Norway’s Sundby wins Ski Tour Canada’s skiathlon, Alex Harvey seventh

CANMORE, Alta. – Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby won the Ski Tour Canada’s 30-kilometre skiathlon Wednesday at the Canmore Nordic Centre, while Canada’s Alex Harvey was seventh and regained an overall ranking of fourth on the tour.

The skiathlon was the sixth of eight races in the Ski Tour Canada which concludes the 2015-16 World Cup season. The men switched from classic to skate skis midway through Wednesday’s race.

Russia’s Sergey Ustiugov was second just 2.8 seconds back of Sundby to retain the overall leader’s bib. Matti Heikkinen of Finland placed third. Harvey finished 7.8 seconds back of Sundby in seventh.

The 27-year-old from Saint-Ferreol-Les-Neiges, Que., had slipped from fourth overall to fifth when he was eliminated in the quarter-final of Tuesday’s sprint. Harvey won a silver medal and was fourth in a pair of Quebec City races last week.

“It was a tough day especially in the skate,” Harvey said. “We were pushing hard from beginning and that’s how I wanted it.

“I think I’m too far back for the top-three, but they can always have a really bad day. My focus will be on staying in the top-five in the final two stages.”

Norway’s Petter Northaug Jr. placed 11th on Wednesday and remained second in the overall rankings, 47.3 seconds back of Ustiugov. Not only did Sundby jump from fourth to third, but put considerable time distance on Harvey, who is 1:47 behind him.

Norway’s Emil Iversen dropped from third to fifth finishing 17th Wednesday. Ivan Babikov of Canmore placed 10th in the skiathlon.

“Everything just came together today. The skis and the body were both really good. I’m super happy,” said Babikov. “I know this course like the back of my hand. I train here every day in the winter and summer so I’m super happy with the effort.”

The Ski Tour Canada concludes with Friday’s interval start and Saturday’s pursuit.

Norway’s Heidi Weng won the women’s 15k skiathlon and remained tour’s overall women’s leader. She edged teammate Therese Johaug by less than a second Wednesday.

Their countrywoman Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen was third. Johaug and Jacobsen also rank second and third among women in the Ski Tour Canada.