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Cross Country Canada – FALUN, Swe. — Alex Harvey rediscovered his magic at the final race of the season where he celebrated his fourth podium of the year, winning the silver medal at cross-coutnry skiing’s World Cup Finals on Sunday in Falun, Sweden.

Struggling to find his elite form after a heart-breaking Olympics that ended with the 29-year-old crushed in fourth-place at the finish line of the 50-kilometre classic-ski race, Harvey was flashing is ear-to-ear smile after clocking a second-place time of 35:50.4 in the 15-kilometre skate-ski race.

“I like these end of season tours. To finish on the podium at World Cup Finals two years in a row is great,” said Harvey following the three-race final weekend. “They are hard though, and I’m tired.”

Starting in 18th spot – based on time behind the leaders of the first two races – the St-Ferréol-les-Neiges, Que. product, steadily worked his way up to the lead pack on a course he has had success at throughout his illustrious career.

“It took some effort to get up to the leaders, but I still felt strong and knew I needed to go for it coming into the final kilometre,” said Harvey.

With Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov running away with the title (35:03.3), Harvey showcased his shape and grit while digging deep to take on the World Cup heavyweights in a sprint finish for the final two spots on the podium.

The Canadian edged Switzerland’s Dario Cologna at the line to take the second spot on the podium by .4 seconds. Cologna settled for the bronze at 35:50.8.

“It was a great way to finish off the season,” said Harvey. “I had very, very good skis today. This helped me a lot since I’ve been feeling quite tired the last couple of weeks after getting sick following the Olympic Games. It finally feels like I got my legs back today, and I couldn’t be happier.”

Harvey has had a great deal of success in Falun where he now has five World Cup medals in his career. His first World Cup victory came in Falun in 2012 when he won a gold and bronze at those World Cup Finals. Sunday’s silver brings his career total to three, second-place finishes in the pursuit race on the Swedish tracks.

It is the same venue where his father, Pierre, also won his first of three World Cup medals in 1987.

“Falun just seems to be a great place for me,” said Harvey, who now has 28 career podium finishes on the World Cup, along with five World Championship medals.

“I think a lot of it is because we always come here at the end of the season and that is usually where I perform at my best. The courses here are great for me as well, and crowds are usually quite big which gives me extra motivation.”

Harvey finished the season fourth in the overall World Cup standings. 

Devon Kershaw, of Sudbury, Ont., also squeaked into the top-30. The four-time Olympian posted a 28th-place time of 37:25.2.

Emily Nishikawa, of Whitehorse, was the top Canadian woman in 35th at 24:45.0 in the 10-kilometre skate-ski race. Cendrine Browne, of St-Jérôme, Que., placed 37th (24:45.1).

Complete Men’s Results:  http://bit.ly/2HJWPGS

Complete Women’s Results: http://bit.ly/2FQWzWg

CCC is the governing body of cross-country skiing in Canada, which is the nation’s optimal winter sport and recreational activity with more than one million Canadians participating annually. Its 60,000 members include athletes, coaches, officials and skiers of all ages and abilities, including those on Canada’s National Ski Teams and Para-Nordic Ski Teams. With the support of its valued corporate partners – Haywood Securities Inc., AltaGas, Mackenzie Investments, Swix and Lanctôt Sports– along with the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Canadian Paralympic Committee, Own the Podium and B2Ten, CCC develops Olympic, Paralympic and world champions. For more information on CCC, please visit us at www.cccski.com.

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Chris Dornan

Media and Public Relations

Cross Country Canada

T: 403-620-8731