March 17, 2014 (Falun, Sweden) – Canada’s Alex Harvey capped the best season of his career with two more podiums as he finished second in the Falun mini tour and third overall in the World Cup rankings. Taking the mini tour crown was Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR), who had already secured the World Cup crystal globe as well along with the distance title, while Russia’s Alexander Legkov claimed the final mini tour podium spot and his best-ever World Cup ranking in second.

Sundby also became the first skier to win all three Tour competitions in one season – the Kuusamo mini-tour,  the Tour de Ski, and the World Cup mini-tour finale to wrap up the 2013-14 season.

“I’m super stoked. That was a super nice way to end the season,” said Harvey. “I knew yesterday I had to beat one of those two guys (Sundby and Legkov) today to be in the top-three in the overall and it was game on. My skis were awesome again today. The wax techs did an awesome job. I’m so happy!”

Harvey started the final pursuit with a 26-second margin but Sundby and Legkov ran him down by the 6km mark. With 2km to go Sundby upped the pace but was kept in check as Legkov decided it was his turn to go. But it was not his day as Harvey and Sundby countered and dropped him with Sundby soloing in for the win.

“Those are two of the best in the world and are both Olympic medallists,” commented Harvey. “I knew it wouldn’t be easy, but I also knew I needed to beat one of them to get into that top-three. Once Legkov couldn’t respond, I just had to stay on my skis. I had great shape and the skis were really good!”

Harvey’s previous best in the World Cup overall standings was sixth in 2012 – the same year his teammate Devon Kershaw finished in second place behind Dario Cologna (SUI), the best-ever overall finish by a Canadian male. This season, en route to third overall, Harvey, racked up six medals including three gold, two silver and one bronze.

“When I grew up it was never something I thought about. My dad (Pierre) was never better than eighth in the overall. Just being on the World Cup podium was something we all dreamt of in Canada,” commented Harvey who’s father won Canada’s first World Cup in Falun back in 1987.

“We have come a long way. We know we can be fighting for the top every weekend. Devon (Kershaw) was second a couple of years ago, and now I’m third. We take a lot of satisfaction showing that we can be consistent,” added the St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que. skier.

Kershaw, 31, found his form in Falun as he followed up his solid 12-place finish in the 30km Skiathlon with a 12th in the mini tour ending up 43rd overall. The Sudbury skier shared the podium with Harvey at the opening stage of Tour de Ski for their historic  1-2 Canadian finish with Harvey claiming the Tour leader’s jersey, another first.

The top US skier was Noah Hoffman, who finished the mini in 21st to claim a final ranking of 36th overall on the World Cup, a big improvement over last year (48th) but still shy of his goal to make the top 30.

Hoffman’s teammate Andy Newell, who dropped out of the mini tour, ended up 40th in the overall standings which was a pendulum swing in the other direction as he was 29th last year.

Canada’s Ivan Babikov was just behind Hoffman in Falun placing 23rd for a final World Cup ranking of 44th just behind Kershaw as both skiers have seen better days with Babikov topping the North Americans last year in 20th.

The USA’s Simi Hamilton finished his season in 53rd while Erik Bjornsen, a World Cup newbie was 134th as another season came to a close at the site of the 2015 Nordic World Championships.

“This has been the best season of my life by far,” added Harvey. “Obviously we didn’t deliver at the Olympics the way we wanted to which was the goal, but to be top-three in the overall, and be consistent each week. I take a lot of satisfaction in that.”

Justin Wadsworth Canadian Head Coach was smiling but knows there’s lots work still to be done. “It was a good day and a good last few days and for us to end the season like this really takes a lot of the sting out of the rest of the year which was definitely not as good as we all wanted it.

“Alex’s performance and those by Devon and Ivan were strong so we’re finishing the season on a high note. My hats off to the technicians and everyone behind the team. We went through some difficult times at the start of the season and at the Olympics and we’ve tried to learn from it and rebounded.

“Now Alex is third overall on the World Cup and for a North American to do…it’s a feat that I don’t think people realize just how big a feat it really is. He’s been living out of his suitcase and hotels for the past five months so hats off to Alex for staying professional and being the champion that his is.”

Mini Tour results here.
Distance World Cup overall here.
World Cup overall here.