Sonjaa Schmidt and Tom Stephen win day one of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials
Vernon, B.C. Dec. 14, 2025 – Pressure and nerves defined the opening day of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials, but Sonjaa Schmidt and Tom Stephen rose to the occasion, winning the 10km interval start classic race and earning their spot for nomination to Canada’s Olympic cross-country skiing team.
Schmidt, from Whitehorse, Yukon, won the event with a time of 31:06.1, ahead of her close friend and teammate Amelia Wells (31:12.5, Victoria, B.C.) and Olivia Bouffard Nesbitt (31:23.5, Morin Heights, Que.). The U23 World Champion admitted the weight of expectation hit hard before the start.
“It’s relieving,” Schmidt said. “I cried before the race because of nerves. There was a last-minute change on skis, we decided to go with zeros instead of wax, and I hadn’t even tested them. But it was a really good decision. I was able to kick really well and push hard over the hills.”
Schmidt said sitting in the leader’s chair for the first time was surreal.
“Classic is not my strong technique, so I just had to tell myself I could still race hard and win a classic race,” she said. “To share the podium with Amelia, who’s been my training buddy for six years, makes this moment even more special.”
On the men’s side, Stephen, from Calgary, Alta., delivered a performance that even surprised himself, taking the win in 26:35.3, ahead of Olivier Léveillé (26:52.8, Sherbrooke, Que.) and Antoine Cyr (26:54.1, Gatineau, Que.).
“I threw up this morning because of nerves,” said Stephen, who has been battling a back injury and only returned to skiing on snow 10 days ago. “This is my first race of the season. To come out and win, it’s emotional. I’ve worked so hard, put everything into this year, and to see it pay off is unbelievable.”
Stephen admitted disbelief when he realized his winning time would hold up.
“Even when I finished, I thought someone would knock me down,” he said. “I still don’t believe it happened. To celebrate with my parents at the finish line was so emotional, they’ve supported me through everything.”
Waxing played a critical role in Sunday’s results. With temperatures hovering near zero, finding the perfect balance of kick and glide proved challenging. In a bold last minute call, the Alberta World Cup Academy switched from traditional kick wax to a rub ski for its women’s team, a gamble that paid off.
The trials, held at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre in Vernon B.C. are a critical step toward team selection for the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. With only six available spots for the women, and four for the men every second counts.
Women’s podium:
- Sonjaa Schmidt — 31:06.1 (Whitehorse, Yukon)
- Amelia Wells — 31:12.5 (Victoria, B.C.)
- Olivia Bouffard Nesbitt — 31:23.5 (Morin Heights, Que.)
Men’s podium:
- Tom Stephen — 26:35.3 (Calgary, Alta.)
- Olivier Léveillé — 26:52.8 (Sherbrooke, Que.)
- Antoine Cyr — 26:54.1 (Gatineau, Que.)
Trials racing continues tomorrow with the 10km interval start free race, followed by the sprint free race the following day.
Full Results: https://zone4.ca/race/2025-12-14/96c58828/results
Photos for Media use (Photo Credit Vanessa Garrison): https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V1UsD_t6tUw7VB78TLQpaRVAgtkG-BXO?usp=drive_link
Athlete interviews: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1V1UsD_t6tUw7VB78TLQpaRVAgtkG-BXO?usp=drive_link