Canmore cross-country skier Emily Nishikawa just keeps getting better and better.
Coming off a successful world championships, Nishikawa posted the best world cup result of her young career, finishing 23rd in the women’s 10 kilometre classic on Sunday (March 8) in Lahti, Finland.
Nishikawa clocked a time of 27:29, two minutes behind the legendary Marit Bjoergen of Norway. Heidi Weng of Norway was second and Charlotte Kalla of Sweden was third.
Nishikawa missed the first half of world championships in Falun, Sweden due to illness, but bounced back with a 30th-place finish in the 10 km skate race, and a 32nd in the 30 km classic mass start. She considers herself a classic specialist, however, her skate results have improved significantly over the course of the year.
“I was really happy to have another top 30. I have been feeling really good and I had great skis for the race. I started a little harder than I normally do and I think that really helped. I was in the top 20 until the 8.4 km mark where I faded a bit in the last kilometre. Hopefully next time I can hold that pace all the way for 10 km,” Nishikawa said.
This is the third time Nishikawa has cracked the top 30 this season, which should allow her to become a full, carded member of the Canadian national team next season, which would cover most of her costs.
“Emily skied very well and came out with a personal best,” said coach Tor-Arne Hetland.
Canada had four women in the 10 km classic race, as they gave several young skiers a shot on the world cup. Cendrine Browne finished 52nd, while Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt was 54th. Andrea Dupont finished 58th.
Alex Harvey was the top Canadian in the men’s 15 km classic race, finishing 17th. He clocked a time of 35:26.9 on the day. Italy’s Francesco De Fabiani won the race in 34:51.2, followed by Alexey Potoranin (34:54.2) and Finland’s Sami Jauhojaevi (34:55.8).
Graeme Killick was the second fastest Canadian on the day, finishing 41st with a time of 36:28. Ivan Babikov was 48th and prospects Kevin Sandau and Michael Somppi were 61st and 62nd respectively.
“We had good skis (Saturday and Sunday),” Hetland said. “We saw good racing out of Alex – I expect him to do well in Drammen later this week, and in the 50 km in Oslo.”
On Saturday (March 7), Canadians struggled in the sprint races, as they all failed to reach the qualifying round. Len Valjas was the top Canadian, finishing in 48th spot. Harvey finished 63rd, Jesse Cockney 68th and Somppi 74th.
On the women’s team, Dupont finished 42nd, followed by Browne (47th), Bouffard-Nesbit (56th), Heidi Widmer (58th) and Dahria Beatty (65th).
There are only two world cup weekends left for Canada’s top athletes, with a sprint and a 50 km race in Norway. Devon Kershaw has developed pneumonia and will miss the rest of the season. Cross Country Canada announced Tuesday (March 10) that Harvey, Babikov, Valjas and Nishikawa have been selected to race in those events.
The season will conclude with the Canadian National Cross Country Ski National Championships in Thunder Bay, Ont.
