McKeever and Wilkie on the podium at Para nordic World Cup

DRESDEN, Germany — Brian McKeever and his guide Graham Nishikawa took silver and Natalie Wilkie added a bronze in Monday’s cross country sprints at the second stop on the Para nordic skiing World Cup circuit.

McKeever, a 17-time Paralympic Games medallist, was edged by Sweden’s Zebastian Modin in the men’s visually impaired category. The 40-year-old legend from Canmore, Alta., couldn’t dislodge his rival in all three rounds of racing.
 
“We fought hard, but didn’t ski well enough to win,” said McKeever. “We didn’t make up enough time where we needed to and then it was over. Some days just aren’t great. Modin is fast, and a really good sprinter.”
 
Germany’s Nico Messinger was third.
  
Wilkie, of Salmon Arm, B.C., was first in her women’s standing semifinal to advance to the championship round.
 
In the final, the three-time Paralympic medallist ran out of real estate in a hard-fought race. Emily Young of North Vancouver was fifth.
 
“It was a great day, said Wilkie, 17. ‘’Emily and I were working well together in the final as well. I just knew the course so well here. I skied it a lot and I felt good all day.”
 
Russia’s Ekaterina Rumyantseva won the women’s standing race. Norway’s Vilde Nilsen was second.

Canada is at three medals after three days of competition. On Sunday, Collin Cameron of Sudbury, Ont., took the silver in the men’s sitting sprint.

Competition continues Wednesday with the men’s and women’s short races.