February 15, 2016 (Falun, SWE) –  In rock’em-sock’em finish Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov took the men’s 15km FR mass start at Falun for his first World Cup distance win in a very tight race that saw Italy’s Francesco De Fabiani bolt from behind on the outside lane to pip Norwegian strongman Martin Johnsrud Sundby at line by a scant 0.1s for the silver. The top five were separated by only 1.0 second.

Canada’s Devon Kershaw, 33, in the chase group, landed in the points finishing 28th as the top North American while Erik Bjornsen led the U.S. men for the second day, finishing 35th overall just out of the points.

The front pack remained close throughout the race as the lead continued to change. Starting back in 47th Kershaw maintained pace with the leaders until midway point on the rolling course. After falling back he led the chase pack for most of the final 5km.

“While not great, it was a decent day for Devon,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “He was able to move up through the pack in a fast, short race, and is showing he is in good shape. It is not getting any easier each year. As you get older so much is on confidence, but you also need to pair that confidence with great fitness and skis. He has consistently been in that top 20-30 range, and now needs to make that jump into the top-15 which is not easy.”

Kershaw is on the comeback trail after his heady days back in 2012 when he finished second overall on the World Cup behind Dario Cologna (SUI). That season he took home six medals including Canada’s first-ever World Cup sprint gold.

Meanwhile US rookie, Bjornsen, continues to show signs of improvement. “Erik was looking to capitalize on his good shape and repeat yesterday’s race into the points today, and nearly accomplished this, finishing 35th, less than five seconds out of the top-30, and seven seconds out of 26th,” said coach Jason Cork. “He’s definitely racing more as we know he can, and although today’s result wasn’t in the points.”

The USA’s Noah Hoffman was 41st, Simi Hamilton was 61st, Canada’s Graeme Killick skied to 68th and American Scott Patterson was 74th and his teammate Reese Hanneman was 88th. Canada’s Alex Harvey was forced to sit out due to illness while Len Valjas also did not start.

It was a Russian sweep of the top step of the podium in Sweden as Nikita Kriukov won the men’s sprint in Stockholm on Feb. 11 and Maxim Vylegzhanin won the 10km CL on Feb. 13.

Results here.