Nordiq Canada News
World Cup P1 Selection Synopsis & Rationale
Nordiq Canada Names 16-Athlete Team for Opening World Cup Period of the 2026–27 Season
Nordiq Canada has announced its 16-athlete World Cup Period One (WC P1) team for the opening competitions of the 2026–27 FIS Cross-Country World Cup season in Ruka, Finland; Trondheim, Norway; and Davos, Switzerland.
After evaluating potential venue options and snow reliability, Nordiq Canada has confirmed that a mid-November WC P1 Trials event will not be held.
The High Performance Committee determined that it would not be possible to deliver a trials competition that meets the standard required for World Cup selection. The decision was based on several factors, including the lack of guaranteed snow conditions, the absence of a venue capable of providing a World Cup-standard race course, and the likelihood that, even with sufficient snow, available course widths would not safely and fairly accommodate the race formats required for athlete selection.
“Our responsibility is to ensure that World Cup selections are made through a process that is fair, credible, and reflective of the demands athletes will face on the international stage,” said Eric de Nys, High Performance Director, Nordiq Canada. “Rather than force a trials event under uncertain conditions, we chose the path that best preserves the integrity of the selection process while remaining consistent with our published criteria. We are excited to send a team that has earned this opportunity and is well positioned to represent Canada as the World Cup season begins.”
In accordance with the published 2026–27 World Cup Selection Criteria, the High Performance Committee has finalized the World Cup Period One team through the established objective performance criteria, followed by selections made under Section 5 of the published World Cup Selection Criteria, where applicable.
World Cup Period One Team
Men
Selected through Objective Criteria
• Olivier Léveillé – COC Leader
• Antoine Cyr
• Tom Stephen
• Xavier McKeever
• Remi Drolet
Selected under Section 5 of the published World Cup Selection Criteria
• Max Hollmann
• Sasha Masson
• Graham Ritchie
• Finn Redman
• Pierre Grall-Johnson
Women
Selected through Objective Criteria
• Sonjaa Schmidt – COC Leader
• Alison Mackie
• Liliane Gagnon
• Katherine Stewart-Jones
Selected under Section 5 of the published World Cup Selection Criteria
• Jasmine Drolet
• Ruby Serrouya
The World Cup Period One selection process reflects Nordiq Canada’s commitment to applying its published selection criteria while ensuring athlete selection is conducted through processes that are safe, equitable, and consistent with the performance standards required for international competition.
The World Cup Period One campaign opens in Ruka, Finland (November 27–29) before continuing to Trondheim, Norway (December 4–6) and concluding in Davos, Switzerland (December 12–13), providing the team’s first opportunity to establish Nations Cup momentum and build toward the remainder of the 2026–27 international season.
Nordiq Canada congratulates all selected athletes and wishes the team success as it begins the World Cup season representing Canada on the international stage.