January 02, 2012 (Toblach, Italy) – Hardy, tough and experienced are but a few words to describe Team Canada’s Ivan Babikov. Tomorrow you might add another word; starter.

Despite his hard tumble in Obertsdorf near the end of the 20km Stage 4 Skiathlon at the Tour de Ski, SkiTrax can confirm that he is expected to be at the start line for 5km Stage 5 classic individual start in Toblach, Italy. Babikov, who was near the front in the Skiathlon and looking good for a top-10 finish, crashed hard into a fence on the final downhill with about 400 meters to go.

Head Coach Justin Wadsworth told SkiTrax today via email, that “…he was in 12th place and in the process of passing when it happened. At first the doctor thought he broke his arm, but after x-rays in Oberstdorf they concluded it was not. They did put him in a brace, and he did ski with the brace today with some pain. He will race tomorrow, and we’ll see how it goes.”

Despite his hand injury Cross Country Canada’s media director at the tour, Chris Dornan, told us today that Babikov is ok. “He is doing fine. We arrived in Toblach last night and he was able to ice his hand on the bus and have it in a brace for the team bus ride from Oberstdorf to Toblach.

“His wrist is still sore, but he did participate in a regular training session this morning in Toblach with the brace on. Ivan is relentless in his pursuit of excellence. He is a fighter and plans to be on the start line representing Canada tomorrow for the five-km classic race in Toblach.”

Wadsworth is trying to maintain a philosophic outlook, but it’s not easy. “It’s really a tough one because he skied so well that day, and I’m 99% all three would have been in the top ten,” he added.

A fighter indeed.