Canada’s Alex Harvey skis to silver in second World Cup of season

KUUSAMO, Finland – Canada’s Alex Harvey set a lofty goal for this season: to win the overall World Cup title.

The 27-year-old from Saint Ferreol les Neiges, Que., clearly means business as he raced to a silver medal Saturday in the second race of the World Cup season. Defending overall champion Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway won the men’s 10-kilometre freestyle event, beating Harvey by 11.2 seconds.

“It feels great. This is my first World Cup podium before Christmas so it is a big step for me,” Harvey said. “Kuusamo has been a hard place for me to race with the steep uphills and now it is better for me in skate-skiing thanks to the surgery.”

Harvey had surgery to correct a compressed artery that restricted blood flow in both of his legs, a condition that limited his ability while skate-skiing up steep climbs.

“Today is a good sign of my recovery following that surgery,” Harvey said. “It is nice to see the surgery paid off. My target this year is to win the overall title. I didn’t necessarily believe that I could do that in the past, but I do believe I have a shot at that title this year.”

Harvey now has 10 World Cup, six Tour de Ski, and four world championship medals.

Dario Cologna of Switzerland was third in 21:17.1. Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., was 24th.

Sundby will carry a 25-second lead over Harvey into Sunday’s 15-kilometre pursuit race. Harvey will start sixth based on time behind the leader after the opening two days.

“It’s going to be a big fight,” Harvey said. “We will have to see how we wake up in the morning. We all have had two days of racing. I’ll ski as hard as I can tomorrow, and hopefully get off to a good race.”

Therese Johaug dominated the women’s 5K race, leading from the start to finish in 11:23.8, beating Swedish rival Charlotte Kalla by 17.6 seconds. Sweden’s Ida Ingemarsdotter was third, in 11:49.2.