Yukon’s newest Olympian was burning up the trails last weekend before heading to Sochi.
Whitehorse’s Emily Nishikawa took 40th in the 10-kilometre classic at the FIS Ski World Cup in Toblach, Italy on Saturday.
The 24-year-old, who was the only Canadian in the race, finished in 30:06.8 at the final world cup before the start of the Sochi Olympics on Saturday.
The result marks Nishikawa’s second best finish at a world cup event. She placed 34th at the Alberta World Cup just over a year ago in Canmore.
Nishikawa will take part in her first Olympic race on Saturday in the women’s skiathlon. The Whitehorse Cross Country Ski Club will be hosting a public viewing of her race in their clubhouse in the morning at 9:30 a.m.
Her first race comes just after Emily Nishikawa’s Olympic Dream Day on Friday in Whitehorse, as proclaimed by Whitehorse city council on Jan. 27.
“The support I’ve been receiving from Whitehorse is so incredible,” said Nishikawa in a recent email to the News. “Thanks to everyone - it is so special to share my Olympic journey with my community who has supported me for so long. I couldn’t be more proud to be a Yukoner.”
Nishikawa will also race in the 10-kilometre classic Feb. 13 and 30-kilometre skate Feb. 22.
She will be the first Yukon cross-country skier to compete at the Olympics since Jane Vincent and Lucy Steele at the Albertville Games in 1992.