January 17, 2009 (Whistler, BC) – Pietro Piller Cottrer (Ita) was the clear winner at Saturday’s 30km Pursuit – 15km classic and 15km skate – in Whistler Olympic Park under beautiful sunshine and blues skies as Canada’s Ivan Babikov snagged 6th place. Babikov was in lead chase group that sprinted to finish with France’s Jean Marc Gaillard taking second and Italy’s Valerio Checchi third. Canada’s Devon Kershaw was with the leaders until the final lap but went down, and although he fell off the pace Kershaw recovered to place 10th.

Canada’s 20 year-old star Alex Harvey, who’s father is the legendary xc skier Pierre Harvey and was also commentating today, had a fabulous performance placing 12th. Top US distance skier Kris Freeman had fine form earlier in the competition and was with the lead group but settled for 18th at the finish.

“I’m very happy with this win,” said Piller Cottrer. “I am the first Italian to earn 6 first place World Cup podiums and with this win I am now leading the World Cup distance competition.” Piller was also on the Italian relay team that won Olympic gold in Torino 2006.

The 28-year-old Babikov, who received his Canadian citizenship just one year ago was happy with his race. “I had to use a lot of energy to get back up with the pack, but I am happy with today for sure. I am pretty tired from the Tour de Ski but happy with our results today. It is nice to see Canadians near the top and we are starting to form a group for a strong relay team too.”

“I am exhausted,” said Kershaw, “I fought as long as I could but it was tough today. ”What’s important this week is to race these courses and get comfortable.” Harvey, whose previous best World Cup finish was 46th, was pleased, “I think this leaves a good impression for the coaches to show I can be one of the best and earn my spot on the Olympic team.”

For the USA’s Freeman hot off a win in the 15km freestyle at the 2009 U.S. Championships last week in Anchorage, it was his second-best World Cup performance this season – previously in Kuusamo, Finland he placed 16th in a 15km classic race. U.S. Cross Country Head Coach Peter Vordenberg said the results were lukewarm. “We were really looking for a lot more today. Everything was in place to have a great race. Kris is in awesome shape and we’re trying to think why it didn’t go better,” he said.

Full results here.

Results (brief)

1. Pietro Piller Cottrer (Ita) 1:13:01.5
2. Jean Marc Gaillard (Fra) 1:13:16.5
3. Valerio Checchi (Ita) 1:13:16.8
4. David Hofer (Ita) 1:13:17.4
5. Emmanuel Jonnier (Fra) 1:13:18.0
6. Ivan Babikov (Can) 1:13:18.0

10. Devon Kershaw (Can) 1:13:28.1
12. Alex Harvey (Can) 1:14:43.1
14. Christopher Butler (Can) 1:15:30.2
15. Dan Roycroft (Can) 1:15:30.3
16. Brent McMurtry (Can) 1:15:35.3
17. George Grey (Can) 1:15:45.5
18. Kris Freeman (USA) 1:15:53.4