麻豆社区

Lois Johnston is the Yukon's latest golden girl on the world's cross-country ski circuit.

Johnston's success story has made both the territory and country proud at the Masters World Cup in Italy this week.

The 60-year-old Johnston has already won two gold medals and a bronze while competing in the W7 division (females age 60 to 65) in Asiago, Italy.

Johnston was the first member of the Canadian four-by-5 km relay team that struck gold yesterday.

"We pulled it off,鈥� she told the Star in an email. "Gold in the relay with very stiff competition. I was first out with some very fast skiers, but I kept up to them and we were in the running. We were able to keep up with the second group of classic skiers up 鈥� and then our skaters brought it home.

"It was very exciting and I wouldn't have missed it for the world.鈥�

The gold followed up Johnston's victory in the 10-km classic race that went Monday.

The skier seemed in disbelief about her race win.

"When I was double-poling to the finish, and they announced that the world champion for W7 was approaching the line, it was such a feeling,鈥� she said. "It was a pretty tight race.鈥�

Johnston spent the first four kilometers of the race behind opposing American and Russian skiers, before deciding to pass them on an uphill route.

"I decided to take off and I never saw them again,鈥� she explained. "I have to say that I liked that feeling of being out in front and there was no way I was going to let anyone pass! I focused on technique 鈥� double-poling and kick double-poling, and good strong climbing.鈥�

Johnston also won bronze in the 15-km freestyle ski on Saturday, collecting a personal best en route to her first medal of the competition.

"I had a great race 鈥� Can't quite believe it,鈥� she said. "Hard uphills, but great downhills. Very tough competition.鈥�

She will compete in a grueling 30-km classic race tomorrow, before returning to the Yukon next week.

Johnston, a coach with Cross-Country Yukon, won four medals last year 鈥� including a gold, and two silvers 鈥� at the national masters cross-country ski championships hosted in Golden, B.C.

She said the feeling of having a medal draped over your neck followed by the sounds of the Canadian anthem is one that never gets old.

"The medal ceremonies are amazing,鈥� she said. "On stage in a big arena, all decorated in authentic European fashion with traditionally dressed ladies, and pine trees and flowers all around 鈥� and an Italian guy to kiss me three times after he put the medal around my neck.

"Truly this is amazing. The people are so gracious 鈥� The hotel people treat us like a family and are just waiting for results and cheering us on and having champagne passed around for us.鈥�