January 22, 2019 (Lahti, Finland) – Canada’s Julian Smith from Thunder Bay, Ont. led the North American charge with a top-20 result in the U23 Men’s 1.6km CL Sprint ending up 19th on the day. Fellow Canuck Antoine Cyr of Gatineau, Que., was 20 while T-Bay’s Graham Ritchie was 26th. American Peter Holmes was 27th.

“It is a great day and I’m so proud to be racing and representing Canada again at the World Championships, but it stings a bit too because I was so close to moving on,” said Smith, who added the Canadians were hoping to have at least one in the heats heading into the day. “I’m happy with how I skied. I felt good and I executed my tactics well. It was great to have three of us in the heats today.”

Norway’s Erik Valnes won the men’s race. Russia’s Sergey Ardashev was second, while Joachim Aurland, also of Norway, skied onto the bronze medal step of the podium.

The USA’s Hannah Halvorsen was the top U23 woman in 23rd followed by Hailey Swirbul in 24th with Julia Kern in 27th. Kern was the top North American qualifier in 15th. No Canadians advanced to the heats as Sadie White finished 35th as the top Canuck.

Sweden’s Moa Lundgren captured the women’s crown. Lundgren topped Norway’s Tiril Udnes Weng who sprinted to the silver medal. Russia’s Aida Bayazitova claimed third spot.

Men’s results here.
Women’s results here.