December 02, 2016 (Lillehammer (Norway) – Canada’s Alex Harvey placed a strong 10th in the men’s 1.6km CL Sprint with teammate Len Valjas 13th as the 3-day mini tour got underway in Lillehammer, Norway. Calle Halfvarsson of Sweden claimed the win extending his overall series lead, Norway’s Emil Iversen was second, while Sweden’s Teodor Peterson captured the final podium spot.

Harvey qualified 23rd and went on to win his quarter final heat but in his semi was cut off by Halfvarsson for which the Swede was yellow carded. Harvey’s momentum was effectively killed at that moment and he fell to the back of the pack.

“Top-10 is always the goal and a great way to start a mini-tour where there is extra points given for everyone in the top-12 so I’m very satisfied with the day,” said Harvey, “It is too bad I got taken out of the race on the final hill. I was carrying a lot of speed and he [Halfvarsson] just cut in front of me, but that is sprinting. Halfvarsson got his yellow card, but was the strongest athlete on the day.”

Toronto’s Valjas, 28, the top North American qualifier in 19th, posted one of his best results in two years. After battling a sore knee following surgery nearly three years ago he was happy to taste a better result.

“My body felt as good, or better, today than I have ever felt and that is a great feeling. Sometimes even I was doubting if I would ever feel the same again, and I am now, so I’m very excited,” said Valjas, who racked up five World Cup podiums before his surgery in 2013.

Valjas led for much of his quarter-final round which was stacked with two Norwegian top guns but faded to fourth and then hammered back into third spot in a tight finish yet did not advance as a Lucky Loser.

“I knew I had the body today to make it to the finals. Our wax techs just crushed our skis today. They were some of the best skis I have ever had. I was able to drop people on the downhills and had more kick going up the hills. I just got boxed in coming into that finishing straight. I tried to jump tracks but just needed a little more real estate.

“I know I can be back to where I was. I changed a lot today. Mostly, I came into the sprint day a lot more rested. Last week I woke up on race day and felt like it was the day after the race feeling tired with heavy legs. This week, I made sure I didn’t do too much the day before, and felt great today so that is a good sign,” Valjas added.

The USA’s Erik Bjornsen qualified in 30th also advancing to the heats but his day ended with a 5th place in his 1/4 final heat. “It was great to qualify for the heats after missing last week’s by 0.6 seconds. Sprinting is so much more fun when you get to go head to head. I was feeling great on the double pole sections. I need to continue to work on my fast striding if I want to make the next step. I feel like I had a pretty stacked heat so I’m happy to have improved on my qualification place. I’m definitely left feeling hungry for more though,” Bjornsen told Trax.

Canada’s Devon Kershaw was 42nd, the USA’s Andy Newell was 47th with teammate Simi Hamilton 48th. Knute Johnsgaard (Can) was 51st, fellow Canuck Bob Thompson was 52nd, Graeme Killick (Can) was 71st, Eric Packer (USA) finished 73rd, Noah Hoffman (USA) was 89th and Canadian Andy Shields was 90th

“I personally felt a bit better this week than last. Sometimes that first weekend on the World Cup you are trying to tune things up a little bit and I was missing a little speed in the sprint,” concluded Harvey. “I knew I had a better chance in the rounds today. I was in good position the whole way. I had good finishing kick on the home stretch and feel really strong.”

The World Cup mini-tour continues Saturday at the birth country of the sport in Lillehammer, Norway with a 5- and 10-kilometre skate-skiing race.

Men’s 1.6km Qualifications here
Men’s 1.6km Final here
Men’s Overall here