From Local Hero to World Cup Star: Discover How Canada’s Top Female Skier Achieved Record-Breaking Success!

Katherine Stewart-Jones has had a standout week in cross-country skiing, and it’s clear something shifted for her this season. For those familiar with the sport, the question isn’t “who is she?” but rather, “were you waiting for this moment?”

Last week at the Tour de Ski, held in Toblach, Italy, Stewart-Jones impressed with her performance. She achieved her best career finishes, coming in fourth in the 20-kilometer freestyle and seventh in the 15-kilometer classic. She also notched two other top-15 finishes, marking a high point in her skiing career at age 29.

Stewart-Jones reflected on her journey and noted the bad luck she faced in previous seasons due to illness and injuries. These challenges lowered her ranking but also set the stage for her recent success at the Tour de Ski.

In cross-country skiing, race start orders differ from downhill skiing. Instead of top performers starting first, those with lower rankings begin ahead. For Stewart-Jones, this turn of events allowed her to race alongside competitors she could keep pace with, creating a more advantageous scenario for her.

One highlight of her race was starting just ahead of Norway’s Astrid Slind, who went on to win. Stewart-Jones had the clear goal of staying close to Slind, which was no easy feat.

Many elite female skiers in their 30s are finding success this season, like Jessie Diggins from the USA and Slind, who recently secured her first World Cup win at 36. This trend gives Stewart-Jones plenty to aspire to as she approaches her athletic peak.

Julia Mehre Ystgaard, the World Cup team lead for Nordiq Canada, states that athletes can enjoy long careers, especially women, with their prime potentially being in their 30s. In fact, Stewart-Jones was the youngest athlete in the top eight of the 15-kilometer classic race.

The coaching team believed in Stewart-Jones’ potential, and after her strong results, her confidence grew. “You could see her mentality change,” Ystgaard noted, highlighting how a good performance can shift an athlete’s mindset.

Beyond the races, Stewart-Jones is dedicated to her training all year round. She’s not just a hard worker but has also become adept at listening to her body and making smart training choices. Ystgaard emphasized that training smart is just as crucial as training hard.

As for Stewart-Jones, she’s confident that her recent performances are not just a one-time achievement but a glimpse of what she can accomplish throughout the season.

The World Cup series will continue in Les Rousses, France, from January 17 to 19, and Stewart-Jones will look to build on her recent success there.

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