Canadian squad announced for JWSC 2019
Dec 19, 2018·Cross-Country
**CANMORE, Alta.—**Eighteen young Canucks who represent the next generation of cross-country ski talent in the country have just been named to Canada’s 2019 Junior and Under-23 World Championship Team that will compete in Lahti, Finland, January 19 – 27.
Cross Country Ski de fond Canada will send five women and five men to the Junior World Championships, as well as four women and four men for the Under-23 events. Athletes hail from clubs across the country in provinces and territories that include British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and the Yukon.
“This is a young group with an exciting mix of International experienced athletes and first timers. These up and comers have gained experience racing domestically on the Haywood NorAm circuit,” said Erik Braten, Junior national team coach, Cross Country Ski de fond Canada.
Each of the athletes earned a coveted spot on Team Canada based on their results at the Haywood NorAm Junior and Under-23 World Championship Trials that were held over the weekend at the Canmore Nordic Centre. The trials were originally scheduled for Whistler Olympic Park, but race officials were forced to move the event due to a lack of snow. The Canmore Nordic Ski Club graciously stepped up to successfully stage the four-day, three-race event.
Among the up and comers ready to introduce themselves to the world in junior action are two sets of siblings and the son of cross-country ski Olympians Milaine Theriault and Robin McKeever.
Jasmine Drolet and Remi Drolet from Rossland, B.C., along with Isobel Hendry and Sam Hendry from Canmore, Alta. headline the family connection. Sam Hendry and Remi Drolet are coming off a strong trials where they mixed it up with many of the country’s top senior skiers in the distance races.
The youngest member of the Canadian team will be Xavier McKeever who will gain valuable international experience in his continued development.
Before hitting the start line in Finland, the team will benefit from the experience of four-time Olympian and one of Canada’s most accomplished cross-country skiers, Devon Kershaw, who will lead the team through a weeklong training camp in Sjusjøen, Norway.
The following is a complete list of Canada’s 2019 Junior and Under-23 World Championship Teams.
JUNIOR WOMEN
CLUB
TOWN
Jasmine
Drolet
Black Jack Cross Country
Rossland, B.C.
Isobel
Hendry
Canmore Nordic
Canmore, Alta.
Molly
Miller
Black Jack Cross Country
Kimberly, B.C.
Anna
Pryce
Foothills Nordic
Calgary, Alta.
Anne-Marie
Petitclerc
Club Nordique Mont-St-Anne
Beaupre, Que.
U23 WOMEN
Marie
Corriveau
Club Nordique Mont-St-Anne
St-Ferreol-Les Neige, Que.
Natalie
Hynes
Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club
Whitehorse, YK
Hannah
Mehain
Telemark Nordic
Vernon, B.C.
Sadie
White
Big Thunder Nordic/NTDC
Thunder Bay, Ont.
JUNIOR MEN
Remi
Drolet
Black Jack Cross Country
Rossland, B.C.
Sam
Hendry
Canmore Nordic
Canmore, Alta.
Xavier
McKeever
Foothills Nordic
Canmore, Alta.
Pierrick
Sarthou
Club de ski de fond Monteriski
Longueuil, Que.
Tom
Stephen
Foothills Nordic
Calgary, Alta.
U23 MEN
Antoine
Cyr
Club de ski de fond Skinouk
Gatineau, Que.
Graham
Ritchie
Big Thunder Nordic/NTDC
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Julien
Smith
Georgian Bay Nordic/NTDC
Thunder Bay, Ont.
Gareth
Williams
Telemark Nordic
Kelowna, B.C.
