Max Hollmann and Sonjaa Schmidt emerged victorious in the 10-kilometre interval start freestyle race held on Monday during the Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials in Vernon, British Columbia. Hollmann, hailing from Thunder Bay, Ontario, secured a spot on Canada’s Olympic cross-country skiing team alongside Schmidt and Tom Stephen with his impressive win. Crossing the finish line in 24:50.8, Hollmann clinched the men’s title, closely followed by Remi Drolet from Rossland, British Columbia, in second place with a time of 25:04.0, and Stephen from Calgary in third place with a time of 25:16.7.
Hollmann’s victory was particularly remarkable given his recent recovery from a scaphoid bone fracture, for which he underwent surgery in early October. Despite facing challenges and training without poles for several months, Hollmann expressed his surprise and joy at his win, emphasizing that he had no expectations due to his injury. Reflecting on his triumph, he highlighted the unforgettable moment when he realized he had secured first place and the immense support he received from his teammates.
In the women’s event, Schmidt marked her birthday by claiming her second consecutive victory with a time of 28:36.2. Jasmine Drolet from Rossland made a strong comeback from a tough start on the previous day to finish second in 29:05.7, while Amelia Wells from Victoria, British Columbia, secured the third spot on the podium with a time of 29:36.1. Drolet’s resilience and determination were evident as she excelled in a discipline that was not her specialty, showcasing her unwavering commitment to giving her best performance.
Both Hollmann and Drolet, who were part of Canada’s U-23 gold medal relay team in Planica, Slovenia, demonstrated their potential for success on the Olympic stage through their exceptional performances at the trials.
