All 2012 FIS World Cup Finals coverage is brought to you through the generous support of Fischer Sports USA, proud sponsors of Kikkan Randall, 2012 overall Sprint Cup Champion.
FALUN, Sweden – As the World Cup season came to a close with the freestyle pursuit on Sunday at the World Cup Finals there was movement in all directions to witness; all the racers went up and down the Mördarbacken three times, several racers made big moves forward through the field, while others went the other way and the Canadian men took advantage of an ‘open’ course to go left and right as needed.
Kershaw, all smiles after a ver successful World Cup Finals.
Team Canada, like brothers. World Cup Finals Falun, Sweden. men’s 15 k freestyle pursuit
Dario Cologna (SUI), salutes the crowd.
Cologna and Hellner, all smiles.
Roenning congratuales Dyrhaug on his podium.
Harvey and Sundby worked hard.
Cologna acknowledges Kershaw’s effort.
Harvey, with the second fastest time of the day, crosses in sixth place.
After two days in fourth, Dyrhaug finally gets on the podium.
Pure excitement
Devon Kershaw (CAN) after finishing the 15 k freestyle pursuit at World Cup Finals in Falun, Sweden in 2012.
Getting it done.
Those dogs in the background couldn’t catch this old fox.
Almost there…
Cologna gave his fans something to chear about.
Success
Cologna enjoyed a relaxing ski down the homestretch.
Hiroyuki Miyazawa (JPN)
Petr Sedov (RUS)
Dryhaug maintaining contact with the chase pack.
Alex Harvey leading Norway’s Niklas Dyrhaug in the men’s 15 k freestyle pursuit at World Cup Finals on March 18 in Falun, Sweden. Harvey ended up second to Petr Sedov of Russia and Dyrhaug was ninth.
Sundby did a lot of work at the front of the chase pack.
Sundby, Harvey and Dyrhaug following.
Newell battles with Paal Goldberg (NOR) for a top thirty position.
By the time the women’s race had started the FIS had added v-board that was not there for the men’s race.
Canada’s Head Coach Justin Wadsworth was giving out splits during the men’s 15 k freestyle pursuit at the World Cup Finals in March in Falun, Sweden.
The trio traded leads throughout the race.
Kevin Sandau (CAN) quickly joined forces with Fabio Pasini (ITA) and Eirik Brandsdal (NOR).
Roland Clara pulling the chase pack up the Mördarbacken.
Three out front, soon to be two, and a big chase pack hunting them down.
Valjas gets encouragement from Wadsworth with the chase pack closing in.
Perspective changes quickly, but Valjas skied above even his dreams at the World Cup Finals.
Kershaw on his way to one of his best skate races ever.
Getting it done on the Mördarbacken.
Justin Wadsworth giving splits to Canada’s Devon Kershaw at World Cup Finals in Falun, Sweden, in 2012. Wadsworth will move into a newly-formed head coaching role with Cross Country Canada.
Cologna skiing big on the Mördarbacken.
Kershaw giving Valjas a ride up the mini-Mördarbacken 15km freestyle pursuit, 2012
Kershaw looking for fast snow.
Kershaw went back went back and forth depeding more on the snow than the line.
Canada’s Head Coach Justin Wadsworth had doublechecked with the race jury before the start.
A new FIS rule this year allows skiers to cross pine boughs, but not v-board. The Canadian men took advantage of that rule which led to some cofusion from other coaches and teams.
Sunby working at the front of the chase pack.
The chase pack heads up the Mördarbacken.
Sundby and the chase pack head up the Mördarbacken.
Niklas Dyrhaug (NOR)
Kershaw leading Valjas up the Mördarbacken.
Canada’s Head Coach Justin Wadsworth encourages Valjas to hang tough.
Team Canada
Kersaw with Valjas just behind.
Cologna heads up the Mördarbacken.
Dmitriy Japarov (RUS, bib 25) and David Hofer (ITA, bib 24)
Andy Newell (USA) had some fast skaters starting around him.
Maurice Manificat of France competing in the 15 k pursuit at World Cup Finals in Falun, Sweden, in March.
Tobias Angerer (GER)
Kershaw had some ground to make up on Valjas.
Kershaw charged out of the start gate.
Lenny Valjas (CAN) stayed relay early, ‘waiting’ for his teammate Devon Kershaw (CAN) who started right after him.
Lenny Valjas (CAN) heading out on course.
Dario Cologna (SUI) getting things started for the men in the 15km freestyle pursuit.
