March 18, 2011 (Falun, Sweden) – Following an up and down season the Russian men appeared in top form to place two skiers on the podium and grabbed 4th as well for good measure. Lead by winner Ilia Chernousov (10:51) and third place finisher Maxim Vylegzhanin (10:56.0) the Russians swarmed the men’s 3.3km Classic Prologue with Norway’s Petter Northug playing the spoiler. Always a contender Northug claimed second in 10:54.7 while Russia’s Evgeniy Belov followed teammate Vylegzhanin to take fourth overall.

The Canadian duo of Devon Kershaw and Alex Harvey lead the North American contingent finishing 22nd and 25th respectively. Kershaw was 26.8 seconds back, while Harvey was 28.2 seconds of the winning time.

Post race Harvey was frustrated telling SkiTrax, ”I’m really disappointed about today’s Prologue. I broke a pole strap right out of the start gate. I skied the first 400m with basically one pole, screaming at Justin [Wadsworth] who was on the top of the hill.

“He came running at me, gave me a pole that was kinda short with a ”quick strap”. My plan was to ski the first 1km smooth and relaxed, and I did the total opposite with that start.”

Kris Freeman was 30th place, 32 seconds back, with teammates Andy Newell in 42nd and Lars Flora in 48th. “I’m feeling like my shape is better than it was at Worlds or in Lahti,” commented Freeman post-race.

“It’s fun to get to the top of a hill and feel like there’s more there, like there’s more to give. I felt like my race was pretty good, and I am hoping for one more top ten in Falun, then it’s off to the Spring Series [in Sun Valley].”

Canada’s Ivan Babikov from Canmore, Alta., finished 39th in 11:33.1, while Whitehorse skier, Graham Nishikawa, finished 40th in 11:35.7.

Full results HERE.
MiniTour Standings HERE.