Hollmann Surprises, Schmidt Stays Perfect at Olympic Trials

Summary:

• Max Hollmann came out with flying colours out of the men’s 10 km free race just weeks after wrist surgery.
• The 23-year-old earned a spot on Canada’s Olympic nomination list.
• Sonjaa Schmidt celebrated her birthday with a second straight win in the women’s race.

The 10-kilometre interval start free races held at the Nordiq Canada 2026 Olympic Winter Games Trials on Monday witnessed two particularly different wins, each feeling well-earned in its own way.

Max Hollmann obtained a result that very few people, including him, could have actually anticipated on the men’s side. The 23-year-old Thunder Bay native stopped the clock at precisely 24:50.8, after edging Rémi Drolet of Rossland, B.C., at 25:04.0 and Calgary’s Tom Stephen at 25:16.7. 

The win propelled Hollmann next to Sonjaa Schmidt and Stephen on the nomination list for Canada’s Olympic cross-country ski team.

However, what made the result shine even more was the path that the cross-country skier walked on to get there, sprinkled with a broken scaphoid bone followed by surgery in late October, along with zero-pole training for weeks while waiting for his wrist to heal. 

Commenting on his success, Hollmann said it “feels great”, adding,

I was definitely not expecting it. The surgeon said I might not even be skiing by now. Honestly, I had no expectations. I’m just happy to be here.

The skier, who said he didn’t notice he was in the lead until he crossed the finish line and saw his teammates, took the time to let the moment truly sink in.

Seeing their faces light up and feeding off that energy was amazing.

Best Birthday Gift for Schmidt  

Sonjaa Schmidt celebrated her birthday the best way possible with another top performance in the women’s race, following her win from the previous day. The now 23-year-old finished Monday’s race at 28:36.2. 

Meanwhile, Jasmine Drolet took second thanks to a strong rebound, ending the race at 29:05.7, while Amelia Wells of Victoria, B.C., finished third, stopping the clock at 29:36.1.

Drolet’s race was also particularly interesting as it followed a difficult opening day that ended with her crying at the finish line. On Monday, however, she regrouped and showed a completely different side of herself in one of the disciplines that she does not yet consider to be her ultimate strength.

I had a lot of pent-up energy from (Sunday) and wanted to give it my all today. Free technique isn’t my strongest, so to finish second feels amazing. Yesterday was hard, but I knew I had more to give.

Hollmann and Drolet share more than just strong performances this week, as they were both part of Canada’s U-23 relay team that took home the gold medal in Planica, Slovenia.