November 28, 2014 (Montreal, QC) – As a new Olympic cycle begins, Canadian XC ski veteran Alex Harvey does not intend to slow down. His 2013-2014 season was marked by ups and downs. Among the highlights, was his third overall in the World Cup circuit in addition to his victories in the Skiathlon in Falun, Sweden, the FR sprint in Szklarska Poreba, Poland, and the Prologue at the Tour de Ski.

Harvey celebrates his Skiathlon victory in Falun © Nordic Focus

However, at the Sochi Olympics the skier ,who aimed to return from Russia with at least one medal in hand, drew a blank. Yet it’s with his successes in mind that Harvey begins his World Cup season on Saturday in Ruka, Finland.

“This year, the main goal remains the Falun World Championships. I know that I can still be in the game this season,” said Harvey, who nabbed a second and third place, last week in Gällivare, Sweden’s FIS races.

The major difference from last season is that the media maelstrom is much less this year. “Last September and October, when I was in Quebec, there were more media requests that took most of my time. So it’s been easier this year. Everything else is the same game as before.”

Good skis at the right time
You do not change a recipe that works. Harvey and his coach Louis Bouchard agree. Harvey will continue to focus on certain events and will skip a few competitions, including the last stage of the Tour de Ski, the steep ascent of Alpe Cermis, which is not suitable for optimal blood circulation in his legs.

The leader of the Canadian team was proud of the consistency he showed last year. Yes, the Sochi disappointment remains, but it cannot be explained by poor physical preparation, he said.

“We had some glitches on the equipment side of things, especially in Sochi, but that’s part of the sport. Like all other countries, we will have problems with waxing at one time or another. As opposed to last year, I will now have a tester working with me. By the end of last season, we had already begun working with Fischer (Harvey’s ski supplier) by testing several pairs of skis.”

Harvey believes that having a personal tester will make a difference. “If it allows us to have a podium again, it will already be mission accomplished, because I have medal chances at all the races. And it’s the whole team that will benefit.”

At the top of his game and his form
At 26 years old, Alex Harvey has begun to reach physical maturity. In addition to his training volume that increases each year, the native of St-Ferreol-les-Neiges will now begin to see how this translates on the track.

“I started to see last year, especially in my consistency. I am able to maintain a top-10 world level for a longer period. I reached that level earlier in the season and I noticed that gains from summer training came faster.”

Harvey reiterated that he still prefers long distance mass start classic and skate events. This is why he will make the 50 km classic and 30 km skiathlon his main objectives at the World Championships in Falun, from February 18 to March 1. The skier won the skiathlon World Cup there last year.

Translated from the original French using Google Translate.

Read the original article here (French).