Nordiq Canada - Collin Cameron and Brian McKeever sprint to silver, Natalie Wilkie claims bronze

LILLEHAMMER, Nor.–The Canadian Para-Nordic Team celebrated a medal hat trick at the IPC World Cup in Lillehammer, Norway on Monday.

Teenager Natalie Wilkie and Collin Cameron both sprinted to their first podium performances of the season, while Brian McKeever and his guide, Graham Nishikawa, won their second-straight silver, and third podium of the season-opening event.

The reigning World Champion in the men’s sit-ski category, Collin Cameron of Sudbury, Ont., powered his way to his fifth IPC World Cup podium. The 31-year-old snagged the silver spot on the sprint podium.

“Considering the field, I’m really pleased with second today. I was really feeling heavy this morning, and surprised myself with a solid qualification time,” said Cameron. “I had a simple plan to just focus on keeping a high tempo and good technique for the semi and that got me through to the finals.

“I started to feel fresher after the semi, and thought if I raced smartly, I could have a shot for second in this field.”

Russia’s Ivan Golubkov won the gold. Danila Britika, of Russia, claimed the bronze medal.

Derek Zaplotinsky, of Smoky Lake, Alta., placed 10th.

The most accomplished winter Paralympian, Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa, continue to search for their golden form in Norway. After a golden start in the middle-distance race last week, the 40-year-old McKeever (Canmore, Alta.) and Nishikawa (Whitehorse) have claimed back-to-back silvers. A winner of 17 Paralympic medals, McKeever was second in his semifinal heat as well as the finals behind his top rival, Sweden’s Zebastian Modin.

Russia’s Aleksandr Artemov skied to the bronze medal.

Wilkie, of Salmon Arm, B.C., locked up the fourth World Cup medal of her young career in the women’s standing division. The 18-year-old advanced to the final after finishing second in her semifinal heat. She finished behind Norway’s hometown hero, Vilde Nilsen, who grabbed the gold. Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva skied to the silver medal.

Brittany Hudak, of Prince Albert, Sask., was fourth in her semifinal and did not advance to the finals.

Mark Arendz, of Hartsville, P.E.I., was edged off the podium in fourth place in the men’s standing classification. The division was won by Russia’s Vitalii Malyshev.

Competing in her first full season on the IPC World Cup, Lyne-Marie Bilodeau of Sherbrooke, Que., placed 17th in the women’s sit-ski category.

Complete Para-Nordic Results: https://www.paralympic.org/nordic-skiing/live-results/info-live-results/NS1N19/eng/zz/engzz_general-general-schedule.htm

Nordiq Canada is the governing body of para-nordic and cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, Nordiq Canada develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on Nordiq Canada, please visit us at www.nordiqcanada.ca.

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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Nordiq Canada

T: 403-620-8731