Canada wins 2nd gold medal at world U23 cross-country ski championships in mixed relay

Canada claimed a second gold medal at the world under-23 cross-country ski championships in Planica, Slovenia, with Sunday's victory in the mixed relay.

Whitehorse's Derek Deuling, Jasmine Drolet of Rossland, B.C., Max Hollmann of Thunder Bay, Ont., and Liliane Gagnon of Quebec City prevailed in heavy rain over runner-up France and bronze medallist Sweden.

Canada ranked sixth after the first two legs of Sunday's 20k relay. Hollmann closed a 15-second gap on the front-runners to 2.2 seconds when he handed off to Gagnon for the anchor leg.

Gagnon made her move over the final 150 metres in a sprint to the line.

Canada edged the French by seven-tenths of a second and Sweden by eight-tenths.

"I've been wanting one of these for a while," said Gagnon, who finished eighth behind teammate Schmidt in the women's sprint.