November 27, 2011 (Kuusamo, Finland) – This weekend’s World Cup mini-tour in Kuusamo wrapped up with a two-man duel for the overall victory between Norway’s Petter Northug and Switzerland’s Dario Cologna. Northug began the 15km Classic handicap race with a 12-second advantage but Cologna soon caught him as the two played cat and mouse, away on their own for the entire race.

Northug was seemingly invicible holding off the Swiss star for the overall win as Alexey Poltoranin (KAZ) delivered the fastest time for the final stage win. Northug’s teammate Eldar Roenning exhibited his dynamic classic skills to come from much further behind to grab second on the day and third overall in a five-man battle for the last spot on the mini-tour podium.

Canada’s Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw both had a great race as well, skiing 7th and 8th fastest respectively. For Harvey his overall ranking was just outside the top 10 for claiming 11th. For Kershaw it was just what he needed to re-affirm his capabilities and counter his lacklustre start to the season. His efforts vaulted up the overall results into 20th position. Teammate Lenny Valjas, who placed 5th in Friday’s sprint race, started the day in 17th overall and did his best to minimize further damage, ending the day in 29th overall.

Other Canadians finishing in the men’s mini-tour in Kuusamo today included Ivan Babikov (46th); Kevin Sandau (73rd); and Graham Nishikawa (81st).

The American men couldn’t match the success of the US women today, but still put in some solid results. Noah Hoffman was the fastest on the team, finishing 40th on the day and 58th overall. Despite “loving the 15km classic” it was not Kris Freeman’s day as he ended up 56th on the today to finish the tour ranked 43rd overall. Andy Newell skied just a few seconds slower than Freeman to finish 58th on the day and 72nd overall. Lars Flora and Tad Elliott finished the tour in 87th and 95th position overall.

Final tour results HERE.