Max Hollmann and Sonjaa Schmidt emerged victorious in the 10-kilometre interval start free race held at the Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials in Vernon, B.C. Thunder Bay’s Hollmann secured the men’s title, clocking in at 24:50.8, leading the pack ahead of Remi Drolet from Rossland (25:04.0) and Tom Stephen from Calgary (25:16.7).
Hollmann’s win was unexpected, considering his recent setback of breaking his scaphoid bone and undergoing surgery in early October. Despite months of training without poles, Hollmann defied the odds, expressing his joy at the victory and gratitude for being able to compete following his injury.
On the women’s side, Schmidt marked her birthday by clinching her second consecutive triumph with a time of 28:36.2. Jasmine Drolet from Rossland bounced back from a challenging first day to claim the second spot, while Amelia Wells from Victoria completed the podium.
Drolet’s resilience was noteworthy, especially after an emotional finish on the previous day. The U-23 World Championship relay gold medalist showcased her determination in a discipline that is not her specialty, emphasizing her satisfaction with the second-place finish.
Both Hollmann and Drolet, integral members of Canada’s U-23 gold medal relay team in Planica, Slovenia, demonstrated their potential for success on the Olympic stage during the event.