Table of Contents
Cross-country skiing is a widespread recreational activity in many northern countries, and it is a particularly popular in Canada. Let’s see who are the best Canadian cross-country skiers.
Best Canadian Cross-Country Skiers
1. Beckie Scott
Rebecca ‘Beckie’ Scott is a former Canadian cross-country skiing champion who represented Canada in the international arena of cross-country skiing. The 47-year-old began cross-country skiing at the age of five. Her first attended competition was the Junior National Championships in 1988 at the age of seven. Following her passion for cross-country skiing, she also represented Canada at the Olympics and World Championships.
Beckie Scott earned 17 world cup medals in the sprint and individual races. She is also a three-time Olympian. At the Olympics, Beckie won two medals in total, 1 gold and 1 silver in pursuit and team sprint events. She is also the first Canadian woman to earn an Olympic medal in cross-country skiing. Beckie also holds several triumphs and podiums to her name on the World Cup circuit. Retired in 2006, Beckie is now an inductee of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame. We are yet to see another Canadian cross-country skier with the same level of technical prowess and humility for the sport as demonstrated by Beckie Scott.
2. Alex Harvey
Alex Harvey is a retired Canadian Cross-country skier known for his passion for cross-country skiing. The 33-year-old Canadian maestro competed in international cross-country skiing events for Canada between 2005 and 2019. In 2008, Harvey competed in the team sprint at the Whistler Olympic Park, while 50 km events at Trondheim, securing third place at both instances. He also competed at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 event in Liberec. At this event, he managed fifth place in relay, 22nd in double pursuit, 28th in the individual sprint, and 36th in 15 km events.
Harvey also competed in the 2010 Winter Olympics representing Canada and secured 4th and 7th spot in the team sprint and relay events respectively. At the World Championships, Harvey managed to win 5 medals in total for Canada. These include 2 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze in 30 km skiathlon, 50 km mass start, sprint, team sprint events.
3. Chandra Crawford
Born in Canmore, Alberta, Canada, Chandra Crawford is a former 38-year-old Canadian cross-country skier who started competing in international cross-country skiing events in 2001. At the Winter Olympics 2006 in Italy, she managed to win a gold medal in sprint events. Crawford also earned her first world cup gold medal in January 2008 in her hometown.
Following her solid performance at the world cup, Crawford won her 2nd gold medal in March 2008 in Finland. She ended the 2008 world cup on a high by securing 7th in the sprint while 23rd in overall events. Crawford also made appearances in freestyle sprint events during the 2014 Winter Olympics, where she managed 44th place for her country. On March 27, 2014, Chandra Crawford declared her retirement from competitive skiing.
4. Devon Kershaw
With multiple titles under his belt, Devon Kershaw is a former Canadian cross-country skier renowned for his athletic performances in international events. The 39-year-old Canadian star began his career in 2005, making multiple appearances in the Olympics and World Championships. Devon also participated in three World Junior Championships, securing 18 National Junior medals. At the 2005 World Championships, he became the first Canadian male cross-country skier to earn a medal in sprint events by securing 3rd place.
Devon also competed in the Tour de Ski skiing competition in 2006-2007, where he scored 2nd place in the first stage of freestyle sprint events. At the World Championships, he managed to finish 6th in relay events, which is the highest-ranking ever by a Canadian team. Devon won his first gold medal at the world cup in team sprint events in 2011. He also secured 4th place in the 2012 Tour de Ski event, which is the highest placing by any Canadian skier. Devon also managed to place in 6 world cup podiums with 2 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze.
5. Sara Renner
Sara Renner is a retired Canadian cross-country skier who represented Canada in multiple international skiing events from 1994 to 2010. She shares the silver medal in the team sprint event at the 2006 Winter Olympics with Beckie Scott. Born in Golden, British Columbia, the 45-year-old Canadian superstar appeared at the Olympics in the years 1998, 2002, 2006, and 2010. She also competed in multiple skiing events including 5 km, pursuit, 30 km, sprint, relay, and team sprint.
At the World Championships, Sara competed in multiple skiing events, representing Canada. She participated in 5 km, 10 km, 15 km, pursuit, 30 km, sprint, relay, and team sprint events. She also managed to win a bronze medal in sprint events for her country in the 2005 World Championships.
