The final Italian stage of Europe’s Tour de Ski is legendary in its ability to break even the hardiest skiers.
Being the seventh start in nine days, the race challenges the world’s best skiers to fly through the flats for six kilometres, then climb for the final three km on a 28 per cent grade up Alpe Cermis.
On Sunday, skiers did so in 11 C weather on sloppy, slushy snow.
Luckily for Canada, it’s Ivan Babikov favourite event.
“I look forward to this race every year. The day before I was in the top 10 in classic races. That gave me confidence,” Babikov said, who won the stage several years ago.
Babikov claimed silver in the final stage of the Tour de Ski, Sunday (Jan. 6) as the second fastest man up the breath-stealing hill climb. He scaled the wall in 30:12.9 (13 seconds behind winner Marcus Hellner), and increased his ranking by 10 spots, ensuring the Canmore native finished the series as the top overall Canadian, in seventh.
Ignoring pain was the secret to his success on the climb, which he professes to love.
“Personally, I think on the climb there’s a point where your body cannot go faster. Your legs fill up with lactate. The trick is to ignore that and push yourself harder,” Babikov said.
Babikov has been the most consistent Canadian on the World Cup tour this year, finishing in the top 30 in every one of his races. Renowned as one of the best climbers in the world, training and hard work give him a distinct advantage.
“Where I was born, there weren’t any big hills like that,” Babikov said. “Everyone feels the pain at some point on the hill. Maybe I am able to cope with the pain a little better than others.”
While Canadians had high hopes for the tour, they still placed three skiers in the top 15. Babikov was seventh, Devon Kershaw, who grew stronger as the week went on, was 12th and Len Valjas, who won two medals in the tour, finished 23rd. Alex Harvey, who won one medal on the tour, did not race the final stage. Valjas won a sprint bronze and a silver in the 15 km classic ski race. Harvey’s bronze medal also came in the 15 km classic race in Val Di Fiemme.
“Being on the podium means a lot to me. The day before Alex and Lenny were on the podium and I was seventh. For sure it’s a great, great feeling,” Babikov said.
The team appears to be rounding into form after a slow start. Babikov said the team just needed time to hit its stride after the pressure of racing on home soil.
“For all the guys, it may be different. Devon had a serious injury with his foot. That’s what’s holding him back. Alex, it was a matter of time to find that tune-up. He’s got the shape. Lenny, he keeps surprising us stage after stage. I feel honoured to be part of this team. We really help each other and push each other. Justin (Wadsworth) really cares about us and it’s all showing,” Babikov said.
Babikov said he’s feeling strong this year after a great year of training. He and his wife had a baby over the summer, and the ski racer said he’s gunning for more podium finishes in the new year.
“Last summer, I trained with Devon, and it was a help for us all to train with him,” Babikov said.
The team relay and 30 km pursuit at the world championships are his best chances to climb the podium again, Babikov said.
“The one I’m most excited about is the team relay. We have a really good chance. You don’t just ski for yourself, you ski for the whole team and country.”
Russia’s Alex Legkov won the Tour de Ski. Justyna Kowalczyk won the women’s Tour de Ski.
