December 11, 2017 (Davos, Switzerland)December 11, 2017 (Davos, Switzerland) – Canada’s Alex Harvey posted his best result at high altitude in Davos finishing 10th in the men’s 15km individual start won by Maurice Manificat (Fra). Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov finished second at 4 seconds back while teammate Alexander Bolshunov landed on the podium for the second time in Davos claiming third.
![Alex Harvey [P] Reese Brown](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Harvey.4-Davos-WC-Distance-12.10.17-2526-X3-525x512.jpg)
Alex Harvey © Reese Brown
“I have always struggled at altitude so this is by far my best result here in Davos,” said Harvey. “Altitude is really a physiology thing. It is never going to be perfect for me, but we have found ways to prepare for it and get better little by little each year. I couldn’t ask for much more today. The goal is always to be in the top-10.”
![Men's 15km Free podium (l-r) Ustiugov 2nd, Manificat 1st, Bolshunov 3rd [P] Nordic Focus](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/M-Pod-10122017fm075-copy-525x350.jpg)
Men's 15km Free podium (l-r) Ustiugov 2nd, Manificat 1st, Bolshunov 3rd © Nordic Focus
Harvey, 29, followed his race plan to near perfection starting conservatively over the first of three laps. He picked his way through the field until the final loop where he hammered his pace powering up and down the large hill challenge to grab a few more spots and lock up the top-10 result. Harvey
“Today the shape was great and I continued to build throughout each lap, with my strongest lap being the last one. That is what you want,” added Harvey.
![Patty Caldwell [P] Reese Brown](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Patty-Caldwell-Davos-WC-Distance-12.10.17-2510-XL-525x350.jpg)
Patty Caldwell © Reese Brown
It was Manificat’s ninth World Cup distance race victory equalling the men’s French record set by Vincent Vittoz. He will also wear the red bib next weekend in Toblach, Italy as the overall World Cup Distance leader.
![Devon Kershaw [P] Reese Brown](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kershaw.4-Davos-WC-Distance-12.10.17-2652-XL-525x500.jpg)
Devon Kershaw © Reese Brown
“I love to compete here. It has been a few years since I last won here so I’m happy to be back on top. My season has been going well so I knew that today was possible. It is a hard race here and I am tired but thank you to Davos and the public out in the forest. Your encouragement helped very much,” commented the winner.
American Patty Caldwell was the top American in 41st followed by veteran Canuck, Devon Kershaw in 44th. Noah Hoffman (USA) was 48th, Graeme Killick (Can) was 59th, Russell Kennedy (Can) finished 68th, Scott Patterson (USA) was 94th, Julien Locke (Can) and Andy Newell (USA) did not finish. –
Full results here.
WCup Standings here.
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![Alex Harvey [P] Reese Brown](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Harvey.4-Davos-WC-Distance-12.10.17-2526-X3.jpg)
![Men's 15km Free podium (l-r) Ustiugov 2nd, Manificat 1st, Bolshunov 3rd [P] Nordic Focus](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/M-Pod-10122017fm075-copy.jpg)
![Patty Caldwell [P] Reese Brown](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Patty-Caldwell-Davos-WC-Distance-12.10.17-2510-XL.jpg)
![Devon Kershaw [P] Reese Brown](http://skitrax.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kershaw.4-Davos-WC-Distance-12.10.17-2652-XL.jpg)