December 05, 2014 (Lillehammer, NOR) – Canada’s Alex Harvey continues to deliver with consistent race performances no matter what the distance or discipline as he took home 5th in the men’s 1.5km FR Sprint in Lillehammer at the first mini-tour of the season won by Norway’s Paal Golberg. Russia’s Alexey Petukhov skied to the silver medal, while Finn Haagen Krogh won the bronze.

Alex Harvey © Nordic Focus

Harvey who was third overall last season sits 8th but his skiing ability and record is tough to match. Only a handful of skiers are looking better as the season gets underway.

“I’m really happy today and it is setting me up for a good weekend,” said Harvey. “The qualifier I really didn’t feel well and I just found I was lacking snap on the steep terrain. I started to feel a bit better and it came around in the heats.”

The 26-year-old advanced twice as a lucky to the final as he struggled to match stride with the frontrunners in his quarterfinal finishing third.  Leading for most of the heat in his semifinal faded a bit near the end but again took 3rd which put him on the start line in the final.

The final saw Harvey mid pack but he couldn’t keep pace when it picked up. “My plan was to just approach that hill with good energy but going up against those sprinters that are going 100 per cent, I just wasn’t able to respond. It is a good start and I’m looking forward to the weekend now.”

Andrew Newell © Nordic Focus

US speed king Andy Newell was a surprise non-qualifier including Simi Hamilton. “Aside from one or two crashes I’ve been top 30 in every sprint since 2006, so today felt a little strange for sure,” confided Newell.

“I felt pretty decent out there and maybe didn’t nail the qualification but felt like I would have been in there. Everyone on our team was a few seconds back from where they should have been so we think it just wasn’t our day with the skis. I’m not too bummed, qualifying is definitely something I’ve taken for granted over the years and this just reminds me to make sure everything is dialed and to stay on top of it.”

Marit Bjoergen © Nordic Focus

Marit Bjoergen led a Norwegian sweep in the women’s 1.3km FR race with Celine Brun-Lie in second and Heidi Weng in third. It was a tough day for the North American women as the USA’s Sadie Bjornsen was the lone NA qualifier for the women – sprint ace and reigning Sprint Cup 3x crystal globe winner, Kikkan Randall, did not qualify. Perianne Jones (Can) just missed out advancing as she placed 33rd.

“I was looking forward to today’s race as the first skate sprint of the season.  Unfortunately my race shape is not quite 100% yet, and, in combination with battling a cold this week and possibly some tough skis for our team today, I missed advancing to the quarterfinals for the first time since spring of 2009 (I believe),” commented Randall.

Kikkan Randall © Nordic Focus

Bjornsen is feeling strong and eager to hit the start line again. “It was a fierce and fun start to the three day mini tour here in Lillehammer Norway on some of the hardest courses of the year. I had a good qualifier to start the day off, and entered into the heats, ready to fire away. Unfortunately, I had a slower start, so wasn’t able to find the gap and opportunity to really punch to the front.

“Sprint racing is a sport of its own. There are so many tactical and physical skills – that can only be mastered with practice! Sometimes I wish that I could just practice it every single day, and really get it figured out! But, I had some great skis, and there was a great crowd out there – so I had a fun time!

Sadie Bjornsen © Nordic Focus

“I am looking forward to the 5k skate race tomorrow, a race I haven’t gotten to do in several years. We only get a couple 5k races per year – so I am ready to try it out!! There are some mean climbs out there, so I am hoping to find a way to float right up them!

The big news for the US camp as the return of Sophie Caldwell who has been recovering from a second broken elbow suffered during a fall at a training camp. Caldwell was 61st on the day but things are looking up for the Vermont skier.

Women’s Qualifications here – full results here.
Men’s Qualifications here – full results here.