CROSS-COUNTRY:

Canada's Harvey 17th in Kuusamo XC classic 10 km

Nov. 27, 2010  — Cross Country Canada

KUUSAMO, Finland — Canada’s Alex Harvey battled through bitter cold to finish 17th in a World Cup cross-country ski race in Kuusamo, Finland, on Saturday.

The 22-year-old Harvey, of St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., who has been the top Canadian in the early season, clocked a time of 24 minutes, 8.4 seconds (24:08.4) in the 10-kilometre classic ski race, which is part of mini-tour competition that will wrap up in Finland on Sunday.

“It was really cold today and my toes were so frozen I couldn’t feel my feet,” said Harvey, who made his Olympic debut in 2010. “Usually I am conservative at the start, but I switched things up today and tried to go hard and stay with the top five. I paid the price in the last five kilometres, but I am still happy that I can contend with the best right off the gun. I know I’m far from my top shape, so this is a good sign.”

Sunday, Harvey will start nearly 22 seconds back of the leaders in the mini-tour.

“I’m currently in fourth overall in the mini-tour so I’m excited for tomorrow,” said Harvey. “It is a pursuit tomorrow so I’ll be doing everything to chase the guys in front of me and stay ahead of those behind.”

Devon Kershaw will also be in the hunt for the podium in Sunday’s final race. The two-time Olympian posted another solid result in a deep field, finishing 22nd with a time of 24:13.6.

Switzerland’s Dario Cologna set the time to beat on Saturday at 23:24.8. Russia’s Alexander Legkov grabbed the silver with a time of 23:31.5, while Sweden’s Daniel Rickardsson was third at 23:32.3.

Daria Gaiazova, of Banff, Alta., finished as the top Canuck in the women’s five-kilometre race with a time of 14:12.2. Marit Bjoergen won her second straight gold medal in as many days after stopping the clock at 12:51.9.

Five other Canadians also suited up on Saturday. Calgary’s Brent McMurtry was 69th (25:04.2); Stefan Kuhn was 71st (25:06.6); George Grey was 79th (25:15.3); and Ivan Babikov was 83rd at 25:20.3. Chandra Crawford was the only other Canadian in the women’s field and finished 67th at 14:33.7. S-Magazine

Kuusamo World Cup classic race

Top-5 Men and Canadian Results:
1. Dario Colgna, SUI< 23:24.8; 2. Alexander Legkov, RUS, 23:31.5; 3. Daniel Rickardsson, SWE, 23:32.3; 4. Eldar Roenning, NOR, 23:37.2; 5. Axel Teichmann, GER, 23:42.8.
Canadian Results:
17. Alex Harvey, St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que., 24:08.4; 22. Devon Kershaw, Sudbury, Ont., 24:13.6; 69. Brent McMurtry, Calgary, 25:04.2; 71. Stefan Kuhn, Canmore, Alta., 25:06.6; 79. George Grey, Rossland, B.C., 25:15.3; 83. Ivan Babikov, Canmore, Alta., 25:20.3.
 
Top-5 Women and Canadian Results:
1. Marit Bjoergen, NOR, 12:51.9; 2. Justyna Kowalczyk, POL, 12:54.0; 3. Petra Majdic, SLO, 13:08.7; 4. Yulia Tchekaleva, RUS, 13:11.9; 5. Nicole Fessel, GER, 13:14.4
Canadian Results:
45. Daria Gaiazova, Banff, Alta., 14:12.2; 67. Chandra Crawford, Canmore, Alta., 14:33.7