26 janvier 2012

Haywood RACE Report: Alex Harvey 4th in Otepaa

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By CCC - It was -6 deg. C. and cloudy as the racers began sprint qualifying in Estonia today. Canada had 3 women and 3 men entered as Alex Harvey and Devon Kershaw returned to the World Cup to join the "sprinters".

Dasha Gaiazova was the top Canadian qualifier on the women's side, showing why it is her most favourite event, with a 13th place result behind Marit Bjoergen of Norway who set the standard. Chandra Crawford and Perianne Jones were racing again after their World Cup team sprint medal in Italy, and Chandra finished 23rd, while Perianne missed qualifying by placing 39th.

On the men's side Alex Harvey was the top qualifier in 5th, as Dario Cologna showed no signs of fatique from his Tour de Ski win, with the top qualifying time, over 4 seconds faster than 2nd place skier Gleb Retivykh.

Len Valjas was 15th in qualifying and Devon Kershaw broke a pole ending up 40th and missing the quarter finals. Devon Kershaw: "Qualifier today in Estonia for me? Broken pole/broken dreams" It will be interesting to see how Devon bounces back for tomorrow, in what can be considered his best race, a 15k classic.

Qualifying saw a number of skiers double poling the whole course which seemed to be the main choice for the men.