Canada claimed a second gold medal at the world under-23 cross-country ski championships in Planica, Slovenia, with Sunday’s victory in the mixed relay.

Derek Deuling, Jasmine Drolet, Max Hollmann, Liliane Gagnon combine for win in SloveniaThe Canadian Press

· Posted: Feb 11, 2024 3:43 PM EST | Last Updated: 3 hours ago

From left: Canada’s Derek Deuling, Liliane Gagnon, Jasmine Drolet and Max Hollmann celebrate on the podium after winning Sunday’s mixed relay event at the world under-23 cross-country ski championships in Planica, Slovenia. (Ziga Zivulovic Jr./BOBO and OneSkate Photos via The Canadian Press)Canada claimed a second gold medal at the world under-23 cross-country ski championships in Planica, Slovenia, with Sunday’s victory in the mixed relay.

Whitehorse’s Derek Deuling, Jasmine Drolet of Rossland, B.C., Max Hollmann of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Liliane Gagnon of Quebec City prevailed in heavy rain over runner-up France and bronze medallist Sweden.

Canada ranked sixth after the first two legs of Sunday’s 20k relay. Hollmann closed a 15-second gap on the front-runners to 2.2 seconds when he handed off to Gagnon for the anchor leg.

Gagnon made her move over the final 150 metres in a sprint to the line.

Canada edged the French by seven-tenths of a second and Sweden by eight-tenths.

“I’ve been wanting one of these for a while,” said Gagnon, who finished eighth behind teammate Schmidt in the women’s sprint.