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Natalie Wilkie

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Canada
Nordic Skiing
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Natalie Wilkie burst onto the international scene at the PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games. At age 17, she was the youngest member of the Canadian team.

She had made her Nordic skiing debut only months before at a home World Cup in Canmore, finishing fourth in all her cross-country events.

In South Korea, Wilkie prevailed over her more experienced rivals to take a much-celebrated gold in the women’s middle distance standing. She followed that up with bronze in the sprint and silver in the mixed relay.

As a result, she received the Canadian Paralympic Sport Award for Best Paralympic Debut by a Female Athlete.

Wilkie lost four fingers on her left hand in an accident during woodwork class at school in 2016. "I was planing a piece of wood. The wood kicked back so my hand went into the machine, and I was stuck for an hour."

She has competed in able-bodied cross-country skiing at national level in Canada. Her sister Isabelle competed in cross-country skiing at the 2018 British Columbia Winter Games.

Biography

Impairment information

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency
Origin of Impairment
Acquired
Classification
LW8

Further personal information

Residence
Salmon Arm, BC, CAN
Languages
English, German

Sport specific information

When and where did you begin this sport?
She began skiing at an early age in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada. She took up Para cross-country skiing in 2016.
Why this sport?
Her family lived only five minutes from the Larch Hills ski area in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada. She was introduced to Para cross-country skiing at a camp in Canmore, AB, Canada.
Club / Team
Larch Hills Nordic Society: Salmon Arm, BC, CAN
Name of coach
Robin McKeever [national], CAN

International debut

Year
2017
Competing for
Canada
Tournament
World Cup
Location
Canmore, AB, CAN

General interest

Hobbies
Painting, learning German language, science. (Cross Country BC Facebook page, 26 Nov 2020; Instagram profile, 12 Dec 2020)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold in the 7.5km classic style at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang. (games.paralympic.ca, 27 Jun 2018)
Awards and honours
In 2018 she received the Canadian Paralympic Sport Award for Best Paralympic Debut by a Female Athlete. She was presented with the honour by the Canadian Paralympic Committee [CPC]. (paralympic.org, 31 Oct 2018)
Other sports
She has competed in able-bodied cross-country skiing at national level in Canada. (globalnews.ca, 12 Dec 2017)
Famous relatives
Her sister Isabelle competed in cross-country skiing at the 2018 British Columbia Winter Games in Canada. (NPC Media Guide, 2018)
Impairment
In June 2016 she lost four fingers on her left hand in an accident during woodwork class at school in Salmon Arm, BC, Canada. "I was planing a piece of wood. The wood kicked back so my hand went into the machine, and I was stuck for an hour." (globalnews.ca, 12 Dec 2017; calgary.ctvnews.ca, 01 Dec 2017; saobserver.net, 27 Jun 2017)
Other information
YOUNGEST
At age 17 she was the youngest member of Team Canada at the 2018 Paralympic Winter Games in Pyeongchang, two years after her accident. "I was expecting a longer development even though I grew up cross-country skiing. In the months leading up to Pyeongchang I wasn't even sure I was going to go. I was thinking I would take it slow and ease into Para skiing because it was only the year before that I started skiing with one pole. I thought at best Pyeongchang would be a preparation for Beijing 2022. I got there and my plan was just to do my best with no expectations." (games.paralympic.ca, 27 Jun 2018)

Results

Unit Date Rank
Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games (Pyeongchang, South Korea)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Women's 15km Free Standing Final 2018-03-12 6
Women's 1.5km Sprint Classic Standing Final 2018-03-14 3
Women's 7.5km Classic Standing Final 2018-03-17 1
4x2.5km Mixed Relay Final 2018-03-18 2
Prince George 2019 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships (Prince George, Canada)
Event Medal Unit Date Rank
Women's Middle Distance - Free Style Standing Final 2019-02-17 4
Women's Sprint - Free Style Standing Final 2019-02-18 4
Women's Sprint Standing Final 2019-02-20 9999
Mixed Relay Final 2019-02-23 2
Women's Long Distance - Classic Standing Final 2019-02-24 2