Alex Harvey (Can) ©Phil Bowen copyright 2009
Pierre Harvey (Can) - a proud father. ©skitrax.com
Alex Harvey (Can) ©Phil Bowen copyright 2009
Alex Harvey (Can) ©Phil Bowen copyright 2009
Congratulations on your 3rd place finish in the World Cup 50km in Trondheim, Norway. You mentioned that you were in good form heading into the race – at what point did you realize that a podium was possible?
Alex Harvey: Thanks – to be honest, I never thought about it until the last 3km. When I was in third and I had just dropped Northug.
When you broke away about mid-point in the race you looked relaxed. Was it your goal then to go for the win or just shake things up a bit?
AH: More to shake things up. I knew I would not stay away for the whole race. I just wanted to wake up the skiers in the pack and not ski for 25km with 30 guys in a massive group.
It took a solid effort from Tobias Angerer (Ger) and Sami Jauhojaervi (Fin) to catch you. It looked like your skis were running well in the race.
AH: Yes my skis were good for sure – but I think Tobi’s were amongst the fastest in the pack. At 4km to go there’s a long downhill into the stadium and drafting behind Tobi I could not follow him.
You’ve had a long season racing in North America and Europe – what are your plans this spring?
AH: I’m going to go home right after this trip and catch up with my family and friends. Then I will head to Cuba at the end of April with some friends for a week. Then back to training in May!
What did your dad say after your result in Trondheim? It would appear that the spring World Cups treat the Harvey family well.
AH: Yeah, we both love to race in the spring! He was really surprised – actually, he did not believe it at first. He was skiing at Mont-Sainte-Anne and people told him but he thought they were wrong or that the results were wrong!
How does it feel to be the youngest Canadian skier to ever make a World Cup podium (Harvey’s second podium this season)? Did you think this was possible heading into this season?
AH: Absolutely not. I was hoping to score some world cup points at the most. It feels so good to get on the podium right away. I mean, I’ve dreamt about it since I was a young kid. I expected to be competitive for podium finishes when I’m 25.
Your teammates at the Pierre Harvey Training Centre have also had a successful year. How much has this group of athletes contributed to your success?
AH: As a cross-country skier you train so much that your training partners are a big part of your life. My relationship with the guys on the team is amazing. We are all friends and everyone respects each other. We are able to joke around and also be serious when it’s time – but we joke around more often! Being challenged by your teammates is also super important. It makes you push yourself to a whole new level. All of the guys in Quebec have strengths so I really benefit from them.
All the best this weekend.
AH: Thanks