VERNON, B.C.—Canada’s Alex Harvey held off a hard-charging field of North America’s top young skiers to win the men’s 20-kilometer skate-skiing race at the Haywood NorAm Series at the Sovereign Lake Nordic Ski Club, near Vernon, B.C. on Thursday.
The 20-year-old Harvey, of St-Ferreol les Neiges, Que., posted the fastest time at 50 minutes 49.9 seconds in the men’s field of 69 athletes representing Canada and the United States.
It was the second victory of the season for the Canadian youngster, who is entering his rookie season on the World Cup team. Harvey also won the season-opener of the Teck Sprint Series last Saturday in British Columbia.
“Alex skied a strong race today and felt strong,†said Eric de Nys, head coach, National Development Team. “He put a surge on and made a break on the pack today. This is a good start for him and a confidence builder early in the season.â€
Winning is nothing new to Harvey who had a stellar junior career where he captured three medals at the World Junior Championships during his two seasons of racing as a junior.
While Harvey cleared nearly seven seconds of space between him and the next fastest athlete, Dave Nighbor, of North Bay, Ont., won the sprint to the finish to solidify second spot. Nighbor stopped the clock at 50:56.3. Graham Nishikawa, of Whitehorse, Yukon, also grabbed his second medal of the young season after finishing third (50:56.8). Chris Butler (CAN) and Frederic Touchette (CAN) were close behind in 4th and 5th respectively.
Noah Hoffman (USST) was the top Junior and the top American, finishing 6th. Hoffman was part of the pack the followed Harvey across the line and was 5 seconds out of second place. He was closely followed by James Southam (APUNSC/Atomic).
Brian Gregg (CXC Elite) took the next spot, 24 seconds behind Southam and edging Brent McMurtry (CAN) by two seconds. Garrott Kuzzy (CXC Elite/USST) rounded out the top ten.
Men's Nor-Am 20km Mass Start – Complete Results
Contributing Source: Cross-Country Canada
