December 14, 2014 (Davos, Switzerland) – While Norway’s Finn Haagen Krogh celebrated his first World Cup victory taking the 1.3km FR Sprint in Davos on Saturday it was Canada’s Len Valjas that turned heads back home in Toronto and across the country as the popular lanky skier was the top North American qualifer (10th) and finisher (13th) today.

Krogh wins © Nordic Focus

“Today was exactly the day I needed,” said Valjas. “It’s been a long time since I’ve made the heats and it has worn me down. I can’t tell you how happy I am to make it today, and a result that I am happy with.”

The multiple World Cup medallist in sprint and distance races has battled knee injuries over the last year that has prevented him from making any charge to the international podium. But on Sunday in Davos, everything changed and the lanky Canuck was back in the mix.

“This course suits my size and skiing so I was able to use my size and move fast,” added Valjas. “Next weekend we have the same race, and I like look forward to learning from today and trying to ski even better!”

FIS world cup cross-country, pursuit men, Falun (SWE)

Joining Valjas in the heats was US speed king Andy Newell who qualified 15th but did not advance past his quarter final heat telling SkiTrax, “Today was a better day for the team as a whole after last weekend sprint. This is a familiar course for us and it was fun to have some fast stable conditions to race in and some faster skis than the previous two weekends.

“Of course I’m disappointed not to advance through the quarterfinals but I think there were some positives on the day and my speed and strength felt better than it has the past two weekends. I know I’m definitely a top 15 world cup sprinter so it’s been frustrating not to be able to show it the first two sprints if the year.  Now I just need to make a few adjustments to make that next step to the finals and podium.

Andrew Newell © Nordic Focus

“I was disappointed to hear that FIS had changed next weekends races since it has always been my plan to go home for Xmas and return for the tour.  But I’m still going to stick to my plan and head back to the US tomorrow.  It will be frustrating to miss a sprint that I know I can do well in but in the long run I think it will make sense. I will suffer with world cup points but I’m confident I’ll make some of that up later in the season,” he concluded.

Qualifications here.
Final here.