Key Takeaways:
- Eleven cross-country skiers will represent Team Canada at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games.
- The team includes three returning Olympians and eight first-time Olympic team members.
- Katherine Stewart-Jones, Antoine Cyr, and Rémi Drolet are the returning Olympians, while Sonjaa Schmidt, Liliane Gagnon, Alison Mackie, Amelia Wells, Jasmine Drolet, Xavier McKeever, Tom Stephen, and Max Hollmann will make their Olympic debuts.
- The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will feature a gender-equal cross-country skiing program, with men’s and women’s events raced over the same distances.
Introduction to Team Canada
The Canadian cross-country skiing team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games has been announced, with eleven skiers set to compete in the prestigious event. The team was selected following the Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials, which took place from December 14-16 at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre in Vernon, British Columbia. The trials provided an opportunity for Canadian skiers to showcase their skills and earn a spot on the Olympic team.
Returning Olympians
Among the selected skiers are three returning Olympians, including Katherine Stewart-Jones, Antoine Cyr, and Rémi Drolet. Stewart-Jones, who made her Olympic debut at Beijing 2022, earned priority nomination to the Olympic team by achieving two top-10 finishes in individual events during the 2024-25 FIS World Cup season. She expressed her excitement about competing at the Olympics, stating, "I love racing, and especially when it’s on an even bigger stage. I really do think that pressure is a privilege in a lot of ways, and to get the opportunity to race at the highest level, at the Olympic Games, it’s going to be so exciting."
New Talent
The team also includes several talented young skiers who will be making their Olympic debuts. Sonjaa Schmidt, Liliane Gagnon, and Alison Mackie are among the up-and-coming skiers who have already achieved impressive results in international competitions. Schmidt made history at the 2024 FIS U23 World Championships by becoming the first Canadian woman to win a U23 World title in cross-country skiing. Gagnon won two individual bronze medals at the 2025 FIS U23 World Championships, while Mackie became the first Canadian woman to win a world junior championship medal in cross-country skiing since 1989.
Men’s Team
The men’s team includes Antoine Cyr, who has been knocking on the door of international podiums. Cyr has twice finished fourth in FIS World Cup events and helped Canada achieve a fifth-place finish in the classic team sprint at Beijing 2022. Xavier McKeever, who will be making his Olympic debut, comes from a family of Olympians and has already achieved top-10 finishes at the 2025 FIS U23 World Championships. Tom Stephen and Max Hollmann, who both overcame injuries to win events at the trials, will also compete in the men’s events.
Family Legacy
Xavier McKeever’s selection to the Olympic team is a testament to the strong family legacy in cross-country skiing. His parents, Milaine Thériault and Robin McKeever, are both Olympians, while his uncle, Brian McKeever, is Canada’s most decorated Winter Paralympian. McKeever expressed his excitement about representing Canada at the Olympics, stating, "Getting the chance to represent Canada at the Olympics is incredible, and it’s also so crazy that I’m going to be racing in Italy which is where I watched my mom compete at Turin 2006 when I was two years old. So it’s a pretty surreal moment to be able to race in Italy at the Olympics, 20 years later."
Gender Equality
The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will feature a historic gender-equal cross-country skiing program, with men’s and women’s events raced over the same distances. This includes the 50km mass start, which will close out the competition. The Canadian team is well-represented in both men’s and women’s events, with a strong mix of experienced and young skiers.
Conclusion
The Canadian cross-country skiing team for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games is a talented and diverse group of skiers. With a mix of experienced Olympians and young up-and-comers, the team is well-positioned to achieve success in Italy. The gender-equal cross-country skiing program is a significant milestone for the sport, and the Canadian team is ready to take on the challenge. As the skiers prepare to compete on the world stage, they will be fueled by their passion for the sport and their desire to represent Canada with pride.
