March 14, 2007 (Tarvisio, Italy) – The junior members of Canada’s cross-country team have raised the bar at the FIS Nordic Junior World Championships in Tarvisio, Italy. Alex Harvey, of St.-Ferreol les Neiges, Que., skied to the bronze medal position on the podium in the junior men’s 10-kilometre skate, Wednesday.

Only the second medal ever earned by a Canadian junior male at this event, Harvey finished the race in 23 minutes 11.4 seconds, only 14.1 seconds out of the silver medal position, and 30 seconds off the winning pace.

“It was an awesome day,” said the 18-year-old son of legendary cross-country skier, Pierre Harvey. “I started out very conservative, so when I saw that I was fourth in my first split, I knew that I had it in me to charge for the podium. I had a plan to attack the first downhill section to make up some time against the leaders, and the plan worked. Everything went super well today!”

“Alex skied very well today,” said Mike Cavaliere, coach, Cross-Country Canada. “He was very smooth and used his graceful technique to his advantage. The back-up site we are using for this race is a much different course than most athletes are used to, but Alex had a plan and executed that plan perfectly.”

Finland’s Martti Jylhae was the top finisher on the day, stopping the clock at 22:40.9. Not far behind was Alexey Poltaranin, of Kazakhstan, who took the silver with a time of 22:57.3.

The Canadian women also stepped up their game in Italy. Brittany Webster, of Caledon, Ont., turned up the gas in the women’s five-kilometre skate, cracking the top-10 and improving on a previous personal best finish of 28th. Webster posted a time of 12:37.0, which put her in ninth-place. Kate Brennan, of Pakenham, Ont., finished 22nd with a time of 12:57.2 in a tight race.

Charlotte Kalla, of Sweden was in league of her own in the women’s race. Kalla won the gold medal with a time of 11:44.5, more than 30 seconds ahead of silver medallist Marthe Kristofferesen, of Norway (12:15.2). Fellow Norwegian, and gold medallist from the sprint race, Astrid Jacobsen, took the bronze medal (12:19.2).

Four other Canadians hit the trails Wednesday. In the men’s race, Frederic Touchette, of St.-Ferreol les Neiges, Que., was 39th (25:01.5), and Calgary’s Georg Jalkotzy was 54th (25:49.9). Calgarians, Sara Hewitt and Hannah Perry, who finished 69th (13:56.2) and 80th (14:26.2), respectively were the only other women to suit up.

The 2007 FIS Nordic Junior World Ski Championships continue Thursday, when the Under 23 team will look to match the results of the junior teammates.

Meanwhile, the nation’s elite cross-country skiers continue to sprint around Europe for the final World Cup races of the season. Olympic gold medallist, Chandra Crawford, of Canmore, Alta., led the way for the Canadians finishing 38th. Other Canadian results included: Sean Crooks, of Thunder Bay, Ont., in 48th; Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., in 54th; and Drew Goldsack, of Red Deer, Alta., in 55th.

Cross Country Canada is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada. Its 45,000 members are athletes, coaches and officials, including members of the Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team and Canadian ParaNordic Cross-Country Ski Team. Cross-country skiing is Canada’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually.

Men
1. Martti Jylhae, FIN, 22:40.9
2. Alexey Poltarnin; KAZ, 22:57.3
3. Alex Harvey, CAN, 23:11.4
4. Sjur Roethe, NOR, 23:23.8
5. Eirik Saeves, NOR, 23:27.6

39. Frederic Touchette, of St.-Ferreol les Neiges, Que., 25:01.5
54. Georg Jalkotzy, Calgary, 25:49.9

Women

1.Charlette Kalle, SWE, 11:44.5
2. Marthe Kristofferson, NOR, 12.15.2
3. Astrid Jacobsen, NOR, 12.19.2
4. Therese Johaug, NOR, 12:19.3
5. Marte Monrad-Hansen, NOR, 12:21.3

9. Brittany Webster, Caledon, Ont., 12.37.0; 22. Kate Brennan, Pakenham, Ont., 12.57.2; 69. Sara Hewitt, Calgary, 13.56.2; 80. Hannah Perry, Calgary, 14.26.2

For full results please visit <http://www.jwsc2007.com/Mondiali_Juniores/index.php?op=135>http://www.jwsc2007.com/Mondiali_Juniores/index.php?op=135