January 24, 2014 – In this edition of Talkin’ With The Gravy Train, host Peter Graves speaks with Canadian Nordic ski legend Pierre Harvey, father of 25-year-old XC ski star Alex Harvey, who is poised to make his mark at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games in February.

Harvey, 56, who was born in Rimouski, QC, continues to be one of North America’s greatest cross-country champions. He was on three Olympic teams, and made history in 1984 by being the first Canadian to be on both a Summer and Winter Olympic Team, for cycling and cross-country skiing. He also took part in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary.

During his career, he had three World Cup wins and was most notable perhaps for his victory in the grueling 50km race at Oslo’s famed Holmenkollen in 1988. His son Alex won Team Sprint gold with Devon Kershaw in 2011, Canada’s first Nordic Worlds gold medal, at the same hallowed venue.

Pierre will be in Sochi covering another Olympic Games as a cross-country skiing commentator, and will be watching his son Alex compete at his second Games.

In this interview Pierre talks about his son’s only goal in Sochi – to be on the podium – and tells Peter what he will and won’t say by way of advice to Alex, gained from his own experience racing at the highest level. Harvey Sr. reveals that the Canadian squad is currently training in northern Italy in the same place he used to train with the team back in the day. He reflects on his own experiences competing and shares his favourite Olympic moments along with his positive feelings about the growth of the sport in North America.

Pierre is the definition of both elite sportsman and gentleman, and his easy going nature and humble attitude have made him nothing short of a beloved figure in the sport. “It was a pleasure to speak with him,” says Graves.

We were honoured to have Pierre on the cover of the very first issue of SkiTrax back in December 1990 and Alex graced the cover in Spring 2011 following his gold medal performance with Kershaw. It goes without saying that we look forward to more Harvey milestones and SkiTrax covers down the road. – ed

Pierre Harvey