December 29, 2018 (Toblach, Italy) – The USA’s Kevin Bolger was the top North American in the men’s 1.3km FR Sprint finishing 21st as the Tour de Ski got underway in in Toblach, Italy yesterday with Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klaebo taking the victory. Emil Iversen (Nor) was second and Richard Jouve of France placed third to round out the podium.

Bolger and teammate Simi Hamilton qualified to the heats in 13th and 9th respectively while Canada’s Alex Harvey was 50th, Len Valjas was 55th and Bob Thompson was 62nd and did not advance as only the top 30 move on to the quarter finals. But both Americans failed to advance further.

“Conditions were near perfect, the snow was fast and firm, a perfect day for a skate sprint. I was happy with my skis, they were right in the mix with everyone else’s in my quarterfinal, and in the Qualifier they were super fast which was awesome. Every time I get my skis from my wax tech Oleg I’m 100% confident they are going to be in the mix with everyone else’s and if not they’ll be the best,” said Bolger. “I overheard Matt Whitcomb yell I had a fast split, so I ramped it up and tried to hold on all the way to the finish, ended up in 13th and I was stoked.”

Hamilton suffered a crash on the climb during his quarterfinal as he tried to move into second.

“Personally, it was a frustrating way to start to the Tour. I had a great training block in Seefeld over Christmas, and I feel like my fitness and speed are both in really good places right now. It wasn’t the best I’ve ever felt in the qualifier today, so to lay down a respectable time in that race was a good sign,” said Hamilton.

“I felt really good in my quarter final and skied it tactically exactly how I wanted to ski it, but on the last climb as I went to make a move to get into second place before the downhill into the finish stretch, I just got caught with my weight too far forward and I felt like I hit something with my right ski that made it stop and my body got launched forward. I think the toughest part of the day is knowing that I’ve been on the podium here twice in years past, so to miss that opportunity to do that again today was a little heartbreaking. But we have a lot more racing coming up, both in the Tour and in this season, so the only thing I can do right now is trust that the work I’ve put in will pay off in a good way eventually. My skis felt great today, and we’re all really psyched as a team that we had such a solid start to the Tour. Lots more to come,” he concluded.

Bolger is optimistic as well. “This was my first time racing on this course here in Toblach, and I think it’s safe to say I’m a big fan. This was also my best result this season so I can’t be anything but happy, the way Period 1 ended. I knew i was heading in the right direction when it came to my shape, so being able to attack the first day of the Tour, with my best qualification ever 13th, and a end of the day result 21 I’m very happy,” added Bolger.

Results here.