Whitehorse Daily Star

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HAPPY GROUP – Left to right: Dahria Beatty, Julia Kern and Caitlin Patterson after the Open Women 1.2 km Classic Sprint at the XC Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park Wednesday. Kern was first, followed by Patterson and Beatty, who won the National crown as top Canadian. Photos courtesy of DOUG STEPHEN

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GOING FOR GOLD – Derek Dueling stays ahead of his competitors on the way to a first-place finish in the U20 Men 1.4 Classic Sprint at the XC Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park Wednesday. Photos courtesy of DOUG STEPHEN

Yukon cross-country skiers enjoy outstanding day at Canadian Nationals

Wednesday was another outstanding day on the slopes for Yukon cross-country skiers at the Canadian Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park.

By Whitehorse Star on March 24, 2022

Revised - Wednesday was another outstanding day on the slopes for Yukon cross-country skiers at the Canadian Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park.

Whitehorse Olympian Dahria Beatty captured her first National title of the week by finishing as the top Canadian in the Open Women 1.2 km Classic Sprint, which featured an international field.

Julia Kern of the U.S. grabbed the gold medal and American Caitlin Patterson snagged the silver, according to a Nordiq Canada press release.

“I was really tired, but I knew my skis were running really well,” said Beatty.

“I usually have a strong double pole finish. Tactically speaking, I was working really well to go to the outside in the finish chute where people hadn’t skied in the qualifier because it was a lot faster, and I was confident in my finish.”

Battling through four seasons of conditions between the heats, the 28-year-old Beatty was the lone Canadian matched up against five Americans in the final of the head-to-head heats.

“I was just trying not to lose too much time on the climbs today. Unfortunately, I let a gap open up to Caitlin (Patterson) and wasn’t able to close back on that, but I’m happy with my effort,” she said.

“This is just my second national sprint title, and first in classic, so I’m really happy.”

Whitehorse's Derek Deuling took top spot in the Men's U20 Classic Sprint.

Another Yukoner, Sasha Masson, finished third in the race.

Sonjaa Schmidt finished fifth in the U20 Women's Classic Sprint among the Canadians.

The U18 and U16 sprint races are taking place today.

Here are the Yukon results from Wednesday:

Open Women 1.2 km Classic Technique

3) Dahria Beatty 3:17.72 (Top Canadian)

U20 Men 1.4 km Classic Technique

1) Derek Deuling 3:24.70
3) Sasha Masson 3:17.65

U20 Women 1.2 km Classic Technique

6) Sonjaa Schmidt 3:27.66 (5th Canadian)

It was another strong day for Yukoners at the XC Nationals at Whistler Olympic Park Thursday in the Classic Sprint. Here are the results:

U16 Boys

3) Simon Connell 2:36.87

U16 girls

16) Cheyenne Tirschmann 3:02.71 26) Aramintha Bradford 2:59.15

U18 girls

6) Maude Molgat 3:03:62
(5th Canadian)
8) Constance Lapointe 3:01:20 (7th Canadian)
19) Sophia Giangrande 3:00.11
33) Bella Mouchet 3:08.84

U18 boys

30) Noah Connell 2:37.99
53) Cole Germain 2:43.95
60) Isidore Champagne 2:46.90

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