Former Yukon flagbearer strives to make his cross-country mark
By Mardy Derby
for CBC Sports Online

When Nathan Doering steps into his cross-country skis at the Canada Winter Games, he'll bring a wealth of experience.

The 22-year-old Whitehorse resident has competed at a national level for the last eight years.

Cross country skiing is a big part of his life. But he admits that wasn't always the case.

Nathan Doering hopes his second Winter Games will help earn him a spot on the national team

"For me it's something that has been cultivated over the years. It wasn't something that I picked up and said, ‘hey this is for me’. But as I progressed and got to travel more it developed into something I love to do,” he says.

Doering raced at the last Canada Winter Games in Corner Brook, Nfld. And he has fond memories of the competition.

"That was big thing for me too," he says. "Not necessarily that I qualified, but I ended up being a flag-bearer and that really stuck with me. It seemed like the whole stadium came alive when they announced the Yukon Territory"

Doering says the competition will be tough, but his mind is set on reaching the medal podium.

He has the advantage of training with two of Canada's best cross-country skiers. Lucy Steele and Allain Masson have both been to the Olympics, she as a competitor, he as a coach.

Doering hopes to follow in their footsteps.

"For me the dream would be to attend the Olympics some day. But a more realistic outlook would be to make the national team and attend a training center".

But for now he's focusing on the Canada Winter Games, and the opportunity to add more medals to his collection.