Alex Harvey won silver for the first time in 2015 as Canadian sprinters blitzed the opposition for their best world cup weekend just in time for this week’s world championships in Falun, Sweden.
Norway’s Petter Northug, left, lunges to beat Alex Harvey of Canada, right. Nordic Skiing World Championships in Falun, Sweden, Feb. 19, 2015. ANDERS WIKLUND / TT / AP FILE PHOTO
By Justin Brisbane, Rocky Mountain Outlook February 19, 2015
In the final, Harvey, 27, fought from the back of the pack. The sprint course began with a steep climb, but excellent strategy and skis let him work his way into second on the descent, breaking up a wall of Norweigan skiers.
He and winner Finn Haagen Krogh of Norway sprinted to the final, however, Harvey couldn’t quite close the gap.
“My skis felt a little slippery at the start, so I was happy just to qualify, but then we made some adjustments,” Harvey said. “They got better and better as we went through the rounds. It started with a quick uphill which is not really my strength, so I was always in fifth or sixth until the second lap I started making some ground.”
The result was an excellent sign for Harvey leading into world championships in Falun and proof the team’s training camp paid off.
“It was a really good day all around. I just came back from altitude, so it is a bit of a tossup as to how the body will respond from that,” Harvey said. “This is great for my confidence. I think I have a little more to go, but I’m feeling close to 100 per cent as we get closer to world championships.”
It’s his second medal of the season, following a silver on the Tour de Ski.
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Harvey makes history in Sweden By Justin Brisbane, Rocky Mountain Outlook February 28, 2015
Canada’s Alex Harvey wins silver at Nordic skiing world championships By The Canadian Press, February 19, 2015