Canada’s Xavier McKeever makes gold hat tricks for juniors in cross-country skiing in Sweden
McKeever finished almost 90 seconds faster than second place Jens Junes from Sweden. Sweden’s Theo Mattei took bronze in 34: 31.8.
“This is my first skating distance race of the year, so I really had no idea how to cope,” McKeever said in a statement from Nordiq Canada.
“I just wanted to give. I’m so pissed off at how things turned out.
“In total, I had three stable races this week. There is still a lot to improve technically, but it’s great to get the season started and see where the form is.”
Brian McKeever, a 17-time Paralympic medalist in the classification for the visually impaired, competed in a 15k men’s skate-ski Sunday to prepare for the upcoming Para World Cup season and placed 54th.
He also helped his nephew and teammate Canadian Remi Drolet in Gaellivare by lending them skis.
“He’s been helping me test skis for the last few days,” Xavier said.
“I used a pair of his skis in the sprint race and also tried a pair today to choose the best skis I can.
“He is so helpful to all of us and generous in lending his equipment to us, but I also know that once you get out on the track, it’s just you.”
Drolet of Rossland, BC, placed 16th in the men’s 15k.
Meanwhile, Katherine Stewart-Jones from Chelsea Que quit. 11th in an international 10k skate-ski race for ladies in Norway.
The World Cup season in cross-country running starts next weekend in Rukka, Finland.
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on November 21, 2021.
Canadian Press