Support Yukon Skiers
Help fund the dreams of Yukon cross-country athletes.
Join the community in supporting Yukon’s top skiers as they proudly represent Canada on the world stage. With rising expenses for National Ski Team athletes and funding being reduced in Canada, skiers are now required to cover their own costs to compete at major international events, including the World Cups and World Championships. This project seeks to ease the financial burden for Yukon athletes by helping fund their travel, training, and competition expenses, allowing them to focus on what matters most—delivering their best performance. You can donate online or if you prefer you can drop a cheque, made payable to Sport Yukon, at the Sport Yukon office.
Athlete Support
Did you know that when you donate over $20, you will receive a charitable tax receipt?
The annual cost of being a World Cup Nordic skier ranges between $40,000 and $50,000.
Your generosity brings us closer to achieving our goals.
Sonjaa Schmidt
Sonjaa is a born and raised-Yukoner who made history in 2024!
Winning GOLD at the U23 World Championships with her incredible freeskate technique to pass all her competitors to the line, her strength, dedication and confidence shone through as she gave the world a performance to remember. Sonjaa tree plants in the summer to not only pay her bills but build physical and mental strength for a winter of racing.Sonjaa Schmidt, a talented skier from Whitehorse, represents the Academy in competitive skiing while pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at SAIT. Balancing her passion for sport and academics, she is driven to excel both on the slopes and in the classroom.
Winning GOLD at the U23 World Championships with her incredible freeskate technique to pass all her competitors to the line, her strength, dedication and confidence shone through as she gave the world a performance to remember. Sonjaa tree plants in the summer to not only pay her bills but build physical and mental strength for a winter of racing.Sonjaa Schmidt, a talented skier from Whitehorse, represents the Academy in competitive skiing while pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering at SAIT. Balancing her passion for sport and academics, she is driven to excel both on the slopes and in the classroom.
Sasha Masson
Proudly representing the Yukon on and off the snow, Sasha is a dedicated cross-country skier and a Hydrology Engineering student at Université Laval. As a member of the Canadian Ski Team, Sasha contributed to Team Canada’s 8th and 11th-place finishes in World Cup team events, while achieving a personal best 36th place individually with 10 World Cup starts. Combining a passion for sport and science, Sasha strives to inspire others and is committed to making the Yukon a better place through both athletic excellence and advancements in hydrology engineering.
Derek Deuling
Derek, a proud Yukoner born and raised, made history in 2024. Coming off an injury the previous year, he raced with determination at the Championships, earning a spot on the first-ever Canadian U23 relay team to win GOLD at the U23 World Championships. With 4 World Cup starts under his belt he is excited and determined to race on the World Cup in years to come. Currently, Derek competes on the NCAA circuit for the University of Alaska Anchorage, where he is pursuing a bachelor's degree in business management.