December 21, 2015 (Toblach, Italy) – Canada’s Alex Harvey charged to 16th in the men’s 15km CL on Sunday in Toblach, Italy with teammate Devon Kershaw finishing 28th in the points, as Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby continued his early dominance of the World Cup season skiing away with the gold with a time of 35:27.4.

Russia’s Alexander Bessmertnykh finished nearly 13 seconds off the leading pace in second at 35:40.0, while Norways Sjur Roethe skied to the final step of the men’s podium with a time of 36:16.0.

With conditions on the artificial snow-filled course sending wax techs into a frenzy this weekend, the top-two Canadian skiers were among many of the world’s best skiers who chose to doublepole each of the three laps around the five-kilometre course.

“Definitely a solid effort by the guys and I think it shows they are good mentally to be able to bounce back after yesterday,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “I think everyone got really excited when Alex finished second on the opening weekend, but right now we are back on our plan. The focus is on the two Tours this year and we’ve been building to that. The results have been relatively strong heading into the Tour de Ski, and today was a step in the right direction.

Athletes struggled at the beginning of the Toblach track, which consists of an uphill for the first half followed by a long downhill. The gamble paid off with a solid outing for the Canadians.

“This is the first time that Alex or Devon has doublepoled a whole distance race so that was a solid effort today,” added Wadsworth. “The guys have showed they are in it. Their shape is good. We need to keep plugging away, and progressing towards the Tour. Devon has been in the points in every distance race this year, and I think that may be the first time he has been able to do that in his career which is good.”

Andy Newell, led the U.S. men’s team finishing 52nd, Canada’s Graeme Killick doublepoled his way to 54th, American Noah Hoffman was 61st, Michael Somppi (Can) finished 70th, Canadian sprint specialist, Len Valjas placed 75th and Kris Freeman was 78th.

Full results here.