Screenshot of Kris Yip's virtual athlete during the Men's Continental Qualifiers to the 2022 UCI Esports World Championships

By Ethan Ready

ESports Competition

Prince George’s Kris Yip among 10 Canadians selected for UCI ESports World Championships

Jan 5, 2022 | 10:19 AM

PRINCE GEORGE – In a time where so many international sporting events are struggling to even get going due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s one that’s happening with no concern. And it just so happens to have a local connection as well.

Prince George’s Kris Yip is one of five Canadian men who have qualified for the second UCI ESports World Championships. In total, ten athletes will be competing under Canadian colours at the virtual cycling World Championships, scheduled for February 26 on the Zwift virtual cycling platform.

Canada was awarded a quota of 4 men and 4 women based on the UCI qualification system, and an additional two athletes qualified directly through invitation-only Continental Qualifier events held in November.

The women’s squad will be comprised of Esports specialist Esta Bovill, road and track athlete Adèle Normand, para-cycling pilot and Parapan American Games medalist Evelyne Gagnon, and Masters Canadian Road Champion Josée Rossignol. They will be joined by Esports specialist Monilee Keller, who qualified through the Continental Qualifier.

On the men’s side, 2016 Olympian and current Canadian Mountain Bike Champion Léandre Bouchard will be on the athlete watch list, as well as professional Esports athlete Thomas Thrall, who qualified through the Continental Qualifier, mountain biker Noah Ramsay and road cyclists Yip and Oliver Dowd. Both teams will be directed by four-time Paralympic medallist Tristen Chernove.

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“I’m glad to have the opportunity to showcase my skills at the biggest Esports race in the world,” said Bouchard in a release issued by Cycling Canada. “It’s exciting to be racing on a platform where I have spent countless hours training over the last years.”

The women’s and men’s races will take place on Zwift’s New York course for a total distance of 54.9 kilometers and an impressive 944 meters of elevation. The course will be a mixture of rolling and steep terrain and will include the PowerUps that athletes can deploy strategically throughout the race.

Women’s squad

Esta Bovill – North Vancouver, BC

Evelyne Gagnon – Quebec City, QC

Monilee Keller – Redmond, WA

Adèle Normand – Chicoutimi, QC

Josée Rossignol – Victoriaville, QC

Men’s squad

Léandre Bouchard – Alma, QC

Oliver Dowd – Mississauga, ON

Noah Ramsey – Toronto, ON

Thomas Thrall – Nashville, TN

Kris Yip – Prince George, BC

by Ethan Ready

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Prince George’s Kris Yip among 10 Canadians selected for UCI ESports World Championships

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