, Ont.—Quebecers, Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt and Leo Grandbois, sprinted to the top spot of the podium at the 2023 Nordiq Canada Ski Nationals on Sunday in Thunder Bay, Ont.

A 2022 Olympian, Bouffard-Nesbitt (Morin Heights, Que.) captured her second medal of the weekend, her first gold, in the open women’s skate-ski sprint race. Grandbois, who skis out of Orford, went unbeaten in the opening weekend of the national championships, winning the men’s open sprint race. Grandbois also won Saturday’s 10-kilometre skate-ski race.

Maude Molgat, who is a member of the Whitehorse Ski Club, was tops in the U20 women’s sprint race, while Skibec’s Rémi Boilard was crowned U20 men’s champ.

Athlete Quotes:
“It always feels really good to get a victory at Nationals so I’m really happy about that and having a bit of a comeback after yesterday.”

“I raced a course that was close to the same as this in 2018. At that time, I didn’t make the final due to some tactical mistakes that I made so this year I corrected for that by just being near the front, or leading on that last uphil, because it is really hard to pass people on that uphill. I waited in the downhill section until I wanted to take the lead and then I put in a few extra pushes in some areas.”

“It worked out for me today. I was lucky that tactic was working.”

“Our women’s team is so big and strong this year. It is really fun to be here and share in that success and that excitement with everyone because the whole team is really stoked when we get lots of people on the podium. It is super fun to celebrate with the whole team.”
…Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt

“Not going to lie. I was stressed between heats because the field was strong. I had some difficulty in the quarter so I was a bit stressed for the semi and the final, but I guess that stress was giving me wings.”

“In the final when I put that extra gear on the last hill, I was really happy with that and the shape today.”

“In the quarter I made the mistake to be in front and I did not repeat that mistake in the semis and final. The first 900m are only downhill so I was staying behind Sasha. You need to give it all on the uphill and it worked out for me.”

“It’s great to win a distance and a sprint race the day after. I think it is proof I’m in shape right now. I’ll try to do the same on the 50k.”
…Leo Grandbois

Race Results:
Open Women                                                               Open Men
1.Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt (Fondeurs-Laurentides)            1. Léo Grandbois (Orford)
2. Anna Stewart (Nakertok Nordic)                                  2. Julien Locke (Team Black Jack)
3. Katie Weaver (Hollyburn Ski Club)                              3. Sasha Masson (Whitehorse Ski Club)

U20 Women                                                                 U20 Men
1 Maude Molgat (Whitehorse Ski Club)                          1. Rémi Boilard (Skibec)
2. Kate Mason (Nakkertok Nordic)                                  2. Noah Weir Chaba (Canmore Nordic)
3. Imogen Nadlersmith (Downtown Nordic)                    3. Ian Mayer (Telemark Nordic)

Complete Results: https://zone4.ca/event/2023/E39212D4/