Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[python]

Re: Re:

^^wtf is wrong with la gazzetta ...

klaebo did not plan the 50k, isn't in the start list and in fact is ...in Norway already for at least half a day.

could be a time zone reporting error ?

I don't think so, the newspaper came out today and the klaebo thing was already reported by various international websites yesterday and even before that, I get that XC skiing is no longer a priority for them, but come on.

perhaps it is good i NEVER care to read the italian media wrt xc skiing...you may need too, though i understand you live there...

 

[May0maniac]

Re: Re:

^^wtf is wrong with la gazzetta ...

klaebo did not plan the 50k, isn't in the start list and in fact is ...in Norway already for at least half a day.

could be a time zone reporting error ?

I don't think so, the newspaper came out today and the klaebo thing was already reported by various international websites yesterday and even before that, I get that XC skiing is no longer a priority for them, but come on.

perhaps it is good i NEVER care to read the italian media wrt xc skiing...you may need too, though i understand you live there...

I don't read it for the Xc skiing news, reading La Gazzetta mainly for cyling news, alpine skiing and a bit of football while drining an espresso in a bar is an old habit of mine, if there's an article about XC skiing I usually end up reading it.

 

[BullsFan22]

Anyone excited for the 50km tomorrow? I kind of am! I hope it's not the usual 'wait for the final few km for something to happen.' The conditions should be warm, but not too warm and the tracks will probably hold, so hopefully no knee deep slush!

The Norwegians and Russians have solid lineups, but not sure if they'll play team tactics. The Swedes will hope that Rickardsson and Halfvarsson can do do something or that they both have excellent skis, but I don't see them miraculously getting their form back. Poltoranin and Niskanen are the two favorites for me, especially Poltoranin. This is probably the most important race of his life. I hope he can deliver. He thoroughly deserves a gold medal, in my opinion. Niskanen had a pretty good classic leg, and he led for much of the classic portion of the skiathlon. I think that can only mean positive things for him. Cologna hasn't had a break in 50km races at the olympics and worlds. In 2010 he fell with 100m to go, in 2014 somebody skied over one of his skis and snapped them with just under two km's to go. At the 2013 world's he fell when he was in the breakaway with Olsson, but managed to concentrate and ended up with a silver. In 2015 he simply didn't have it in the end. In Holmenkollen 2016 he didn't finish due to leg issues, and in 2015 Holmenkollen he lost in a photo finish to Roethe. The 50km just doesn't want Cologna to win, it seems like, lol! Tomorrow could be his. Harvey is always tough in these 50k's and I expect to see him in the top 10, at least, though I am no fan of his. There are a few other names that are interesting, Heikkinen, for one, but he's so unpredictable that you're afraid to put any hope on him. Better to expect the worst with him, because that means he'll deliver a top 3, lol!

My picks? Poltoranin, Niskanen, Bolshunov. Bolshunov is very young, and you wouldn't necessarily pick a 21 year old Olympic rookie to last enough to get a medal, but he's in form, is confident and his classic is better than skating. If he skis smart, he has the potential to win.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Dyrhaug's not raced at Pyeongchang at all yet so we don't have too much guide to what kind of form he's in, last we saw him he was breaking poles left right and centre and pulling out of races with back problems.

I would love a race that ends with Poltoranin and Niskanen winning medals though.

 

[BullsFan22]

Re:

Dyrhaug's not raced at Pyeongchang at all yet so we don't have too much guide to what kind of form he's in, last we saw him he was breaking poles left right and centre and pulling out of races with back problems.

I would love a race that ends with Poltoranin and Niskanen winning medals though.

Yeah the Dyrhaug selection is strange to me. I kind of understand Iversen, he's a much better classic skier and he had some form coming into Korea, but Dyrhaug? Not so much. As you said, bad luck, bad form, injuries before the season, during the season....They should have put in Krueger. Yes, he's a better skater, but he's in very good form (obviously) and he can grind. Klaebo not being there gave the coaches plenty to think about. Maybe they thought they had no choice.

 

[DenisMenchov]

50km is my favorite discipline in the Olympics along side mass start in biathlon and ski jumping on a large hill. So, yes, I am excited

 

[meat puppet]

Why of course!

Polto vs Niskanen is my prediction. It is the most important race ever for both I guess.

Bolshunov, MJS, Harvey and cologna in the mix too.

 

[DenisMenchov]

I think Spitsov is a dark horse, he skies really smart, and might save himself the most in the end. But then again, he's only 21, and this is probably his first ever 50km race.

 

[python]

Re:

Why of course!

Polto vs Niskanen is my prediction. It is the most important race ever for both I guess.

Bolshunov, MJS, Harvey and cologna in the mix too.

and they just obliged by making a gap TOGETHER

 

[DenisMenchov]

Hopefully Bolshunov can catch up, otherwise the gold and silver are gone

 

[meat puppet]

Re: Re:

Why of course!

Polto vs Niskanen is my prediction. It is the most important race ever for both I guess.

Bolshunov, MJS, Harvey and cologna in the mix too.

and they just obliged by making a gap TOGETHER

Niskanen is tactically worse i think. Too proud and eager, gambling on the ability to drop all. Polto playing it exactly right.

E: or not. Maybe IN can actually break away. The snowtigertail climb will tell!

 

[python]

Re: Re:

Why of course!

Polto vs Niskanen is my prediction. It is the most important race ever for both I guess.

Bolshunov, MJS, Harvey and cologna in the mix too.

and they just obliged by making a gap TOGETHER

Niskanen is tactically worse i think. Too proud and eager, gambling on the ability to drop all. Polto playing it exactly right.

all true. but if one was to compare their great styles for ease and efficiency i'f go with livo...longer strides as in the ability to use a higher gear in cycling generally indicates a slightly better mechanical efficiency.

 

[meat puppet]

Re: Re:

Why of course!

Polto vs Niskanen is my prediction. It is the most important race ever for both I guess.

Bolshunov, MJS, Harvey and cologna in the mix too.

and they just obliged by making a gap TOGETHER

Niskanen is tactically worse i think. Too proud and eager, gambling on the ability to drop all. Polto playing it exactly right.

all true. but if one was to compare their great styles for ease and efficiency i'f go with livo...longer strides as in the ability to use a higher gear in cycling generally indicates a slightly better mechanical efficiency.

Yes, you saw it right. Surprisingly Bolshunov is gaining.

It might start to snow.

 

[BullsFan22]

Bolshunov looking very relaxed to my eyes.

 

[python]

i am glad alexander seems fair by NOT just hanging on the niskanen back...either he wants to work together to keep polto away or he's testing livo...

 

[DenisMenchov]

What a race so far. Having my fingers crossed for Bolshunov, he deserves a gold after 2 team silvers and a bronze in the sprint.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Turned into a formula 1 race, Iivo makes a pit stop for fresh skis, while Bolshunov stays on the old ones but opens up a 10 second gap.

 

[BullsFan22]

Not changing skis may cost Bolshunov the race.

 

[meat puppet]

Niskanen has better skis clearly. B made the mistake to go it alone and not change. Just hanging on and relying on his sprint would have been savvier IMHO.

Excellent race!

 

[BullsFan22]

It's snowing....Big advantage Niskanen. No doubt.

 

[BullsFan22]

If Bolshunov wants to win this race, he'll now have to open up a 10-15 second gap and hope the skis aren't so slow compared to Niskanen, otherwise Niskanen will just glide away from him on the final downhill sections.

 

[BullsFan22]

Oooooh what a shame for Poltoranin!! I thought he had enough in the tank to hold on for bronze! Feel sorry for him.

 

[DenisMenchov]

Devastating result for Bolshunov, he was one of the most complete skiers, if not the most, at the Olympics. And leaving it without a gold is so sad.

 

[bambino]

Niskanen you beast! He deserved this, did make the initial split and delivered home. Bolshunov really strong, but simply had nothing left (and worse skis) when Iivo decided to go.

 

[BullsFan22]

Bolshunov looked dead, or just knew he had no chance with those skis? I don't understand why he didn't change skis. They had a huge lead, why risk it? He wasn't going to blow it. Niskanen had to win it, but won it on ski speed.