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Alex Harvey, of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., led the Canadian charge down the old streets of the Czech Republic’s cultural, political and economical centre of Prague, which was loaded with snow for the 1.2-kilometer freestyle sprint marking the fourth stage of the eight-event Tour de Ski through Europe.
After qualifying in 20th spot, the 21-year-old Harvey came up short of advancing past the quarter-final rounds in the head-to-head heats when he crossed the line fourth to finish 21st overall. The top-two athletes in each heat move on to the next round.
“It was a good day because a city sprint is not usually my cup of tea,” said Harvey. “I skied really strong in my heat and was fighting for the top-three the whole way. I had great technique but just wasn’t strong enough coming down the finishing stretch.”
Harvey was joined in the heats by Canadian teammate, Devon Kershaw. The Sudbury, Ont. native, who is the leader of the Canadian men’s cross-country ski squad, was hungry for his first podium of the season after qualifying for the top-30 in eighth spot, but his quest for the medals was derailed after breaking a pole 20 seconds into his quarter-final heat. The 2006 Olympian did not receive another pole until later into the heat and finished 21st overall on a relatively flat course with sloppy snow conditions.
“I am super frustrated and angry after qualifying so well,” said Kershaw. “I was feeling really good today in my qualifying and had bad luck breaking a pole. I have to put it behind me and get ready for the next race here.”
Kershaw now sits in 11th spot overall at the midway point of the Tour de Ski, while Harvey is in 23rd. Athletes will now get Tuesday off to rest before the Tour resumes on Wednesday in Cortina, Italy with distance races.
“This has been a great experience for me so far and a 35-kilometer freestyle race on Wednesday is a dream come true for me,” said Harvey. “I have learned a lot out here following the other guys on the team that have experience racing the Tour. You have to put so much focus on the details because if you let your energy get to low you can get sick so fast during this event.”
Three other Canadians, who are anxious to compete in the distance races on the final half of the Tour, also suited up on Monday. George Grey, of Rossland, B.C., was 47th, while Ivan Babikov, of Canmore, Alta., was 67th. Sara Renner, also of Canmore, Alta., was the lone Canadian woman and qualified 64th.
Sweden’s Emil Joensson grabbed the top spot of the men’s podium with his countryman, Marcus Hellner in the silver-medal position. Norway’s Simen Oestensen was third.
Russia’s Natalia Korosteleva won the women’s freestyle sprint. Norway’s Celine Brun-Lie finished in second spot, while Alena Prochazkova, of Slovakia, rounded out the women’s podium in third.
Complete Tour de Ski Results: http://www.fiscrosscountry.com/events-places/tour-de-ski-calendar.html
Top-5 Men and Canadian Results:
1. Emil Joensson, SWE; 2. Marcus Hellner, SWE; 3. Simen Oestensen, NOR; 4. Dusan Kozisek, CZE; 5. Teodor Peterson, SWE
Canadian Results:
19. Alex Harvey, St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que.; 21. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont.; 47.George Grey, Rossland, B.C.; 67. Ivan Babikov, Canmore, Alta.
Top-5 Women and Canadian Results:
1. Natalia Korosteleva, RUS; 2. Celine Brun-Lie, NOR; 3. Alena Prochazkova, SVK; 4. Arianna Follis, ITA; Aino-Kaisa Saarinen, ITA.
Canadian Results:
64. Sara Renner, Canmore, Alta.
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