Hall of Famer

Pierre Harvey

Affiliated Discipline(s): Cross-country
Hometown: Rimouski, Que. / St-Lambert, Que.
Active Career Period: 1980 - 1989
Induction CSHF: 1992
Induction Category: Cross-Country
Pierre Harvey. CSHFM Collection.

In March, 1987, Pierre Harvey made sporting history when he became the first Canadian competitor ever to win an international cross-country event, a 30km freestyle World Cup race at Falun, Sweden. He went on to win a further 3-medals in World Cup competition in 1987 and 1988 before retiring in 1989.

His career spanned a 9-year period beginning in 1980 when, in his first appearance at the Canadian National Championships in February/March, he showed his potential when he placed in the top 3 in four events: 15 kms (2nd place), 30 kms (3rd place), 50 kms (2nd
place), and the 3 x 10 km relay event (2nd place).

In 1988, he was made a Member of the Order of Canada and received a Sport Excellence Award at The Tribute to the Champions in 1987. Before embarking on a career in crosscountry skier, he was an elite cyclist who retired from international competition in June, 1980. He placed 24th in the road race at the 1976 Olympic summer Games, Montreal, Quebec, 2nd in the road race at the 1978 Commonwealth Games and 14th in the 100 km time trial at the 1984 Olympic summer Games, Los Angeles, California.

In January 1986, be became the first cross-country skier to win all four events for men at the Canadian National Championships: 30 km Classic, 15 km Classic, 3 x 10 km Freestyle, and 50 km Freestyle.

Career Highlights

North American results
Canadian National Championships
15 kms: 7-gold 1-silver
30 kms: 5-gold 1-silver 1-bronze
50 kms: 3-gold 2-silver 1-bronze
25.5 kms: 1-gold
Relay: 5-gold 1-silver

North American Championships
15 kms: 2-gold 1-silver 1-bronze
30 kms: 2-gold 3-silver
Relay 1-gold 1-silver

World Cup events (50 in total)
1987
Falun, Sweden gold medal 30 km freestyle
Castlerotto, Italy bronze medal 30 km freestyle
World Cup final standings 7th place

1988
Falun, Sweden gold medal 30 km classic
Oslo, Norway gold medal 50 km classic
World Cup final standings 6th place

Olympic Games appearances
1984
Olympic Games, Sarajevo, Jugoslavia. 15, 30 & 50 km events

1988
Olympic Games, Calgary, Alberta. 15 km Classic, 30 km Classic, 4 x 10 km Freestyle, 50 km Freestyle events

 

Please Note: The ski information gathered here is compiled from a number of sources; it may not be inclusive of all accomplishments.
Copyright © 2021, Canadian Ski Museum. For Personal/Educational use only. All Rights Reserved.

Pierre Harvey at Festival Centre at Canmore Nordic Centre during 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, AB. CSHFM Collection / Dennis Adkin.

Pierre Harvey cross-country skiing
Pierre Harvey. CSHFM Collection.
Participating in 30 km classic cross country event at 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, AB
Participating in 30 km classic cross country event at 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, AB. CSHFM Collection / Dennis Adkin.
Participating in 30 km classic cross country event at 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, AB
Participating in 30 km classic cross country event at 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, AB. CSHFM Collection / Dennis Adkin.

Pierre Harvey. CSHFM Collection.

Pierre Harvey. CSHFM Collection.

Pierre Harvey finishing in 4th place at a 1981 World Cup Cross Country event
Pierre Harvey finishing in 4th place at a 1981 World Cup Cross Country event. CSHFM Collection.
National Olympic Cross Country Ski Team 1984
National Olympic Cross Country Ski Team 1984 [top row]: Sharon Firth, Shirley Firth [bottom row]: Pierre Harvey, Angela Schmidt. Canadian Ski Association.
Inductee Pierre Harvey at 1992 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
Inductee Pierre Harvey at 1992 Canadian Ski Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. CSHFM Collection.

Canada Games Hall of Honour Inductee: Pierre Harvey

1985 Men's 30K World Cup - Biwabik, Minnesota Part1

The early days of skating, Gunde Svan, Bill Koch, Audun Endestad, Pierre Harvey, Vladmir Smirnov and many other great stars of the 80's. This is Part 1 of the video

Pierre Harvey, a passion for cross-country skiing | Radio-Canada Sports

Inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame in 2014, Pierre Harvey made an impression with his performances in cycling and cross-country skiing. He is also the very first Canadian athlete to win points in the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup.

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