Photo by Vince Fedoroff
SAYING THANKS 鈥� Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club board president Anne Kennedy, right, receives Graham Nishikawa's bib from the World Nordic Ski Championships in Italy yesterday. His sister Emily, centre, also attended the championships. The bib will be on display in the wax room at the chalet.
The territory's famous ski siblings, Graham and Emily Nishikawa, returned home to Whitehorse earlier this month to rest and celebrate their finest racing season yet.
The territory's famous ski siblings, Graham and Emily Nishikawa, returned home to Whitehorse earlier this month to rest and celebrate their finest racing season yet.
The two visited the Whitehorse Cross-Country Ski Club yesterday to donate Graham's bib from the World Nordic Ski Championships in Italy, where both siblings competed in late February.
Graham, 29, said the bib is a token of appreciation for the club and the community at large that continues to show support to the two local skiing stars.
Enjoying some relaxation after a season both Graham and Emily called their best yet, the duo's thoughts have begun to turn to next season 鈥� and the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia next February.
"The Olympics is both of our main goals,鈥� said Emily, 23. "Qualifying for the world championships was the goal this year. But ever since I was a kid, the Olympics has been the dream.鈥�
Graham agreed, noting that a top-15 finish in a World Cup race last December showed him he could ski with the world's best.
"That was my all-time greatest race,鈥� he said of the 30-km skiathlon that he finished in 1:18:09 in December.
"Everything was there that day. I never thought this would happen 10 years ago.鈥�
In May, the Nishikawas will return to Canmore to once again take up training with the national development team.
The two will need to win two yet-to-be scheduled races next season to qualify for the Canadian Olympic team, but have high hopes that they will be successful.
Emily said her training plans won't deviate much from this past season, except for a few "little things鈥� she needs to tweak regarding endurance.
Last month at the Haywood Ski Nationals, she was forced to withdraw due to physical and mental exhaustion after the frenetic pace of her travel schedule.
Graham said he wouldn't deviate from his training either, stating that a similar approach coupled with long hours of training will continue to do the trick.
While in Whitehorse, the two have continued to hit the trails daily. Fresh snow has meant the local trails remain in very good condition.
The Nishikawas grew up in the Riverdale neighbourhood, attending both Selkirk Elementary and F.H. Collins Secondary School.
Their parents 鈥� Bob Nishikawa and Joan Stanton 鈥� and younger brother Martin 鈥� as well as the community 鈥� have always been supportive of their pursuits, ever since the youngsters strapped on skis at the age of six.
"We really feel the support of the community throughout the season,鈥� Emily said.
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Michael McCann on Apr 18, 2013 at 10:49 am
Congratulations Graham and Emily ... all of us are incredibly proud of you both.