Brian McKeever of Calgary joined forces with guide Erik Carleton to capture first place in the 1.2-kilometre classic-skiing sprint race Thursday at the IPC cross-country World Cup finals in Vuokatti, Finland.

The 32-year-old McKeever arrived in Finland on Wednesday after taking part in the Canadian championships in Quebec.

“I was a little jet lagged, but we had a good day today,” said McKeever.“I came here with a good game plan that we executed really well today.”

Meanwhile at the national championships in Quebec, Canmore’s Chandra Crawford won the gold medal Thursday in the women’s skate-sprint, with teammate Daria Gaiazova of Banff winning silver.

In the men’s event, Alex Harvey edged Devon Kershaw for gold in the men’s 1.4-kilometre sprint, with Phil Widmer taking the bottom step of the podium.

Speed Skating Canada is holding its first ever online auction with a few cool items up for bids.

Check out the following link to make your bids or to check out the items: http://www.speedskating.ca/auction

Among the items available:

- Speed Skating National Team Training and World Cup Experiences

- NHL Packages

- Madonna Concert Tickets / Hotel package

- Mexico Trip (includes flights)

- Okanagan Winery Weekend

- Rogers Cup (Tennis Canada) Tickets

- Various Autographed Sports Memorabilia (Hockey Canada, Rugby Canada, SSC, NHL jerseys, etc)

It was another amazing week for Canadian winter athletes, highlighted by historic finishes in World Cup cross-country and the most successful junior nationals in COP Freeskiers history.

Canada’s national cross-country team wrapped up an astounding World Cup season on Sunday on a high note, with Devon Kershaw winning a silver medal in the 15-kilometre skate-ski pursuit at the World Cup finals in Falun, Sweden.

The 29-year-old, who trains at WinSport’s Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore, also was second overall for the season.

“I crossed the line and thought ‘Thank God it is done,’ but I was also so proud right away of our entire team,” said Kershaw, whose silver on Sunday was the 14^th this season for the Canadian team. “This last month I had a lot of nervous energy, but finishing second at the World Cup finals was another huge goal this year. That is about as good as it gets.”

Len Valjas, who also trains in Canmore, won a bronze medal on Saturday in the men’s 15km classic-ski race, one of three medals he won this season.

At the junior freestyle nationals in Le Relais, Que., the eight-member COP team from WinSport brought home a total of seven medals, led by Meagan Fiselier, who was second in slopestyle and third in Big Air. Corbin Lefebvre was first in slopestyle (and second overall in Canada as a junior), while Salman Tirmizi, who was attending his first junior nationals, finished second.

Thomas Nelner was second in Big Air, while Zain Tirmizi was third. Karly Sansom, making her junior nationals debut, was second in Big Air.

Among other highlights:

• Canada’s moguls team won four medals Sunday at the FIS World Cup final in Megeve, France. The team was led by Mikael Kingsbury, who won a silver in the dual moguls event, giving him a medal at every World Cup event this season. Justine Dufour-Lapointe was tops in the women’s dual. Her sister, Chloe, was third in the same event. “I’m really stoked that I finish with a gold medal this year, I can’t be more happy about my season, also I finished the grand prix second in the world,” exclaimed Justine.
• On Saturday in Voss, Norway, Olivier Rochon was 11^th at the World Cup aerials finals, but he clinched the overall title and the Crystal Globe for Canada.
• Calgary’s Rosalind Groenewoud won gold on Friday at the European X Games in women’s ski halfpipe in Tignes, France.
• In Schladming, Austria, Mike Janyk finished 10^th on Sunday at the season-ending men’s slalom race at the World Cup finals, while Marie-Michele Gagnon was sixth in Saturday’s slalom race.

It was an historic day Friday, with Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw becoming the first Canadian men to share a podium at a World Cup cross-country skiing event.

Harvey won the gold, while Kershaw took bronze in the men’s 3.3-kilometre skate-ski prologue race in Falun, Sweden. Harvey’s victory came on the same course where his dad, Pierre, won the first of his three World Cup medals.

“It is such a special day for me to get my first individual victory on the same course where my dad’s first win was in 1987,” said Alex, who trains with Kershaw at WinSport’s Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore. “When I found out I won, I was so pumped. I ran over and hugged my dad and Devon who was also right there. The wax techs were all there and the whole team was so excited. It is so special.”

With his finish, Kershaw locked up second overall in the World Cup finals, becoming the first Canadian man to crack the top-three in overall finals standings.

“To see Alex win finally means the world to me. He is the most confident athlete I have ever been around, and it is clear why. He is the real deal,” said Kershaw. “Alex winning today just made this a magical day all-around for our whole team.”

The Canmore-based team has won 12 medals on the World Cup circuit this season, surpassing the goal of 10 set prior to the start of the season.

Len Valjas is officially on a hot streak.

The 23-year-old Torontonian, who trains at WinSport Canada’s Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore, won a bronze medal Wednesday in a classic-ski race at the World Cup cross-country skiing finals in Stockholm, Sweden.

He won his first career World Cup medal – a silver in Norway — just one week ago.

“I’m still a little shocked because I didn’t expect this finish, but I am really happy,” said Valjas.

The Canadian team has won 10 medals on the World Cup cross-country circuit, matching the team’s pre-season goals.

Alex Harvey was 14^th and Devon Kershaw finished 19^th.

In the women’s race, Chandra Crawford was 12^th; Daria Gaiazova was 23^rd and Alysson Marshall was 28th.

Meanwhile, in Schladming, Austria, Jan Hudec (8^th), Ben Thomsen (10^th) and Erik Guay (13^th) all cracked the top-15 in a downhill race at the World Cup finals.

Also on Wednesday, Canadian freestyle skier Kaya Turski took top spot in slopestyle at the European X Games in Tignes, France. Fellow Canadian Dara Howell was third.

There’s still plenty of ski and snowboard season left at WinSport’s Canada Olympic Park.

And on Saturday night (March 10), WinSport is taking the opportunity to thank all of its season pass holders for their continued support with a pass holder appreciation night.

The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with each pass holder receiving a free buddy pass to share with a guest. There will be a complimentary barbecue, prize giveaways and a fun night on the hill with fellow pass holders.

To avoid line ups, you may pick up your buddy pass from Guest Services as early as 5 p.m. on Saturday. The hill will re-open for skiing at 6:00 pm. Please note: Only 1 buddy pass will be issued to each pass holder and you must show your season pass in order to receive buddy pass.

For more information please call Guest Services at 403-247-5452.

Check out this YouTube video of bobsleigh driver Chris Springs and his season, entitled “Team Spring Bobsleigh the ups and downs of 2011/12.” The video was put together fellow Bobsleigh Canada teammate Derek Plug.

The video includes a portion dedicated to the crash Springs and his crew suffered in Germany back in January.

The team makes their training home at WinSport Canada’s sliding track at Calgary’s Canada Olympic Park.

Canada’s Len Valjas hit the medal podium for the first time in his World Cup cross-country ski career on Wednesday, capturing a silver medal in Drammen, Norway.

The 23-year-old Toronto native, who trains at WinSport Canada’s Bill Warren Training Centre in Canmore, was edged at the finish line by Norway’s Erik Brandsdal in the 1.2-kilometre sprint.

“I don’t think it has sunk in yet, but it does feel pretty good,” said Valjas, who is in his third season on the World Cup circuit. “I think I may be a little in shock.

“I never would have thought I’d win a medal this early in my career, but to have the first medal come in Norway is really special.”

Alex Harvey of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., was 16^th, while Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., was 23^rd.

In the women’s classic-sprint race, Canmore’s Chandra Crawford finished fifth, while Banff’s Daria Gaiazova was eighth.

The same executive team that guided Canada to a gold medal in men’s hockey at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics is taking the reins for the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia.

Hockey Canada made the announcement Monday afternoon at WinSport’s Athletic and Ice Complex in Calgary that former NHL star and current Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman will serve as executive director of the men’s team through the 2013-14 season, including the next two world championships.

“While winning in Vancouver was something unique and extraordinary, I am excited about taking on another great challenge,” said Yzerman.

Joining Yzerman as part of the management group, as they did in 2010, are Doug Armstrong (GM, St. Louis Blues), Ken Holland (GM, Detroit Red Wings), Kevin Lowe (president of hockey operations, Edmonton Oilers), Bob Nicholson (president, Hockey Canada) and Brad Pascall (vice-president, Hockey Canada).

Lowe was also named general manager of this year’s entry at the world championships in Sweden and Finland. Pascall, Peter Chiarelli (GM, Boston Bruins) and Dave Nonis (director of hockey operations, Toronto Maple Leafs) will join Lowe in putting together the team that will compete from May 4-17. Canada will be based in Helsinki, Finland, for the duration of the tournament.