February 06, 2016 (Oslo, Norway) – Canada’s Alex Harvey in 20th led four North Americans into the points battling through through foggy, wet conditions in the men’s 50km CL World Cup at the legendary Holmenkollen near Oslo, Norway. Local star, Martin Johnsrud Sundby, finally claimed his long-awaited 50km victory in the fabled stadium. Fellow Norge Niklas Dyrhaug settled for second while Russia’s Maxim Vylegzhanin battled for the final podium spot.

“I have been waiting for this moment for five years. It has always been a dream to win this race. When I was 9-years-old I was camping in the forest cheering for all the great skiers. My strategy was to shock the others today with a hard pace from the first kilometre. I think I have never been skiing 50 km that fast from the beginning,” said Sundby.

Canada’s Devon Kershaw had another solid effort finishing 23rd while the USA’s Noah Hoffman delivered a personal best 24th. Rounding out the points was Canadian Graeme Killick in 30th while American Scott Patterson was just behind in 32nd as his teammate Erik Bjornsen did not finish due to illness and will focus on his races at Falun next weekend.

With thousands of screaming fans lining the trails Sundby challenged the field early as a group of four began to establish a gap at around the 10km mark. About a dozen chasers including Petter Northug (Nor) formed behind with the North Americans in a second chase group just behind.

Sundby’s group stretched their lead to almost a minute and then he attacked with 10k to go and only Dyrhaug could stay with him. On the final rotation Sundby attacked again and soloed in for his 5th consecutive Holmenkollen victory, a first in the 114-year history of the Holmenkollen.

“On paper having three in the top-30 looks good, but we were definitely looking for more today,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Cross Country Ski Team. “The conditions were tough, but we just didn’t have the ski speed. We will keep working hard over the next couple of weeks in the lead up to the Ski Tour Canada which is our next big focus.”

The USA’s Hoffman was pleased with his race but felt his effort was conservative.

“Today was tough. It was foggy and warm and wet (though not as wet as it’s going to be for the women tomorrow) but it was great klister skiing. This is one of the hilliest and most challenging courses on the world cup and it was even more so this year with the addition of a short steep hill that was new to the course this year (to make a certain section of the course more spectator friendly).

“My effort today was very conservative. I skied the race to make sure I had good energy at the end and I accomplished that goal. I skied the entire race with Devon Kershaw. He was a really good person for me to follow today. We had other guys around us and a good group.

“This season has been very consistent for me. I haven’t had a breakthrough performance but I believe it is coming. I’m looking forward to more opportunities next week,” Hoffman told Trax.

“Noah Hoffman and Scott Patterson put together a couple strong results in the Holmenkollen 50k. We are really psyched for them,” said U.S. coach Matt Whitcomb. “For Scott to nearly crack the points on one of the hardest 50k course in the world as a World Cup rookie is very impressive. He has a big future ahead of him.”

Results here.