February 14, 2014 (Ostersund, Sweden) – Canada’s Alex Harvey displayed some savvy skiing to claim 2nd in the men’s 1.2km CL Sprint on Saturday behind winner Finn Hagen Krogh (NOR). Recent Norwegian national CL Sprint champ, Timo Bakken, grabbed the final spot on the podium.

It was Harvey’s second silver this season as he also took second in the men’s 15k CL pursuit in Oberstdorf, Germany on Stage 2 of the Tour de Ski back in January.

“The course was lots of fun. At first I thought it might be a bit short for me – 1.2km and 2min30sec but in the end it was great! My skis in the qualifier were a bit too thin on wax so we adjusted them for the quarters… then there was too much grip! By the semis my skis were perfect! It was fast corny snow with 1-2cm of new snow.

“In my quarter final two guys crashed ahead of me on the final corner. At the line I thought…man, I got super lucky, no way I would have advanced. But then, looking back at the times it was the fastest 1/4 final heat by far, so even if I came 4th in that heat, I would have been a Lucky Loser,” he told Trax post race.

The USA’s Simi Hamilton had a good day as well qualifying 12th and winning his quarter final after Eirik Brandsdal (NOR) was relegated for impeding another skier. In his semi Hamilton crashed on an uphill and his day was done finishing 11th overall.

“I’m happy with the day, even though it ended on a frustrating note. I felt good in the qualification and focused on maintaining a quick tempo herringbone up the steep climbs. In my quarter I didn’t get off to a great start, but I maintained a good position in the group and I knew that I’d have a good chance at some good passes later on in the heat because there were definitely some guys that were fading thought the whole course. In my semi my right ski just got caught up a bit in the super deep sugar on the second steep climb of the first lap, and I just accidentally planted my right pole thru the top sheet of the ski.

“Our techs did a great job preparing skis today and it was awesome to see Sadie, Sophie, and Andy have great days out there too. Despite the fall I’m psyched with how my energy and fitness are feeling right now going into Falun. I feel like my classic sprinting has come a long ways in the last couple of years and I’m excited for a classic sprint at a championship event,” he commented.

Hamilton’s teammate Andy Newell qualified 17th and raced a strong quarter final but ran out of gas. Toronto’s Len Valjas qualified 18th and finished third in his quarterfinal heat ending up 13th overall as he just missed out on a Lucky Loser spot. The USA’s Dakota Blackhorse-Von Jess finished 60th while Jesse Cockney (Can) was 75th.

“It was a really good day all around. I just came back from altitude so it is a bit of a toss up as to how the body will respond from that,” said Harvey. “This is great for my confidence. I think I have a little more to go, but I’m feeling close to 100 per cent as we get closer to the World Championships.”

Harvey also clarified his strategy in the heats. “I wasn’t hanging back in the semis, I just don’t have the speed these pure sprinters have. I was able to make some move in the second half of each round when the guys were getting a bit tired. Same in the final. I was going full blast from the gun, I just don’t have the same speed as these guys. No 15km for me tomorrow (Sunday). In Falun there will be a lot of racing for me so today is enough,” he added.

Qualifications here.
Final results here.