The 35-kilometre cross-country ski race between Cortina and Toblach, Italy is unlike any on the World Cup circuit.
The white ribbon weaves through dramatic Dolomite mountain peaks, climbing to 1,254 metres mostly on natural snow, and cuts deep into a rockface, forcing skiers through tunnels in the side of the mountain.
It’s also Devon Kershaw’s ominous leviathan – the biggest obstacle separating the Canadian from a top 10 finish on the Tour de Ski.
“That’s my white whale,” Kershaw said.
After five races, Kershaw sits in fourth place overall in the Tour de Ski rankings, posting a string of consistent top 15 results. His latest race, the sprint in Toblach which he won last year, saw him finish 13th, after he was knocked out by teammate Alex Harvey, who finished sixth.
Patterned after the Tour de France, the Tour de Ski combines a punishing nine races over 11 days in three countries. It attracts the top 93 racers in the world and this season, in absence of the Olympics and World Championships, it is considered the ultimate test on the circuit. Skiers must excel at sprints, mid distance and long distance races.
Last year, Kershaw sat in second place after the first four races. This year, some bad luck has him a little farther back, but still in striking distance of the podium.
However, Cortina to Toblach looms.
“I’d like to be a bit better. I was in a better position last year, but every race there are different guys in the top 10,” Kershaw said.
The tour was Kershaw’s focal point from the beginning of the season, and he appears to be in peak shape
“Body-wise, I feel great. It’s not quite as good as last year, my goal is to hit the podium, but there is still half a season left,” Kershaw said.
He’ll have to stay ahead of skiers like Dario Cologna and Petter Northug, who currently lead the way on the tour.
Kershaw and phenom Alex Harvey stuck together for many of the races, however, Harvey slipped out of the top 10 into 15th spot. Kershaw is still in the hunt however, with results ranging from 15th to sixth in variable conditions.
“Conditions play a huge factor,” Kershaw said.
After he and Harvey tore it up on the Tour last year, he says there could be a chance teams are keeping a closer eye on the Canadians. Kershaw was boxed out in the second Tour de Ski race, as his competitors are leary of his explosive power.
“Every year we are more marked, but everyone in the top 10 is marked. There are still four races to go and we’ve made some changes,” Kershaw said, who is currently ranked ninth in the World Cup points race.
Canmore’s Ivan Babikov was also having his best Tour de Ski performance in years until he fell in the last 300 metres of the 20 km race in Oberstdorf. He was sitting in ninth at the time of the crash, but finished 31st and may have fractured his wrist.
“I was right there with Devon and Alex, but got too cocky and went too wide in soft conditions. Next thing, I’m flying headfirst into the snow. It was tough.”
He tried to come back the next day, but finished 73rd and was bothered by his wrist the entire race.
“Today was a bad race. I couldn’t really push because I was pretty sore. After the crash I had to run to the hospital the next day, but nothing was broken. It could be a crack or a fracture, so not that bad.”
Babikov thrives on distance races, so he hopes he’s at 95 per cent before the Cortina race. He’s happy to leave Germany, where he’s had terrible luck.
“Last year in Oberhof I had bad luck and lost a ski. This year, I crash. Me and Germany, there’s something wrong there.”
Both racers spent the holiday season in Europe, however, Babikov will return to Canmore in January.
Hopefully it’s with a medal.
“You can’t really be satisfied if you’re not winning.”
