January 01, 2017 (Val Mustair, Switzerland) – Canada’s Alex Harvey finished strong in 8th and is now third overall following the 10km CL mass start race on Stage two at the Tour de Ski won by Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov taking his second straight victory. Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby finished nearly two seconds back at 24:51.9 with fellow Norge Didrik Toenseth in third.

“It was a good day. I’m happy with the result and the way I skied,” said Harvey, who has consistently been in the top-10 this year. “The skis were good and I made up some spots on the down hills today.”

Harvey’s teammate Devon Kershaw finished in the points in 27th with a solid effort as he started in 54th. Graeme Killick also moved up nicely 14 spots to finish 33rd while Len Valjas rounded out the Canadian contingent in 38th. The USA’s Erik Bjornsen finished 42nd, Noah Hoffman was 46th and Simi Hamilton placed 75th.

Starting in fifth spot on the front line of the mass start race, Harvey executed his tactics to near perfection as 78 of the world’s best Nordic skiers jockeyed for position while venturing around the narrow 2.5 kilometre loop four times.

“The course was pretty dangerous. The snow was super fast with sharp corners. The first goal was to stay near the front and out of trouble. The second goal was to stay with the leaders. I accomplished both of those today so it was a great first two days,” added Harvey.

A lightening quick pace, skiing at altitude on a tricky layout that features a long, four-minute climb off the start mixed with tight corners, down hills and flats along in a rare 10-kilometre race distance were the perfect ingredients for a tough day at the office.

“Skis were great – they have been good all year this year. The boys are doing a fantastic job,” commented Kershaw. “It was hard to pass for sure. It was a short loop (2.5km) and a lot of turns – so it was hard to make any passes. Especially early. I started in the 11th row with bib 54, so it was really busy out there for me – but I was patient and managed my energy well I felt. I did what I could out there.

“I’m decently happy. I don’t want to be living just inside the top 30 – especially in classic distance races – but to move up from such a bad bib and deep in the field on this course – I felt like I did what I could,” he concluded.

Harvey, who has been battling heavy legs the last couple of days added, “I still didn’t feel 100 per cent today but better than yesterday. It is a bit higher altitude here than in Davos. It is the same for everyone, but it will be nice to get to sea level again in Oberstdorf.”

Results here.
Overall here.