Some of the Yukon’s pre-eminent cross country skiers were honoured at a special ceremony at the Mount McIntyre Recreation Centre recently. 

Derek Deuling, Sasha Masson and Sonjaa Schmidt were presented with $750 cheques from Cross Country Yukon during the ceremony toward expenses incurred on their ski tours. 

Deuling and Masson competed in the 2024 U23 World Championships in Planica, Slovenia, with Deuling winning gold in the 4×5 Mixed Relay Classic/Free. Deuling and his teammates made Canadian skiing history with the win. 

Schmidt won the 1.2 kilometre Sprint at the U23 Worlds, becoming the first Canadian to achieve that feat. Not wanting to mess with success, she was off tree-planting in B.C., the same routine she had last summer before she captured gold in Slovenia. 

Deuling spoke about his victory at the event. 

“It was one of the coolest experiences of my life to be over in Slovenia with Team Canada. Starting off the race was kind of crazy. It was nerve-wracking for sure,” he said. “But having Sonjaa start out the week winning gold in the sprint gave everyone so much hope throughout the week and we all were just super, super-excited. 

“Starting, it was rainy conditions, not too sure on my skis, just tried to stay with the Norwegians and Swedes and Finland. It was five kilometres just hanging on for dear life.” 

Masson spent some time at the U23 World Champs sick in bed. 

“The week I fell sick in Planica, I got a bunch of messages, mostly from the Yukon, saying how sorry, or how they were thinking about me. So I really want to say thank you. It feels like we have this community that supports us.” 

He also raced on the World Cup circuit, breaking through with an 11th-place finish at Lahti, Finland. 

Masson added that the organization would be doing some fundraising to finance its World Cup races. 

Deuling and Schmidt are on the National Junior A team. Masson is on the B team. Constance Lapointe is on the Canadian development team. Minty Bradford, who raced at the Junior Olympics in Korea, is on the prospects team. 

“We have five prospects representing across the national teams this year. That’s very exceptional,” said Graham Nishikawa, head coach of Cross Country Yukon, who MC’d the event. 

The Yukon Star spoke with Deuling and Masson after the ceremony. They had been training with the current members of the cross country team that afternoon. Masson said, “We want to inspire the next generation to take up the lead eventually.” 

Regarding how their season went, Deuling said, “I was injured last year so I didn’t get to ski, so it was a year of unexpected success. A lot of opportunities and I think Sasha and I both stepped up to those opportunities and took it to the next level. “It was really amazing to be able to ski for Team Canada, Team Yukon.”  

Deuling said skiing in Europe against the powerhouse nations of skiing was “a year of learning.” 

Masson said it was an eye-opening experience. “This year has really changed our perspective. Just want to add some medals and podiums to that and make our Yukon proud and Canada proud.” 

The two skiers spoke about what it means to represent the Yukon. 

“The small community – it just makes a difference,” said Masson. “The fact that Derek and I have been best friends for the last 20 years or so – it’s incredible to be on the same circuit. 

“Same thing with Sonjaa. We’ve known her since she’s a tiny little child, so it’s just crazy to think we’re all on the circuit at the same time and making history one ski race at a time.” 

When asked about being role models, the pair said they try to do the best that they can.

“Coming back, it’s reminiscing on all our stupid adventures around the ski club,” related Deuling. “But it’s fun to be back and show what is possible. We try to be the best role models we can as far as training and work ethic go.” Masson added, “We look up to them, the generation before us, so I hope they look up to us.” 

They were asked if they hope to inspire a future generation of skiers. 

“We’d love to,” they both responded. “We need some more Yukoners to take up our places and up our game, too,” added Masson. 

Regarding having five Yukon skiers on the national team, Deuling said, “There’s not that many skiers on the national team. Per capita, we’ve always been there, and I hope it keeps on like that, because it is really, really cool to see so many Yukoners going fast.” 

Masson said they will be training in Quebec this summer. 

They are planning on racing on the World Cup circuit and at the U23 Championships again. 

Masson said 2025 will be an important year for them, with the World Ski Championships taking place in Norway. All those events are leading up to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. 

Nishikawa said he didn’t think that Canada has ever had two U23 world champions. 

“To have two from Whitehorse, it’s historic, for sure.” 

Nishikawa pointed out that his sister, Emily, and Dahria Beatty, former national team members, came out to greet the next generation of cross country skiers. 

“Dahria and Emily were there when they were young teenagers and now having them come out today and reconnect with the ski community, you just keep the cycle going.” 

Nishikawa added, “It’s an exciting time, especially for Yukon skiers. They’re just starting their ski careers – Sasha, Derek and Sonjaa – so I think it’ll be an exciting few years.” 

Bradford said, “I’m only here just to support Sasha, Derek and Sonjaa, but this year I competed for Canada at the Youth Olympic Games in South Korea, and that was a really cool experience representing Canada in a big competition, and it was such a fun way to have my first international races.” 

Bradford, 15, said she sees Masson, Deuling and Schmidt as role models. 

“Having Sasha, Derek and Sonjaa to look up to is so cool and also more in the past, Dahria, Emily and Graham. It’s been such an inspiration for me to see that they came from the same program.”