February 25, 2008 – It was a very good start for Team Canada to the World Junior/Under-23 World Ski Championships in Mals, ITA. The first day of competition was the skate sprint for the junior field. After a week of training in nearby Livigno, the team was ready for competition. And today their fitness, determination, and skill really showed.

In the hot mountain sun at 1750m, the team sprinted in fantastic conditions, with plenty of snow, well prepared tracks and a challenging course.

At the end of the qualification rounds we realized how well the team had done.

3 ladies and all 4 men had qualified in the top 30 and would move on to the heats! This meant that the Canadian team had placed 7 athletes in the top-30! ONLY Norway qualified more athletes, and none were equal.

In a photo-finish, Alex was 3rd in the quarter-final, but was the fastest 3rd, so advanced to the semis. Another photo-finish in his semi, but this time the victor, placing second and advancing to the A-final. Against the worlds best juniors, he skied very strong into forth, despite a tangle with one of the Russians on the first hill.

Canadian Men’s Team Results

– Alex Harvey – 4th
– Frederic Touchette – 18th
– Julien Nury – 25th
– Len Valjas – 28th
98 competitors

Canadian Women’s Team Results

– Marlis Kromm – 20th
– Alysson Marshall – 25th
– Heidi Widmer – 29th
– Stephanie Drolet – 69th
74 competitors

U23 skate sprints tomorrow!