As the countdown to the Milan Cortina Olympics begins, Julia Mehre Ystgaard, the head coach of Canada’s cross-country ski team, is brimming with optimism. With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, Ystgaard firmly believes that her athletes can clinch medals at the upcoming Games. “I have no hesitation in saying that we can medal. It’s a bold claim, I understand,” she stated with a hint of laughter. “But having witnessed the potential of these athletes and the way they inspire one another, I’m confident it’s achievable.”
A Focus on Team Events
Ystgaard has placed particular emphasis on the team events, specifically the men’s relay and the women’s team sprint, as key opportunities for success. Historically, Canada has secured only three Olympic medals in cross-country skiing, all won by women. This includes Beckie Scott’s gold in the women’s 10-kilometre pursuit in Salt Lake City in 2002—a medal she earned after her competitors were disqualified for doping—as well as her silver alongside Sara Renner in the 2006 team sprint in Turin. Chandra Crawford also struck gold in the free sprint that same year.
The current squad boasts an average age of 24.5 years, with eight members aged 23 or younger. Among the more experienced athletes are 25-year-old Remi Drolet, 27-year-old Antoine Cyr, 30-year-old Katherine Stewart-Jones, and 33-year-old Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt. The youngest member, Alison Mackie, is just 20. Ystgaard highlighted the potential of her youthful team, noting their strong performances at junior events. “They are starting to believe in their capabilities on a larger stage, and that confidence is reflected in their recent races,” she remarked.
Experienced Leadership and Promising Talent
While only four athletes—Drolet, Cyr, Stewart-Jones, and Bouffard-Nesbitt—have Olympic experience from the Beijing Games, they are vital to the team’s aspirations. Stewart-Jones finished 12th in the team sprint in Beijing and helped the Canadian team to a ninth-place finish in the relay. Ystgaard commended her veteran’s leadership, emphasising how Stewart-Jones supports her teammates while continuously working on her own performance.
Cyr, who previously contributed to Canada’s best-ever performance in the men’s team sprint by finishing fifth in Beijing, is noted for his exceptional skills in classic skiing. “When he’s in a classic mass start, he truly becomes a force to be reckoned with,” Ystgaard stated.
The team has demonstrated promising form leading up to the Olympics, with Mackie achieving a career-best fifth-place finish during Stage 3 of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Italy. Cyr also excelled, finishing 11th, while teammates Xavier McKeever and Max Hollmann attained personal bests, placing 13th and 14th, respectively.
Preparing for the Olympic Challenge
In preparation for the Games, the Canadian team held a final altitude training camp in Switzerland’s Engadin Valley, strategically located at 830 metres above sea level, a height Ystgaard considers optimal for their preparations. “Some might argue this is altitude training, but we typically define it as needing to be above 1,400 metres to consider it true altitude racing,” she clarified. Nevertheless, the team is approaching their training with a focus on readiness and adaptability.
The cross-country events will take place approximately 300 kilometres northeast of Milan at the Tesero Cross-Country Skiing stadium in the Val di Fiemme region, a venue equipped with 19 kilometres of meticulously groomed trails. This familiar territory, often used for the Tour de Ski, presents a tactical challenge with both natural and artificial snow. “The course has been slightly modified to make it more suitable for the Games, and as a team, we generally perform well in Val di Fiemme,” Ystgaard added.
A Journey of Dedication and Growth
Ystgaard’s journey with the Canadian cross-country ski team has been extensive; she has worn many hats, including assistant coach, high-performance coach, and even wax technician. Originally from Norway, she came to Canada as an exchange student while pursuing her bachelor’s degree at the Norwegian School for Sport Sciences. Drawn by the allure of the Canadian Rockies, she ended up in Alberta, where her involvement with the national team began.
Her coaching career took off after being invited to assist at a camp prior to the 2019 World Junior Championships, leading to a position with the Alberta World Cup Academy. Over the years, she has transitioned to work with the World Cup team, ultimately becoming the lead coach in May 2024.
Cross-country skiing has been part of the Olympic landscape since the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix in 1924. Women’s events were introduced in 1952 in Oslo, and now Canada’s team is poised to make its mark in the sport.
**Canada’s Olympic Cross-Country Ski Team Roster:**
**Men:** Antoine Cyr (Gatineau, Que.), Remi Drolet (Rossland, B.C.), Max Hollmann (Thunder Bay, Ont.), Xavier McKeever (Canmore, Alta.), Tom Stephen (Calgary).
**Women:** Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt (Morin Heights, Que.), Jasmine Drolet (Rossland, B.C.), Liliane Gagnon (Shawininigan-Sud, Que.), Alison Mackie (Edmonton), Sonjaa Schmidt (Whitehorse), Katherine Stewart-Jones (Chelsea, Que.), Amelia Wells (Victoria).
**Alternate:** Graham Ritchie (Parry Sound, Ont.).
Why it Matters
The aspirations of Canada’s cross-country ski team at the Milan Cortina Olympics extend beyond mere participation; they represent a broader narrative of growth and resurgence within the sport. With a blend of seasoned leadership and emerging talent, the potential for success is palpable. As the athletes prepare to take on the world, their journey embodies not only personal ambition but also the spirit of Canadian sport, inspiring a new generation to dream big and aim high on the international stage.
