Yukon skier wins bronze medal at Canada Winter Games

Yukon cross-country skier Natalie Hynesbagged Yukon's first medal at the Canada Winter Games on Thursday, taking the bronze in the women's 10-kilometre classic race.

The 20-year-old Whitehorse athlete finished with a time of 29:59.3 just11 seconds behind second-place finisher Laura Leclair of Quebec, and 28 seconds behind gold medallist Jasmine Drolet of B.C.

"I'm super pumped," Hynessaid, still catching her breath afterthe race.

"I didn't think that was possible today,especially at the start Iwas kind of hanging back off the lead group ...It's pretty amazing, I wasn't sure if Icould hold it out at the end, but I did it and I'm happy."

Hynes and Leclair shared a hug at the finish line. Hynes said the two have been racing together for a long time.

"She has a lot of talent, and it's awesome chasing her through the race," Hynes said ofLeclair.

Hynessaid she's proud to finally put Yukon on the medal-count board at the Games, andcalled it a "team effort."

Yukon's Amanda Thomson finished 10th.

Hynes's medal is the second to be won by a Northern athlete at the Games.N.W.T.'s Wilson Elliot won a bronze medalin judo on Wednesday.