Canadians earned a pair of cross-country podium finishes Sunday at the inaugural Tour de Ski event in Munich.

Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., finished second in the men's sprint, while Olympic gold medallist Chandra Crawford of Canmore, Alta., crossed the line third in the women's race.

Canadian Chandra Crawford, right, earned her first cross-country skiing podium Sunday at the Tour de Ski event in Munich.
(Uwe Lein/Associated Press)

The results proved rewarding for Kershaw and Crawford, who were the only Canadian skiers to remain in Europe during the holidays.

"This is absolutely incredible and it means the world to us," Kershaw said following the medal ceremony.

"This is the goal — to have more than one Canadian on the podium each time we prepare for a race, and to see it come through today is awesome. The team is so jacked right now."

The event is new to cross-country skiing and is designed to duplicate cycling's Tour de France. The world's top cross-country skiers race six times in eight days and compete for a nearly $1-million US purse.

Switzerland's Christoph Eigenmann won the men's race with Kershaw finishing second and Roddy Darragon of France following in third.

Kershaw felt anxious before the race, but a consultation with a sports psychologist and head coach Dave Wood helped relax him.

"They just told me to look back at the success I've had in the past and I have no reason to be anxious," said the 24-year-old Kershaw.

"I think I've learned how to race against these guys. The sprints rough you up a bit, and the top athletes don't respect you if they don't know who you are, and it is better knowing that going in."

Crawford, who won gold in the sprint at last February's Torino Winter Olympics, earned her first podium finish of the season.

"This feels good for sure to be back on the podium after a difficult start to the season," she said. "I think this race gives me some more confidence, but more importantly, I know that I have a lot of work still to do to be at the level with the best."

Norway's Marit Bjoergen won the women's event while Italy's Arianna Follis took second.

With files from the Canadian Press