Stefan Kuhn

December 4, 2008 (Kuusamo, Finland) – Canadian National Team member Stefan Kuhn recorded his best ever World Cup sprint finish last weekend in the opening WC sprint in Kuusamo, Finland. He is now in Grenoble, France getting ready for a non-FIS sprint (today) and then off to La Clusaz, France for World Cup races this coming weekend.

I was really excited to start the season off with a qualification (24th) in the classic sprint at the Kuusamo World Cup. Kuusamo is a great race for classic steep long hills. You cannot double pole it which is what they should be like all the time. I felt good right off the start in the qualifier and really pushed my double pole in the stadium which is the weakest part of my classic discipline. I crossed the line in 24th. Perfect I thought, only four seconds from the fastest qualifier.

In the rounds I was really pumped and ready to go. I jumped the gun on the first go but on the second shot I went out well and was sitting in third. I stayed with my plan right through the course till the last hill and then was sitting in second. We went around the tree heading into the final stretch where I got bumped to 4th-5th. I started my attack with some slips which was my mistake, being too fast and not being over the ski so I lost a few seconds.

My classic technique was ‘on’ and I went into some double poling which was feeling really strong and I was able to catch 3rd place and was closing on 2nd. At the finish I lost the lunge for the next spot to go through. I was disappointed as I felt a lot better and was thinking “today I have the body to go to the A final”. Next time!!!! In the end I am extremely happy and ready for the next sprint.