KUUSAMO, Finland — Eirik Brandsdal led a Norwegian trio to victory in the men’s sprint at the World Cup cross-country skiing opener on Saturday.
He was followed by Petter Northug and Sondre Turvoll Fossli, while another Norwegian, Finn Haagen Krogh, was fourth.
Canadian Alex Harvey, of Saint-Ferreol les Neiges, Que., finished in 14th place.
The 26-year-old was the lone Canadian to earn a spot in the head-to-head heats with the top-30 qualifiers after posting the 17th fastest time, but was unable to advance past the opening round after finishing third in his heat.
"Alex showed today he is in great shape, but I think we just need more races at this time," said Tor Arne Hetland, the new World Cup coach for Cross Country Ski de Fond Canada. "We need to ski a little faster. The other nations were a little better today, but we need to be patient."
Norway also saw success in the women’s sprint as the versatile Marit Bjorgen took her 67th World Cup race victory.
The 34- year-old Bjorgen held off Slovenia’s Katja Visnar while Majken Caspersen Falla, the Norwegian Olympic sprint winner, was third.
"I am grateful for the win today, really happy as we Norwegian girls had very good skis and speed," Bjorgen said. "I have always have been good on these tracks … I’m looking forward to the 10K (on Sunday)."