Ivan Babikov

A native of Russia, Babikov only recently received his Canadian citizenship, though he has been racing in the U.S. and Canada for a number of years. Excelling in distance races, Babikov won every North American distance race that he entered in the 2007-08 season, with the exception of one 2nd place finish. In the 2009 Tour de Ski he took gold in the 10km pursuit. Babikov will be racing this weekend in Beitostollen, and continuing until Christmas, which he will spend with his family. He will then return to the World Cup and race through the end of the Tour de Ski. The race he may be most focused on is the 15km skate, which he has said is the race he feels most comfortable and confident about.