January 19, 2014 (Szklarska Poreba, Poland) – Canada’s Alex Harvey and his cohorts Devon Kershaw and Ivan Babikov were on fire on Sunday in the men’s 15km CL in Poland, but Team Russia blazed some trails of their own as Maxim Vylegzhanin powered in for the victory followed by teammate Evgeniy Belov in second with pre-race favourite Alexey Poltoranin (KAZ) settling for third.

Maxim Vylegzhanin takes the 15km CL win © Nordic Focus

Harvey just missed the final break as Vylegzhanin pounced with one 2.7km-lap to go but the Canadian couldn’t quite bridge despite a valiant effort, as he passed all other contenders except the three leaders to claim 4th. Belov, who was closer to the front reacted to his teammate’s surge, as only he and Poltoranin could match Vylegzhanin’s assault. Germany’s Hannes Dotzler and Tobias Angerer tried to counter but their efforts were in vain.

Just behind Harvey’s teammates Kershaw and Babikov signaled that the Canadians were here to ski as they moved up to take a strong 8th and 9th finish making it a stellar day for the Canadian camp. Russia and Germany also had three skiers in the top 10 as these three nations clearly dominated the field, but pundits were quick to point out that Norway, Sweden and Finland were not on the start line.

“We had good skis again and the organizers did a good job on the course. I was expecting the Russians and Poltoranin to be strong so things unfolded as expected,” Harvey told Trax post-race. “On the last lap I was really out of position in about 20th and made my way back to the front 10 skiers.

Harvey moving up thru the field... © Nordic Focus

“I pushed hard to get near the front and could see Vylegzhanin ahead attacking. I was able to get around a few more guys but I missed the winning move. In the end I was able to finally pass Angerer and Dotzler as well but the gap was too big to catch the Russians. I was happy with my last lap.

“It was a great weekend here with Peri’s 10th, our really fast skis, and my first full World Cup win. It was my first sprint win too so it’s good to see the tactics, the body and the equipment all going well at the same time.”

Full Harvey interview
http://skitrax.com/audio/Alex.Poland.2.mp3

The USA’s Noah Hoffman was on fire himself as the race got underway, skiing near the front for the first 5km. He fell back to around 20th as others pushed to lead the pack and was not able to move up again finishing in 19th – a personal best for a distance classic race.

Noah Hoffman (USA) © Nordic Focus

“Today was good but not great. I skied like an amateur. It was a little belligerent of me to go to the front on the first lap to push the pace. My plan was to be aggressive. I didn’t want the race to be a walk in the park then come down to a huge group sprint.

“However, I used way too much energy trying to prevent that from happening. I was worried that the small field would lead to a slow race. In hindsight, I should have developed my plan around the race instead of trying to control the race.

“I believe my fitness and energy are in a good spot heading into the Olympics. The course here was hard and representative of what we’ll see in Sochi. I’m looking forward to a good training camp in Italy for the next two weeks,” the Hoff told SkiTrax.

The USA’s Andy Newell also landed in the points following a full day of sprinting yesterday. Newell’s distance skiing continues to improve as he loves being in the hunt for World Cup points.

“It was good to be in the points today so I’m happy for that but would have really liked to be farther up there considering the field. The conditions were great despite some dirt and rocks, but my skis ended up getting a bit slick out there.

Andy Newell (USA) © Nordic Focus

“I started slipping after three laps once the tracks got more glazed, so that made it tough not to have a little mini bonk out there.
It was a short lap but there was definitely a big steep climb out there which made the course kind of tough.

“I’m always happy to fight it out for every last World Cup point so in that respect it was a fun day. Tomorrow the team and I will make a 9-hour drive to Seiser Alm Italy where we will be at our pre-Olympic camp until the Toblach WC races,” shared Newell.

We also caught up with the USA’s Erik Bjornsen racing with the World Cup team as part of his preparation for U23 World Championships. Bjornsen qualified 35th in the FR sprint just missing out on the heats which we surmised might be due to jet lag. “Yesterday’s race felt like one of my better qualifiers this year. I didn’t feel any jet leg but I guess it might be effecting me a little bit. Overall it has been a smooth transition over here.

“Today’s distance race was kind of a disappointment. I made some bad calls with my kick wax. When I tested my skis a half hour before my start the big climb was still cold and less icy than the rest of the course. I was able to kick up it great so I told my wax tech that the skis were perfect.

Eric Bjornsen © file photo

“By the first time we went around the course the conditions had completely changed. I skied all of the hills outside the track and was able to find some kick. I also had a pretty bad crash on the first lap. I got into great position just outside the top 10 and about a kilometer and a half into the race my ski got kicked sideways from behind and I stumbled. I tried to get up but the trail was very narrow and got tangled again and then when the 60 or so guys passed me I had space in the back and was able to finally get up. It was a bad way to start, that’s for sure! All in all, I’m happy I was able to get in another distance start on the World Cup and I know that when things all come together I’m capable of skiing into the top 30.

“I feel I’m getting faster and faster everyday. Nationals were good but its not indicative of what I’m capable of this year. I feel like I’m still building into the season and I’m super excited for the Under 23 World Championships. I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to race the World Cup this weekend and I hope I can race fast in the next few races so that its possible I get more chances again this season. Racing on the SuperTour is great but I feel I’m at the point that if I want to be successful on the World Cup I need to be there racing. Every World Cup race has been a learning experience for me,” added Bjornsen.

The final word goes to Canadian Head Coach Justin Wadsworth who commented, “Yes a great weekend… this is more what we’re looking for and it’s coming at the right time. We just have to stay focused on our day-to-day routines going into the Games as things are looking pretty good.

Devon Kershaw (CAN) © Nordic Focus

“I can’t thank our wax techs and crew enough. They really have shined this year in tough conditions… the athletes will tell you that you have to have good skis to be at the front and I can’t say enough about them and we hope we can keep it going into Sochi. It’s also great to have the support of everyone in this Olympic year, our fans and sponsors and the team behind the team – we’re thankful for all the support,” commented Wadsworth whoe says Len Valjas in doing better improving each day in Canmore as the is off their next training block in Italy – full interview below.

Full Wadsworth interview

Men’s 15km CL Results here.

Final podium (l-r) Belov 2nd, Vylegzhanin 1st, Poltoranin 3rd © Nordic Focus