Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[Libertine Seguros]

Definitely agree with you on both the English- and German-language commentary options. It's like Phil and Paul, great if you've never seen a race before, but they don't really add anything once you have enough knowledge to be able to tell what's going on without them.

 

[python]

How do you get NRK and/or SVT if you are not in Norway or Sweden? Some sort IP address change? I've never done an IP address change before, just because i felt it wasn't good for the system.

the question contains an answer, doesn't it... my attitude is that if a random restricted viewer uses a sense of proportion and responsibility, there wont be a reason for abuse or a harm done to the 'system'.

nrk for winter sports is king. no commercials, hd and plentiful video archives.

 

[Mr. Brooks]

Re: Re:

One great example is mentioning Heidi Weng and how she is the eternal '2nd or 3...' Well, that's true, but surely there is something more interesting about her than all the podiums she's gotten over the years while only having one win.

Like for instance that her race today was one of the best in her entire career. Worth mentioning.

nrk for winter sports is king. no commercials, hd and plentiful video archives.

That's true. I really do enjoy SVT's Vinterstudio as well though. I find their pre and après race comments and analysis really good, particularly with Johanna Ojala in the studio. SVT gives this much more time than NRK, probably because NRK has to leave room for showing Nordic Combined, ski jumping, speed skates etc. etc.

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Re:

I don't understand some people here didn't already mention that American tracks aren't very hard. When it was about Nove Mesto, some were quick to mention that tracks there are not that interesting (or even really dull). Same for some other tracks like Antholz, or Oestersund. Nobody ever mentioned the track are dull until in response to Nove Mesto. Special care for Nove Mesto, nice
Not to say that nobody mentioned how empty tribunes are.

It seems like they are going to invest into Soldier Hollow to bring this venue to the World Cup. I don't know how hard that course was, at least it would be an high altitude race at 1,8k.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

Conspiracy...lo. I only pointed out obvious, had no idea it was conspiracy

So you genuinely believe that everybody is desperately trying to disparage and discredit the achievements of the Czech Republic, and this is a transparent and genuine ploy?

And you're not patriotic, and get offended when people suggest it, but 90% of your comments are about Czech athletes and/or complaining that the Czechs don't get enough coverage and/or love, and you disappear from posting for weeks at a time only to reappear very quickly to rejoice in Czech triumphs or to put to rights those who say negative things about Czech favourites. I'm not the only one that's called you out, and others have rightly elected not to engage you in these discussions that I'm too stupid to avoid.

I've had enough of going round in circles telling you this over and over again, even though I know you're the kind of childish debater who will see any failure to engage in your petty back-and-forth as victory and vindication of your position. And I'm sure it's getting pretty tedious to everybody else to read us rinse and repeat all over again.

Lolz...I got a good laugh. At least you dont understand irony. Overall, one heck of a post You really act like a jerk. Youve already found reassurance in arms of python, the one who blamed me for not enough genuine interest for Norwegian guy
Edit: I realised now that you probably feel really sad or angry these days when Soukalova rules the biathlon, hence the frustration.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

I don't understand some people here didn't already mention that American tracks aren't very hard. When it was about Nove Mesto, some were quick to mention that tracks there are not that interesting (or even really dull). Same for some other tracks like Antholz, or Oestersund. Nobody ever mentioned the track are dull until in response to Nove Mesto. Special care for Nove Mesto, nice
Not to say that nobody mentioned how empty tribunes are.

It seems like they are going to invest into Soldier Hollow to bring this venue to the World Cup. I don't know how hard that course was, at least it would be an high altitude race at 1,8k.

There would be more fans? Anyway, for me it isnt about track profiles, its about racing.

 

[Kokoso]

@Libertine if its true and Soukalova seeks less media attention, certainly she isnt on her way to win as many fans as possible, is she?

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

@Libertine and when the competition is between Svendsen, JTB and Martin, it's more understandable people cheer for Martin then, for you too I think.

And how often has the competition included Svendsen lately? So far in 2016 it is Anton and Schempp aka "German Fourcade" who has been challenging Fourcade the most. Johannes is also way more likeable than Fourcade, but that's just my opinion.

I thought Svendsen was often at front till last shooting or so. You are right, generally, it isnt only about Svendsen, JTB, or Fourcade of course. When between Fourcade and Schempp, Im cheering for Fourcade too. With Shipulin I dont care. There are quite lots of athletes who Id wish win more then Fourcade, but they mostly dont take part in fight for win sadly.

 

[Cance > TheRest]

Re: Re:

@Libertine and when the competition is between Svendsen, JTB and Martin, it's more understandable people cheer for Martin then, for you too I think.

And how often has the competition included Svendsen lately? So far in 2016 it is Anton and Schempp aka "German Fourcade" who has been challenging Fourcade the most. Johannes is also way more likeable than Fourcade, but that's just my opinion.

I thought Svendsen was often at front till last shooting or so. You are right, generally, it isnt only about Svendsen, JTB, or Fourcade of course. When between Fourcade and Schempp, Im cheering for Fourcade too. With Shipulin I dont care. There are quite lots of athletes who Id wish win more then Fourcade, but they mostly dont take part in fight for win sadly.

Namely Moravec, Soukup, Šlesingr and Krčmář ?

 

[TomasC]

Re: Re:

Namely Moravec, Soukup, Šlesingr and Krčmář ?

I am not sure you will be forgiven that you didn't mention Adam Václavík

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Argh, Riiber, what have you done? I think that's called a "reverse Heidi"...

 

[BullsFan22]

So, a number of the top skiers won't be racing in the Lahti sprint tomorrow. Kriukov (winner in Stockholm), Ustiugov (winner in Falun), Newell, among others. I read in an interview with Kriukov after the sprint in Drammen, that he would weigh his options after Stockholm. He won, but looks like he opted out of racing in Lahti, and I am not sure that he'll go to Canada. Not sure if Ustiugov is just skipping the sprint or if he is just getting ready for Canada and saving some energy by not doing either of the Lahti races. Sticking with the Russians, we'll see if their sprinters can keep the ball rolling. Petukhov has had a rather poor season by his high standards, but he's usually had good races in Finland and it being skate tomorrow, I think he's got a good chance at making it to the semifinals, if not the finals. Panzhinskiy is mostly known for his classic skiing, but winning the qualification two straight sprints, means that he is probably in good form and he might surprise. Retivykh as well.

Norwegians will be a factor again, but I am more interested to see what they'll do in the skiathlon. That will be a good test to see if Sundby's form is dropping or not, heading to Canada.

Will Vylegzhanin, Ustiugov (if he races), Legkov, Belov continue the Russian build up to Canada?

Will Hellner and the other Swedes finally have good races?

Will there be some shockers in the women's races? I don't think there will be many, especially in the skiathlon, but it's always a welcoming sight when they do happen.

 

[python]

the lahti qualifiers just over...skipping the ladies, i'd say jylhae atop with almost 2 seconds (in 1.2 km) on a runner-up pellegrino isn't a shocker but an eyebrow riser, well, may be not considering he's on home snow...

i expected more french in the top 30 (remembering there were 3 in the final here last year), but fouund only 1 (jay). surprised manificat bothered with the sprint considering the tomorrow's race...the norges are all in (i think).

the russians passed 3, including petukhov who seems somewhat recovered...the swedes -4, but barely. both emils made it.

now the tactics in the finals, given the course relative difficulty and narrowness, will favour front runners in my view. still, it should be pelle's another straight win...

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I do wish that Nordic Combined had more of an audience and a stronger field, and I appreciate the attempts they've made to shake up the format of late (given that it's Gundersen, Gundersen, Gundersen for the most part) with things like the penalty race, which may not have been successful but was at least an interesting attempt. However, team events are always going to be a struggle when there are so few major nations as the limited field allowable to get the jumping phase done means a lot of people from minor nations can fail to qualify and not build up the experience possible for backmarkers in, say, XC and biathlon; the "doubles" event, like the team sprint, is a strange attempt at a compromise. I'm really not convinced by it. The other thing is that with them using a fair few small venues and the recent move to doing out-and-back cross-country courses beginning at the base of the jump in order to keep fans nearby meaning that some cross country courses are relatively easy, it does mean that when they go to the bigger venues with tougher løype, like Lahti, Lillehammer or Holmenkollen, some jumping-biased minor competitors struggle mightily. I remember watching Evgeny Klimov jump top 5 in the morning, then abandon the race from last place in the ski race in Lillehammer a couple of years ago. Easy to get demoralized when that kind of thing happens (and indeed, he's given up NoCo and become a jumping specialist this season) which prevents development for other nations.

I would love to see, just once in the season, if it could be done safely, a ski flying + 20km ski "marathon" Gundersen - would have to be either Oberstdorf or Planica I think. And they really should do a "Classic" NoCo once or twice a season, with the Individual Start ski race followed by the jump with the points total confirming the victor. It would make the sport a bit more varied and, an individual start ski race would bring start number tactics into the proceedings, give the opportunity to do some longer and more interesting XC courses, and allow some of those who do not qualify in the PCR to make some progress on the skis because instead of being X number of competitors of whom 50 start the jump then go to the race (in which case DQs and DNSes for those way way down reduce the field yet further) there could be X number of competitors of whom the 50 fastest ski times go on to the jump, and it might mean some athletes get to do the jump who normally don't get any World Cup experience because they're skiing biased and not strong enough jumpers to get the chance to show that.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

the lahti qualifiers just over...skipping the ladies, i'd say jylhae atop with almost 2 seconds (in 1.2 km) on a runner-up pellegrino isn't a shocker but an eyebrow riser, well, may be not considering he's on home snow...

i expected more french in the top 30 (remembering there were 3 in the final here last year), but fouund only 1 (jay). surprised manificat bothered with the sprint considering the tomorrow's race...the norges are all in (i think).

the russians passed 3, including petukhov who seems somewhat recovered...the swedes -4, but barely. both emils made it.

now the tactics in the finals, given the course relative difficulty and narrowness, will favour front runners in my view. still, it should be pelle's another straight win...

Well, which one of the 9 Norwegians do you think will win?

 

[python]

Re: Re:

the lahti qualifiers just over...skipping the ladies, i'd say jylhae atop with almost 2 seconds (in 1.2 km) on a runner-up pellegrino isn't a shocker but an eyebrow riser, well, may be not considering he's on home snow...

i expected more french in the top 30 (remembering there were 3 in the final here last year), but fouund only 1 (jay). surprised manificat bothered with the sprint considering the tomorrow's race...the norges are all in (i think).

the russians passed 3, including petukhov who seems somewhat recovered...the swedes -4, but barely. both emils made it.

now the tactics in the finals, given the course relative difficulty and narrowness, will favour front runners in my view. still, it should be pelle's another straight win...

Well, which one of the 9 Norwegians do you think will win?

i hope none. pellegrino was just too good in his semi...the longish finish is the only concern i have but he should decide everything on the 2nd to last hill.

5 minutes more and we will know for sure

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Sprint races are all about Pellegrino. If he had enough endurance to compete in a proper race he'd be dangerous as he's got a great finish but is less likely to just rely on that à la Northug.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re: Re:

the lahti qualifiers just over...skipping the ladies, i'd say jylhae atop with almost 2 seconds (in 1.2 km) on a runner-up pellegrino isn't a shocker but an eyebrow riser, well, may be not considering he's on home snow...

i expected more french in the top 30 (remembering there were 3 in the final here last year), but fouund only 1 (jay). surprised manificat bothered with the sprint considering the tomorrow's race...the norges are all in (i think).

the russians passed 3, including petukhov who seems somewhat recovered...the swedes -4, but barely. both emils made it.

now the tactics in the finals, given the course relative difficulty and narrowness, will favour front runners in my view. still, it should be pelle's another straight win...

Well, which one of the 9 Norwegians do you think will win?

i hope none. pellegrino was just too good in his semi...the longish finish is the only concern i have but he should decide everything on the 2nd to last hill.

5 minutes more and we will know for sure

And by '9' that includes, well, included, because it's over now, the women as well.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Sprint races are all about Pellegrino. If he had enough endurance to compete in a proper race he'd be dangerous as he's got a great finish but is less likely to just rely on that à la Northug.

Ustiugov

 

[python]

the final for pelle went exactly as i predicted a few minutes ago - he stumped the 2nd to the last hill and...lost the lead on a forking looong finish.

oh well. at least petter did not win. btw, petuckov had a lot of fight in him today and should be happy, imo

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Well yes, but Ustiugov isn't here and Fede has kind of won every freestyle sprint this season until today.

Women's was fairly straightforward for Falla, but behind a little more interesting as Østberg is running out of steam it seems, Diggins placed herself well to pinch 2nd from Weng (I thought Heidi may never have a better chance to win a sprint race but she is at a disadvantage on the descent and once she was forced to go around the outside of the final corner you knew she wouldn't be able to overcome) as well, taking a nice line and a good finish.

In the men's, Pellegrino was looking strong but couldn't get enough separation I don't think, he got completely swamped once they were back into the stadium and to miss the podium entirely is surprising. Great finish from Iversen though, he timed it very well. Also pleased with Krogh because anybody finishing ahead of Northug is a-ok with me

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Well yes, but Ustiugov isn't here and Fede has kind of won every freestyle sprint this season until today.

Women's was fairly straightforward for Falla, but behind a little more interesting as Østberg is running out of steam it seems, Diggins placed herself well to pinch 2nd from Weng (I thought Heidi may never have a better chance to win a sprint race but she is at a disadvantage on the descent and once she was forced to go around the outside of the final corner you knew she wouldn't be able to overcome) as well, taking a nice line and a good finish.

In the men's, Pellegrino was looking strong but couldn't get enough separation I don't think, he got completely swamped once they were back into the stadium and to miss the podium entirely is surprising. Great finish from Iversen though, he timed it very well. Also pleased with Krogh because anybody finishing ahead of Northug is a-ok with me

I mentioned Ustiugov because he has what you said Pellegrino needs, good stamina to go along with his strong finish. Ustiugov has been very competitive in just about every race he's done this year. He can sprint, he can hang on in distance races, he can climb Alpe Cermis, he can hunt people down, he can attack mid-race, he can go towards the back of the pack and then make it all up (Falun). It's too bad he didn't race today, as I think this isn't a bad course for him.

I think Pellegrino needs to do more distance races. That will also help improve his sprinting.

The Norwegians had distinctly fast skis today. On this type of course, that's huge. It's such a long descent into the the stadium, that if you have good skis, can draft and be tactically smart, you can make up a lot of ground. Schlickenrieder (who finished 6th in the inaugural world championship sprint in 2001) said that it's key to be at the front in this course. I don't necessarily disagree, at least not completely, but the sling-shot effect is very noticeable. It always has been on this course. The finishing straight is fairly short, but the back straight is the most important part of the course, in my view. You don't want to be too far, obviously, but it's very easy for the people behind you to make up ground and overtake you with such a drafting effect.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

the final for pelle went exactly as i predicted a few minutes ago - he stumped the 2nd to the last hill and...lost the lead on a forking looong finish.

oh well. at least petter did not win. btw, petuckov had a lot of fight in him today and should be happy, imo

Pellegrino's skis were not running as well, you could see that during the race, before he even went to the front. The Norwegians had better skis and, not surprisingly, he isn't as snappy as he was earlier in the season. There are 3 more sprints to finish the season. Two in skate and one in classic. I think he pretty much has to be good in those races and the sprint title is his. It would take something very dramatic for him not to win. Having two more skate sprints will help him though.

 

[Singer01]

Re:

Argh, Riiber, what have you done? I think that's called a "reverse Heidi"...

he is having a terrible weekend, hope it isn't serious.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Does anybody know what happened to Riiber? I mean, I know he crashed, but how it happened. He was skating just behind Rießle one second, they both went over the riser, and then Rießle had nobody near him, and Riiber was on the floor in the advertising boards over on the right hand side of the course, somewhere you really wouldn't have any need to be. He clearly didn't hit Rießle because Rießle had no idea where Riiber had gone and was asking Rydzek what had happened on his way into the finish, he didn't look behind him until the end of the long climb, where he turned around and then couldn't see the Norwegians at all. There were some backmarkers around so it makes me wonder if he caught an edge trying to ski around some lapped traffic?