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A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DEVON
BACKGROUND
- Devon grew up in the Northern Ontario city of Sudbury, Ontario. His father (Will) and mother (Maureen) were instrumental in developing and nurturing a love of the natural environment and active lifestyle – both of which remain cornerstones of his life today.
- Devon is the eldest of three children (sister Linnaea is a journalism student in Vancouver and brother Sean an Art History student in Montreal), and was a serious sports enthusiast growing up – playing hockey, volleyball, badminton, tennis, and running competitively in his “formative” years.
- Skiing for Laurentian Nordic as a young skier in Sudbury, he participated in 3 World Junior Championships (2000, 2001, 2002) and won 18 National Junior Medals. As a senior racer he moved West to Canmore, Alberta, home of Canada’s National Ski Team, to pursue his athletic dreams and pursuits.
- Since settling into the mountain playground of the Canadian Rockies and under the watchful eye of the Canadian National Team, Devon has developed into one of Canada’s best male cross-country skiers ever.
- Devon made a name for himself internationally as a talented and explosive sprinter and in 2006 became the first Canadian male to achieve a podium result in a sprint event with a bronze medal performance in Borlange, Sweden. In doing so he became only the 2nd Canadian male ever to podium on the World Cup, joining the great Pierre Harvey who won two World Cups in 1988. This groundbreaking result helped pave the way for Canada’s men – who now are regular contenders internationally.
- A leader on and off the ski tracks, over the last few seasons Devon has developed into an international contender in all cross-country disciplines, adding a silver medal (Sprint, Munich 2006), and another bronze (15km Classic, Oberhof 2009) to his World Cup palmares, and along with his National Team teammates helped develop Canada’s best-ever men’s team.
- In addition to being a 2006 Olympian Devon has competed in four World Ski Championships achieving historic results such as a 6th place finish in the Team Sprint alongside teammate George Grey (Obertsdorf 2005) and another 6th place finish in the same event with Drew Goldsack (Sapporo 2007). Most recently, Devon teamed up with Alex Harvey, Ivan Babikov and George Grey to deliver a best ever 5th place for Canada in the 4x10km relay (Liberec, 2009).
- An excitable person on and off the ski trails, he stays busy playing in the mountains, sipping cappuccinos with friends, and (attempting) playing guitar. Beyond skiing Devon plans to return to school to pursue a degree in medicine, with the eventual goal of becoming doctor specializing in sports medicine
Most Emotional Sports Performance: In 2005, one week before the 2005 World Championships I qualified for my first 2006 Winter Olympic Games (with a 25th place in a classic sprint World Cup in Reit Im Winkle, Germany). I remember cooling down after the race, almost unable to believe that a life long goal (racing for Canada at the Olympic Games) was achieved. I’ll never forget it (not even the German cold rain that was pouring down on me!)
Favorite Music: I listen to a wide variety of music, but favorites include: Neil Young, Wilco, Beck, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Radiohead, Ratatat, White Stripes, Grizzly Bear, Band of Horses, Cat Power... Too many to mention here - I love music and it's a huge part of my life.
Favorite Food: Italian without question. Simple, fresh, amazing. I also hammer back the fresh fruits and veggies. I’ve overheard my friends describe me as an apple snob, as well as a bread snob (I love fresh, baked bread!). Also, a big vice of mine is my mom’s baking. The cinnamon buns and pies she makes are ridiculously good!
Hobbies: Most other sports, cooking, reading, playing guitar, fly fishing, bantering, solving the World’s problems and wasting time like a “New York oldtimer” with my friends at cafés and spending time in the mountains.
Favorite Books: I am always reading something, and seem to enjoy most of what I read. Off the top of my head, some that stick out in my mind are: A Fine Balance, Endurance (Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage), Once a Runner, Atlas Shrugged, anything by Ian MacEwan or John Steinbeck (especially East of Eden).
Favorite Quote: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters when compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bad Habits: I can be pretty impulsive. I don’t always think before I speak – therefore there are many times (which my friends tend to enjoy at my expense) in the past when I’ve been known to put my foot in my mouth.
Favorite Stop on the World Cup: Canmore, Alberta. The crew (Alberta World Cup Society) puts on a great show here and I love the trails, community, and vibe at our “home” races.
Favorite Vacation Spot: So far, I’d have to say Kaua’i, Hawai’i. The Kalalau trail (16.7km long hiking trail along the Na Pali Coastline) is both beautiful and surreal and the camping spot on Kalalau Beach is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever been. That – and back country skiing anywhere in the Rockies. Assiniboine, Roger’s Pass, Wapta Icefields – I am lucky enough to live in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
FACT SHEET
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Name: Luke Devon Kershaw
Nicknames: Kersh, Dev
Residence: Canmore, AB
Home Town: Sudbury, ON
Height: 177cm
Weight: 72kg
Birthday: 12/20/1982
Disciplines:
All Cross Country events (sprints, relays,
distance races)
Favorite Disciplines:
15km Classic, Team Sprint, 10km Classic (as
part of the 4X10km relay), Tour de Ski
Equipment:
Fischer (skis), Salomon (boots), Swix (poles), Oakley (eyewear)
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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS (International Top 10s)
2009/10
1st - 15km Skate Swedish Opening – Bruksvallarna, Sweden
9th - 15km Skate World Cup – Davos, Switzerland
10th - 15km Classic Pursuit, Tour de Ski Stage 2 – Oberhof, Germany
16th - 2010 Tour de Ski (Overall)
2008/09
3rd - 15km Classic Pursuit, Tour de Ski Stage 2 – Oberhof, Germany
5th - 3.75km Skate Prologue, Tour de Ski Stage 1 – Oberhof, Germany
5th - 15km Classic World Cup – Kuusamo, Finland
5th - 4X10km Relay World Ski Championships - Liberec, Czech Republic
7th - 50km Classic Mass Start World Cup – Trondheim, Norway
8th - 1.6km Classic Sprint World Cup – Whistler, Canada
9th - Team Sprint Classic World Ski Championships - Liberec, Czech Republic
2007/08
5th - 1.6km Skate Sprint World Cup - Lahti, Finland
8th - 1.6km Classic Sprint World Cup – Otepaa, Estonia
2006/07
2nd - 1.2km Skate Sprint, Tour de Ski Stage 1 – Munich, Germany
6th - Team Sprint Skate, World Ski Championships – Sapporo, Japan
2005/06
3rd - 1.5km Skate Sprint World Cup – Borlange, Sweden
7th - Team Sprint Skate World Cup – Sapporo, Japan
2004/05
6th - Team Sprint Skate, World Ski Championships – Oberstdorf, Germany
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