January 03, 2014 (Cortina, Italy) – Team USA’s Noah Hoffman (USA) threw down the second-fastest time of the day in the TdS men’s 35km FR Pursuit from Cortina to Toblach, rocketing him from 56th spot into 27th overall. Last year at his inaugural Tour the Hoff was 46th. Meanwhile, Canada’s Alex Harvey (CAN) fought to maintain a top TdS podium spot, skiing strong and smart to finish third behind winner and race leader Martin Sundby (NOR) while Petter Northug (NOR) grabbed second. Northug’s result moved him from fourth to second place in the overall standings.

Noah Hoffman (USA) © Nordic Focus

This was Hoffman’s second podium stage World Cup result this season as the Aspen, Colorado-skier had the fastest pursuit time at the season opening World Cup in Kuusamo, Finland in November.

“I am very happy with how the race went today. My energy was great. I was very aggressive. I started hard because I knew I needed to move up on the uphill portion of the race. I pushed very hard near the top to make contact with a big group because I know from experience that it is crucial to be with a group on that descent. I had excellent skis and am happy to be competitive in this Tour again. I believe my original goal of finishing in the top 20 is attainable. I’m looking forward to the last two days,” Hoffman told SkiTrax post race.

“Noah picked up where Jessie and Liz left off, not to mention where he left off in the Kuusamo mini tour. We’ve always known Noah can chase people down that are ahead of him, but his speed has often suffered in the final 1-2 kilometers of racing. In kuusamo and again today he caught the pack and finished high within it. His ability to ski efficiently with the group has improved dramatically,” commented Women’s Head Coach Matt Whitcomb.

Starting 35 seconds behind Sundby 25-year-old Harvey tucked himself into a group of seven athletes where he did a good job conserving energy for the first 18-kilometre high-speed climb on the mountain pass before the descent into Toblach, which highlights the second half of the race.

Alex Harvey (CAN) © Nordic Focus

“My plan was to fight for dear life and hang onto that group today,” said Harvey. “It went a lot easier on the climb than I thought. It is a unique race that we only do once a year and you really never know how far in you are. It is a challenge mentally and fun to chase people down and form little groups.”

(l-r) Alex Harvey (CAN), Martin Sundby (NOR), Petter Northug (NOR) © Nordic Focus

With Sundby pulling strong off the front for the duration of the longest race at the Tour de Ski, he left the rest of the top Nordic skiers on the planet to fight for the final two spots on the podium. As Sundby collapsed over the finish line, Harvey bolted down a left hand finishing lane where he claimed the bronze medal with a time of 1:21:17.4. It was the 10th World Cup career podium for Harvey, of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que. He has also won two World Championship medals.

“I’m really happy with how things went today,” said Harvey, who sits third in the overall Tour de Ski standings with two races remaining. “Heading into the Tour I was hoping for a few top-five finishes, but to be in the top-three overall the whole way is exciting.”

Martin Sundby (NOR) © Nordic Focus

Sundby clocked a golden time of 1:20:18.7, while Northug won the sprint for the silver with a time of 1:21:16.9.

Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., held his own, skiing a strong second half to finish 23rd with a time of 1:23:24.0. Ivan Babikov, of Canmore, Alta. rebounded to finish 28th (1:23:25.0) up from 32nd at the start, after skiing four of the first five kilometres without a pole.

“I caught a group of skiers at around 2km from the start and while passing them I got slightly tangled with one of them and he stepped on my pole and it broke. After that I lost a minute on the group that I was skiing with that included Tord Asle Gjerdalen and Johannes Duerr [both finished in the top 10 -ed.].

When I finally got a replacement I was by myself and had to work my way back to that group, or what’s left of it. I’m happy that I could get back on some of them and finish in the top 30, but somewhat upset as I felt very good and could have been way closer to a leaders,” Babikov told Trax.

“Ivan skied a really strong race after having some bad luck breaking his pole one kilometre in the race at a spot that is difficult to get too,” said Justin Wadsworth, head coach, Canadian Cross-Country Ski Team. “We are happy with where the guys are at and to have Alex on the podium again. I think he did a great job conserving energy for the final weekend, whereas Sundby worked pretty hard on his own today so it will be interesting to see what he has tomorrow.”

Harvey also won gold in the prologue race at the Tour opener in Oberhof, Germany, and a silver in the sprint race in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. With heavy snow and warm conditions projected for the 10-kilometre classic-ski race in Val di Fiemme, Italy on Saturday, recovery will be critical for the final two stages.

“They are expecting like 35 centimetres of snow tomorrow so those are pretty much the worst conditions possible for a classic race, which could be a nightmare,” added Harvey. “Guys will have to make the right equipment choices and the toughest guys will survive.”

Harvey will make a decision following Saturday’s race if he will hit the start line for the final punishing nine-kilometre hill climb up Alpe Cermis – a race that throws tactics out the window – forcing man against hill with pitches nearing 30 per cent grade.

While Harvey has completed the climb in the past, a health condition may prevent him from competing to protect his left leg. The steep climb wreaks havoc with an artery in his leg. Lifting the leg going up the alpine ski hill forces the hip flexor to buldge, which impedes blood flow.

With files from CCC.

Results

1. Martin Sundby (NOR) 1:20:18.7
2. Petter Northug (NOR) 1:21:16.9
3. Alex Harvey (CAN) 1:21:17.4

23. Devon Kershaw (CAN) 1:23:24.0
27. Noah Hoffman (USA) 1:23:24.9
28. Ivan Babikov (CAN) 1:23:25.0
DNS Simeon Hamilton (USA)
DNS Andy Newell (USA)

Full results here.
Men’s 35km FR times here.
TdS Overall here.