After breaking a pole early in the 35 k Cortina to Toblach pursuit, Canadian Ivan Babikov was still able to move up the rankings in the Tour de Ski.
Babikov broke the pole just a kilometer into the race, and was forced to ski a solid 4 k before picking up a replacement from a Swedish technician at the first aid station.
In most World Cup races, held on relatively short loops close to the stadium, a broken pole is usually replaced in seconds. The Cortina to Tobalch race is unique, and skiers head out into the woods, all alone for kilometers at a time.
Babikov told FasterSkier that his goal was to pick off as many spots as possible as he gears up for the Final Climb. He was feeling good, but ended up by himself on a gradual course that favors pack skiing.
He still moved up four places, climbing from 32nd to 28th in the overall standings, helped in large part by a dozen skiers dropping from the Tour prior to the race.
“Ivan skied a really strong race after having some bad luck breaking his pole one kilometer in the race at a spot that is difficult to get too,” Canadian Head Coach Justin Wadsworth said in a Cross-Country Canada press release.