February 27, 2017 (Lahti, Finland) – Team USA’s Erik Bjornsen and Simi Hamilton finished a record 5th with Canada’s Len Valjas and Alex Harvey in 6th as a fateful late crash involving Norway and Finland determined the final podium in the men’s 1.3km Team Sprint with Russia claiming the gold over Italy.

Norwegian Emil Iversen was leading Finland’s Iivo Niskanen into the final corner when Niskanen tried to move to the inside and pass him and the two collided with Iversen flipping in the air as both went down. The Jury deliberated for almost 30 minutes to decide who the bronze medal would go to and in the end Finland, who crossed the line in third, was awarded the bronze.

“We had great synergy out there today. Team sprints are always hectic and ridiculously tough, but our transitions were smooth and we did a great job of keeping our composure throughout our semi and the final and I thought we both skied really well,” said Hamilton. ”

Norway took an early lead with Sweden and Canada’s Harvey at the front and the USA’s Hamilton in 7th. Russia took over as Canada dropped to 5th but regained their top three position on the next leg while Norway took back the lead. Italy moved into third as the Canucks found themselves in 8th with the US up to 5th.

“I wasn’t even sure I would be able to start today. We concluded that I hurt my vertebrae so it affects my breathing,” said the 28-year-old Valjas. “The race started well but then I felt like I was not able to breathe and just died.”

By the penultimate leg Norway had a 5+second gap over Finland and Italy chasing with Russia just behind. Team USA was now 7th and Canada 8th.

“Our techs did an amazing job with giving us great classic skis today,” Hamilton continued. “I had awesome kick going up the challenging climbs on this rugged old sprint course in Lahti, and I was sucking up people with stupidly fast skis on the descents back to the stadium. Our skis were pretty much perfect.

“The pace of the entire final was pretty hot from the gun, but the second leg seemed to be the hardest for me. That’s when the distance skiers in the field really ratcheted up the pace, and I just did my best ski comfortably and maintain contact with the group while finding places to make some moves past some on the steep climb and in the transitions.”

It was the first team sprint race for Valjas and Harvey since joining up to win the event at a World Cup stop in Toblach just over one month ago.

“I still had a lot of confidence in Len today. We saw it in the semifinals,” said the 28-year-old Harvey. “I knew if I put him in the right situation, we had a legitimate shot. We still were looking for the podium, but we can’t have it every time.”

Finland’s anchor Niskanen put in a final surge on home snow to bridge to Iversen as the cat-and-mouse tactics began with a fateful ending for the duo as into the final corner as Niskanen tried to pass on the inside and their skis touched. Iversen flipped up and went down taking Niskanen with him.

Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov sailed past for the gold and Italy’s Federico Pellegrino took silver as Niskanen quickly scrambled to claim third in the end. The USA’s Bjornsen put in a strong final turn to claim a best-ever 5th for Team USA while Valjas rallied to 6th for Canada.

“It was incredibly inspiring to watch Jessie and Sadie nail a 3rd place in their race, and their energy definitely had an effect on us all day,” added Hamilton. “I’m definitely happy with my race today and where my ski racing fitness and speed are in general, but I can’t give Erik enough credit for skiing his heart out all day and anchoring us home to a historic 5th place.”

Results here.