Seventeen Student-Athletes Set to Represent Canada at the 2025 FISU World University Games in Cross-Country Skiing
Canmore, Alberta – Seventeen of Canada’s fastest student-athletes are ready to represent Canada in cross-country skiing at the 2025 FISU Winter World University Games in Turin, Italy.
“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
Sophie 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
For more information: 2025 FISU World University Games
For results: FIS Cross-Country
Cover Photo: Doug Stephen