As they evolve into a powerhouse on the world cross-country ski scene, the Canadian national team has exhibited one key trait – they won’t stay down.
After a disappointing debut, The Canadian men’s team matched a career best by finishing fifth in the 4 x 7.5 kilometre ski on Sunday (Nov. 25) in Gaellivare, Sweden.
Lenny Valjas, Devon Kershaw, Ivan Babikov and Alex Harvey joined forces to post the team’s best relay result since the 2009 World Championships.
Valjas skied the first leg with a hand cast to protect a broken finger, but fell well back before handing off to Kershaw. The second-ranked skier in the world quickly went to work, gaining 10 spots to put the team in seventh position on the easy track before handing off to Babikov.
Babikov gained two more spots on his lap to set the team up for a legitimate shot at the podium, leaving Alex Harvey to bring the team home. The Quebec phenom battled it out with Norway, Sweden, Russia and Switzerland, but came up just two seconds off the podium. Norway took the win, while host Sweden was second.
“We were disappointed with our results yesterday and have been looking forward to this relay since we all got here to Sweden,” said Harvey in a news release. “We train together as a team, are great friends and always think about the relay because we know it is one of the most exciting events. It is extra motivation for your teammates and most importantly, your country.”
He was disappointed he missed the podium, but said his body is feeling better.
“I felt physically better than yesterday. The body was responding well and I was able to go fairly fast, but I felt I was missing that extra gear to punch it,” said Harvey. “I am a little disappointed I was missing that aggression that I normally have when I am fighting for the podium.
“That was a bit of a mistake for me, but this was our first mass start. We know we can be at the top with the best countries. It was a much better day. Last year we had someone in the top five almost every weekend and here we go again.”
The Canadian women’s team, loaded with sprinters, didn’t fair quite as well. Chandra Crawford, Perianne Jones, Dasha Gaiazova and Alysson Marshall held onto 14th-place in a photo finish against Kazakhstan, as Norway, Sweden and the surprising United States took the podium positions in that order.
The team will race in Kuusamo, Finland this weekend.
