1988 Olympics, Calgary, Canada
Canada was once again represented by a full team in 1988, with the races being held a 1 hour drive west of Calgary in the picturesque community of Canmore. The newly developed Canmore Nordic Centre hosted the athletes as Canadians posted Best Ever finishes in a number of events. This was also the first Olympics for skating events, as the relays, and long distance events were classified as free technique.
Rimouski’s Pierre Harvey set new standards in the 15 km (17th), and the 30 km (14th) with the Soviet’s Mikhail Deviatiarov, and 1997 Worlds 30km Gold Medallist Alexi Prokourorov capturing the respective titles.
The Mens relay of Yves Bilodeau, Al Pilcher, Pierre Harvey and Dennis Lawrence had a new Best Ever placing of 9th in the 4 X 10 km event captured by the Swedes with a “Hall of Fame” line up of multi medallists at the World level including Thomas Wassberg, Gunde Svan, Torgny Mogren and Jan Ottosson. The other Canadian men entered were Wayne Dustin, who skied the 30 and 50 km events and Alain Masson who raced only the 50km that was won by Swedish Superstar Gunde Svan.
On the Women’s side Manitoba’s Lorna Daudrich tied a best ever result with a 26th place finish in the 5km for the best result from the Women’s team, an event won by Finland’s Marjo Matikainen, who added a relay and 10km bronze to her total. The 10km was won by USSR’s/Lithuania’s Vida Ventsene with Lorna Daudrich finishing once again as the top Canadian in 30th place. Marie-Andree Masson from Laval,Quebec, Carol Gibson Camrose Alberta, and Angela Schmidt-Foster from Midland Ontario joined Lorna in the 4 X 5 km relay finishing in 9th position, a race won by almost 2 minutes by the Soviet team. The fifth team member was Jean McAllister from Ottawa, Ontario represented Canada in the 5km, with a 46th place and a strong 32nd place finish in the 20km skating event.
After the events Pierre Harvey went on to win the next two World Cups, in Falun, Sweden; and in Oslo, Norway; to cap a brilliant career as a fine ambassador for the sport in Canada and the World.
Complete Canadian Results
| Women | 10km | 5km | 20km |
| Lorna Daudrich | 30th | 26th | |
| Carol Gibson | 33rd | 33rd | 27th |
| Marie-Andree Masson | 37th | 28th | |
| Angela Schmidt-Foster | 38th | 32nd | 45th |
| Jean McAllister | 46th | 32nd |
| Men | 30km | 15km | 20km |
| Pierre Harvey | 14th | 17th | 21st |
| Yves Bilodeau | 35th | 34th | |
| Al Pilcher | 39th | 46th | |
| Wayne Dustin | 46th | 49th | |
| Dennis Lawrence | 47th | 43rd | |
| Alain Masson | 46th |