Nelson's Julien Locke earned a timely victory ahead of the upcoming under-23 cross country world championships.
Locke, who competes for Rossland's Black Jack Ski Team, finished first at the Eastern Canadian Championships on Friday near Ottawa.
Locke won the 1.5-kilometre sprint in three minutes, 12.40 seconds after qualifying fifth.
He'll compete in the U23 world championships in Rasnov, Romania, which runs Feb. 22-28.