Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[RattaKuningas]

Re: Re:

Larkov and Bolshunov put russia to the drivers seat. Following polto was the key on leg one. Theirs to lose now.

yeah, polto seem in shape to take the 50km...still, i would not exclude him being an ethnic russian having a little plan coordinated with the russians

overall, it was one of the more exciting relays i've ever seen. i warned above about the french strength and they delivered (probably b/c they read my post :lol: ). klaebo and kruger gave the norwegians the gold, but i am starting to wonder, having seen their 3d leg weakness, if this would hold true, had the russian team not been beheaded. lets face, it 3 of 4 of their team members today are stil eligible to compete at the junior/u23 level. . whatever..coulda would is not my cup of tea. italy held well for a while, sweden shamed tanked, finland was where i expected them...

Poltoranin lives in Estonia so I doubt that he trains a lot with Russians or makes plans with them.

 

[python]

Re: Re:

Larkov and Bolshunov put russia to the drivers seat. Following polto was the key on leg one. Theirs to lose now.

yeah, polto seem in shape to take the 50km...still, i would not exclude him being an ethnic russian having a little plan coordinated with the russians

overall, it was one of the more exciting relays i've ever seen. i warned above about the french strength and they delivered (probably b/c they read my post :lol: ). klaebo and kruger gave the norwegians the gold, but i am starting to wonder, having seen their 3d leg weakness, if this would hold true, had the russian team not been beheaded. lets face, it 3 of 4 of their team members today are stil eligible to compete at the junior/u23 level. . whatever..coulda would is not my cup of tea. italy held well for a while, sweden shamed tanked, finland was where i expected them...

Poltoranin lives in Estonia so I doubt that he trains a lot with Russians or makes plans with them.

you are free to doubt all you want, where he lives has zero value input. polto certainly had 5 minutes to chat with his russian college...s and in case you did not know what's known to the entire peloton he talks russian at home b/c...he is an ethnic russian as are hundreds of thousands of his compatrions holding the passport of kazaknstan...whether he did coordinate his acceleration i dont really know...it was only a supposition.

 

[Kokoso]

Re: Re:

Larkov and Bolshunov put russia to the drivers seat. Following polto was the key on leg one. Theirs to lose now.

yeah, polto seem in shape to take the 50km...still, i would not exclude him being an ethnic russian having a little plan coordinated with the russians

overall, it was one of the more exciting relays i've ever seen. i warned above about the french strength and they delivered (probably b/c they read my post :lol: ). klaebo and kruger gave the norwegians the gold, but i am starting to wonder, having seen their 3d leg weakness, if this would hold true, had the russian team not been beheaded. lets face, it 3 of 4 of their team members today are stil eligible to compete at the junior/u23 level. . whatever..coulda would is not my cup of tea. italy held well for a while, sweden shamed tanked, finland was where i expected them...

Poltoranin lives in Estonia so I doubt that he trains a lot with Russians or makes plans with them.

Yeah, people can't make plans together when they live in different countries, it's well known fact. Especially if they speak same language.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Hope we can get a finale like Oberhof last year with this same trio at the front.

 

[meat puppet]

One miss fourcade & schempp, two misses lesser.

 

[Alexandre B.]

I almost had a heart attack.

 

[May0maniac]

Rastelli proved to be the right pick, I#d like to see him in more 15km classic races, and De Fabiani seems to be in good form for the 50km.
In the end Salvadori cracked, italy justs lacks a skating specialist like Clara, with him they could have been up there with France (they did an awesome race, I'm impressed by there performance).

 

[portugal11]

fourcade is just incredible. hopefully he will get one medal in the mixed relay

 

[RattaKuningas]

Re: Re:

Larkov and Bolshunov put russia to the drivers seat. Following polto was the key on leg one. Theirs to lose now.

yeah, polto seem in shape to take the 50km...still, i would not exclude him being an ethnic russian having a little plan coordinated with the russians

overall, it was one of the more exciting relays i've ever seen. i warned above about the french strength and they delivered (probably b/c they read my post :lol: ). klaebo and kruger gave the norwegians the gold, but i am starting to wonder, having seen their 3d leg weakness, if this would hold true, had the russian team not been beheaded. lets face, it 3 of 4 of their team members today are stil eligible to compete at the junior/u23 level. . whatever..coulda would is not my cup of tea. italy held well for a while, sweden shamed tanked, finland was where i expected them...

Poltoranin lives in Estonia so I doubt that he trains a lot with Russians or makes plans with them.

you are free to doubt all you want, where he lives has zero value input. polto certainly had 5 minutes to chat with his russian college...s and in case you did not know what's known to the entire peloton he talks russian at home b/c...he is an ethnic russian as are hundreds of thousands of his compatrions holding the passport of kazaknstan...whether he did coordinate his acceleration i dont really know...it was only a supposition.

I rewatched the end of the 1st leg and I really can't see any coordination there. He simply pushed tempo at the front and that was it and the Russian barely managed to hold on to him after the Italian, who was in 2nd place, couldn't hold on. To me it seems that he was racing his own race.

 

[jsem94]

Looking ahead there's not much hope for top tier male skiers in Sweden. Women looking good though, thankfully. Stina will be going strong for quite a while and there's many others that can do well.

Per Elofsson and Kanal 5 running a hit piece on Johann Mühlegg now, lmao. That race in Soldier Hollow. In hindsight he should have settled for silver because he would have been awarded gold anyway.

 

[Forever The Best]

Cologna is awesome. Getting a gold medal in another Olympics. And I thought he was done after last year.

 

[Singer01]

I though Germany would walk the mixed relay. But the Norwegian women performing much better than expected opens it up a lot more.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Depends who Germany nominate. They've got decent chances of gold and at least a medal in both men's and women's relays, but Dahlmeier clearly needs a break and apart from Doll none of the main men have had a rest either. They may try to push through a medal with a couple of the athletes not expecting to do all of the races - I'd say Dahlmeier is the only certainty in the women's relay as there's so much competition behind her whereas for the men the relay quartet is almost certain as there's a clear drop-off after those four. They've rotated the women other than Laura, so I'd say probably Laura skips the mixed relay to allow her to be rested for the conventional one, and they run a configuration of the other women alongside Rees (who will be fresh and is probably more trustworthy in the relay than Kühn) and probably Doll who rested for the Individual, hoping that since all of the women are capable of being genuinely competitive that will enable them to fight for a medal, and then run the A-team for the men's and women's relays.

 

[Brullnux]

France can be good too depending on the team, and Italy won't be bad (if Hofer and Winsdisch go back to how they were at the start of the Olympics, and Wierer and Vitozzi keep their current form). The Czechs are going pretty well too.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Re:

I almost had a heart attack.

That was such an awesome finish - I loved it!

Right, so about that xc-skiing athlete nobody here cares about (with very good reason) - Mr. Tonga didn't finish dead last in the 15k. Yay!

I know, he's like the Eddie the Eagle of the other Winter Olympics, but sometimes you just have to take things with a sense of humor. Cause otherwise you guys will just get too intense about things.

 

[meat puppet]

Being a stuck up square, gotta admit that Mr tonga's shtick has not been particularly amusing to me. :/

Anyway, team sprints today. Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

 

[Discgear]

Re:

Being a stuck up square, gotta admit that Mr tonga's shtick has not been particularly amusing to me. :/

Anyway, team sprints today. Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

Aren't the sprints tomorrow? Btw, I do agree with your analysis.

 

[meat puppet]

Re: Re:

Being a stuck up square, gotta admit that Mr tonga's shtick has not been particularly amusing to me. :/

Anyway, team sprints today. Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

Aren't the sprints tomorrow? Btw, I do agree with your analysis.

Whoops, you're right. Mixed relay in biathlon today.

 

[python]

Re:

Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

completely agree with the 2nd part, including re. the tactical options for kalla-nillson winning, but not as sure the norwegian men have the team sprint in the pocket. explaining...

a lot depends on who they select as a partner for klaebo and who they will compete against. i just checked the fis start lists. none are posted yet. with the exception of several nations, the selection process is still open. none are also posted in the norwegian media with krueger - the most logical choice - possibly going home.

the typical criteria the teams (that have the luxury of a selection) is to put a distance/endurance' horse' in the 1st leg and a 'finisher/puncher' in the second. the 'problem' that the norges have is (something the other teams envy) their OVER-SELECTION. a slight mistake, like say with toeseth in the team relay 1st leg, and klaebo may NEVER have a chance to catch up with the decisive break away.

also, it a skating event, where the klaebo very unique advantage uphill running can not be used. if you recall, the only times he lost a sprint (IIRC) was in skating. it is now well known that his advantage in the classic style is a shorter kick wax zone, thus more glide. not applicable tomorrow.

and we should not forget that knoekler/pellegrino or spitsov/bolshunov are in topr fearsomeshape, not to mention the finns and hellner/halfvarsson...

 

[meat puppet]

Re: Re:

Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

completely agree with the 2nd part, including re. the tactical options for kalla-nillson winning, but not as sure the norwegian men have the team sprint in the pocket. explaining...

a lot depends on who they select as a partner for klaebo and who they will compete against. i just checked the fis start lists. none are posted yet. with the exception of several nations, the selection process is still open. none are also posted in the norwegian media with krueger - the most logical choice - possibly going home.

the typical criteria the teams (that have the luxury of a selection) is to put a distance/endurance' horse' in the 1st leg and a 'finisher/puncher' in the second. the 'problem' that the norges have is (something the other teams envy) their OVER-SELECTION. a slight mistake, like say with toeseth in the team relay 1st leg, and klaebo may NEVER have a chance to catch up with the decisive break away.

also, it a skating event, where the klaebo very unique advantage uphill running can not be used. if you recall, the only times he lost a sprint (IIRC) was in skating. it is now well known that his advantage in the classic style is a shorter kick wax zone, thus more glide. not applicable tomorrow.

and we should not forget that knoekler/pellegrino or spitsov/bolshunov are in topr fearsomeshape, not to mention the finns and hellner/halfvarsson...

Good analysis, python. I'll just chip in the following:

Agree that the Russians, Swedes and Italians will not be pedestrians of course. My take assumed that Norway has a tactic and selection that involves a) an endurance focus and high pace generally and thus b) Kläbo also "cooking" Pellegrino and other fast finishers a bit on each leg. I think he is capable of that. And I think the Russians especially will go pedal to the metal from bang, so maybe the others have not much choice.

Finns will run with Hakola & Jylhä. So, in other words Heikkinen and Niskanen will concentrate on the 50k and skip this. Hakola was sick and skipped the relay because of that. His form I guess can go either way. Jylhä's base level might not be enough to the party ahead, but you never know.

 

[python]

Re: Re:

Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

completely agree with the 2nd part, including re. the tactical options for kalla-nillson winning, but not as sure the norwegian men have the team sprint in the pocket. explaining...

a lot depends on who they select as a partner for klaebo and who they will compete against. i just checked the fis start lists. none are posted yet. with the exception of several nations, the selection process is still open. none are also posted in the norwegian media with krueger - the most logical choice - possibly going home.

the typical criteria the teams (that have the luxury of a selection) is to put a distance/endurance' horse' in the 1st leg and a 'finisher/puncher' in the second. the 'problem' that the norges have is (something the other teams envy) their OVER-SELECTION. a slight mistake, like say with toeseth in the team relay 1st leg, and klaebo may NEVER have a chance to catch up with the decisive break away.

also, it a skating event, where the klaebo very unique advantage uphill running can not be used. if you recall, the only times he lost a sprint (IIRC) was in skating. it is now well known that his advantage in the classic style is a shorter kick wax zone, thus more glide. not applicable tomorrow.

and we should not forget that knoekler/pellegrino or spitsov/bolshunov are in topr fearsomeshape, not to mention the finns and hellner/halfvarsson...

Good analysis, python. I'll just chip in the following:

Agree that the Russians, Swedes and Italians will not be pedestrians of course. My take assumed that Norway has a tactic and selection that involves a) an endurance focus and high pace generally and thus b) Kläbo also "cooking" Pellegrino and other fast finishers a bit on each leg. I think he is capable of that. And I think the Russians especially will go pedal to the metal from bang, so maybe the others have not much choice.

Finns will run with Hakola & Jylhä. So, in other words Heikkinen and Niskanen will concentrate on the 50k and skip this. Hakola was sick and skipped the relay because of that. His form I guess can go either way. Jylhä's base level might not be enough to the party ahead, but you never know.

if Jylhä's manages to just survive, i think hakola is capable of threatening a medal...didn't hakola iirc win the prologue beating his majesty klaebo by some fractions of a second ? i also recall hacola from a few days back where he was plenty recovered and lead virtually every heat he was in until the final...definitely do not discount the finns for a medal. if anything, i have a premonition that halfvarsson instability may sink the swedes to make a vacancy for the finns.

 

[bambino]

Re: Re:

Barring accidents norway probably takes mens' team sprint quite comfortably. But in ladies sweden's Kalla - Nilsson is a fearsome duo, who in my book is the favourite. And they have a multiplicity of tactical options from a breakaway attempt to pure sprint.

completely agree with the 2nd part, including re. the tactical options for kalla-nillson winning, but not as sure the norwegian men have the team sprint in the pocket. explaining...

a lot depends on who they select as a partner for klaebo and who they will compete against. i just checked the fis start lists. none are posted yet. with the exception of several nations, the selection process is still open. none are also posted in the norwegian media with krueger - the most logical choice - possibly going home.

the typical criteria the teams (that have the luxury of a selection) is to put a distance/endurance' horse' in the 1st leg and a 'finisher/puncher' in the second. the 'problem' that the norges have is (something the other teams envy) their OVER-SELECTION. a slight mistake, like say with toeseth in the team relay 1st leg, and klaebo may NEVER have a chance to catch up with the decisive break away.

also, it a skating event, where the klaebo very unique advantage uphill running can not be used. if you recall, the only times he lost a sprint (IIRC) was in skating. it is now well known that his advantage in the classic style is a shorter kick wax zone, thus more glide. not applicable tomorrow.

and we should not forget that knoekler/pellegrino or spitsov/bolshunov are in topr fearsomeshape, not to mention the finns and hellner/halfvarsson...

Good analysis, python. I'll just chip in the following:

Agree that the Russians, Swedes and Italians will not be pedestrians of course. My take assumed that Norway has a tactic and selection that involves a) an endurance focus and high pace generally and thus b) Kläbo also "cooking" Pellegrino and other fast finishers a bit on each leg. I think he is capable of that. And I think the Russians especially will go pedal to the metal from bang, so maybe the others have not much choice.

Finns will run with Hakola & Jylhä. So, in other words Heikkinen and Niskanen will concentrate on the 50k and skip this. Hakola was sick and skipped the relay because of that. His form I guess can go either way. Jylhä's base level might not be enough to the party ahead, but you never know.

if Jylhä's manages to just survive, i think hakola is capable of threatening a medal...didn't hakola iirc win the prologue beating his majesty klaebo by some fractions of a second ? i also recall hacola from a few days back where he was plenty recovered and lead virtually every heat he was in until the final...definitely do not discount the finns for a medal. if anything, i have a premonition that halfvarsson instability may sink the swedes to make a vacancy for the finns.

I have no fait on Finns to knock the podium, Jylhä simply does not have the stamina to go with the likes of Bolshunov or Spitsov who will evidently be the work horses of the race.

Kruger indeed, to my understading, has been sent home by Norwegians. So I assume the second athlete with Klaebo will be Iversen, Krogh or Gålberg. I personally think it will be Iversen given Krogh was horrible in 15km. The best for Norwegians would be to have MJS with Klaebo, but I doubt he will risk the 50km with this.

 

[python]

...20 minutes ago reported by the NRK...it is sundby-klaebo and bjoergen- falla.

 

[search]

It was just announced that Peiffer replaces Schempp and Lindstroem is in for Samuelsson in today's mixed relay. Both for reasons of illness.

 

[Singer01]

Re:

I though Germany would walk the mixed relay. But the Norwegian women performing much better than expected opens it up a lot more.

That shows what i know, the women were absolutely terrible.
only hope now is that fourcade chokes on his last couple of shots again.
That Windisch finish looked suspicious as f'ck.