March 20, 2012 (Mont Ste-Anne, QC) – After five months on the World Cup circuit, and fourteen World Cup medals – a stunning amount given the incredible international competition – Canada’s national cross-country ski team, both men and women, finally was able to come home.

Their flight was eight hours late and they hardly slept but they showed up at the start line the next day and proved why they are who they are. Alex Harvey raced on his home course to the delight of fans from across the country and took the gold on a warm and wet course in 40:54.1.

Harvey’s National teammate, Ivan Babikov, who had come home earlier as he had battled illness during the WCup season, earned the silver (adding to his gold from the classic race the day before), at 32:9 seconds back.

Despite a broken pole Devon Kershaw, who made history as the first Canadian to finish second overall on the World Cup, skied to take the bronze at 1:44.8 minutes back. The crowd could not have asked for more, but they go it anyway.

Skibec’s Marc-Andre Bedard was fourth, much to the delight of the Quebecois fans while David Greer of Whitehorse was fifth at 2:37.3 back while Foothills’ Brent McMurtry was sixth 2:42.3 back.

“It was hard out there because the snow was so soft,” said Harvey. “But it was super fun. I heard my name lots throughout the course and it was just so much fun to be racing here at home at the Nationals.”

Young skiers had waited patiently for Harvey and the rest of the National team to race and the significance of what they represent was not lost on him. “I am really happy that all of the World Cup Team was able to make it here this year,” said Harvey. “It is super important. I remember the first time I saw Beckie Scott and Sara Renner… it was at Nationals in Charlo, N.B. I was so excited to see them that I missed my start time by 10 seconds.

“I hope these kids here this week are just as psyched to see all of our World Cup medalists this week. Hopefully we can motivate them to train more this summer and race hard next year.”

The Junior Men’s race saw American David Sinclair from Dartmouth Outing Club cross the line first, 3:49.7 behind Harvey to finish 12th overall. Geoffrey Richards of Black Jack Club in B.C. was the first Canadian and took the title right behind Sinclair in 13th at 4:14.4 back.

They had a significant lead on the rest of the field as the silver medal went to Dominique Monclon-Groulx of Nakkertok at 5:14.8 back while Knute Johnsgaard of Whitehorse took home the bronze at 5:16:0 back.

Fifth went to Norwegian national team skier Martin Lowestroem Nyengt, 5:31:0 back, which meant Alex Mahoney of Rocky Mountain was the fourth Canadian skier at 5:46:1 back. Banff Ski Runners’ Zach Holland was fifth, 5:48:9 back and Riel Allain of Skinouk took 6th, 6:08:3 minutes back.

It was glorious end to a fabulous home-coming for Canada’s top WCup skiers, who made their mark on the world stage, and continued the charge at the Haywood Ski Nationals in Mont-Ste-Anne, Quebec on Tuesday afternoon.

Full results HERE.