I think the champs thus far have been great. Even the sprints, actually. This might go against the grain, but i dont care. Sure I wish the norwegians won less, and Johaug was on perma-vacation, but I guess this is what it is.
Track design has been key, IMHO. As long as the tracks are suitable, ie. comparable to lumpy bike races but in skiing's own terms, even mass start races may be good. I think Seefeld has at least partially succeeded in this. To wit: not too difficult climbs that induce too much caution, but not too flat either.
Mens skiathlon especially was selective and then decided in a short 15-30sec burst of power while the contenders were fatigued. Uneven pacing with peaks and troughs is needed. Niskanen probably had the highest vo2max (allegedly 7 litres per minute in absolute terms) of those who were there at the end, but could not answer when very high neuromuscular power was needed. There is no way someone wins that race Northug style, just wheelsucking, as was the norm some 5-10 years ago. Women's race was like that too, if you abstract Johaug away and look what happened behind her: selective from the gun and then decided in a burst. Johaug also made her initial attack exactly like that: attacked from behind, put in a burst of maybe 45 sec and dropped the others.
More generally, the ability to generate 20-30sec bursts repeatedly and while fatigued seems to have become all the more important in modern xc lately, as mass starts become the norm. The ability to hold a steady pace gives you the ticket to enter the business end of a race but is rarely sufficient in and of itself. According to people working close to the field, this trend has been driven by originally sprint-specific qualities spilling over to distance racing and distance skiers, especially thanks to mass starts. Universal distance skiers have to be very good aerobically, but also need the burst-ability and high top speed in the flats. Neuromuscular power is thus becoming emphasised.
I tend to welcome this development and find it good that more is required from medalists than "pure endurance" - as long as select groups and breakaways still have a chance of succeeding, which depends quite a lot on track design. I used to have a different opinion, but have changed it. One pure TT race is enough for endurance specialists. Maybe make it 20k for both genders.
***
As for today's race the jury will decide whether to put salt on the "red loop" at noon. Finns seem to be in opposition, as this would render the conditions a bit less hard by enhancing glide and hardness of the snow.
Niskanen though has stated he is ready either way, and this I believe. I would be surprised to see him lose, but the race will likely be close. Him and Bolshu both have Rossignols. Waxing and maybe finding the perfect pair of skis will play a role for sure.
I appreciate Niskanen's excellence as a sportsman, but am semi fed up with the Finnish media hyping him as the "ultimate skier" (though failing to mention that he has been dropped like a bad habit when pedal hit the metal in the skiathlon and also leg 3 in team sprint against Iversen's attack...) and hence root for less-of- one-trick-ponies such as Bolshu.
It is a cultural thing and I find the "as long as we win classic TTs for which maybe three people specialise all is good" attitude prevalent in Finland quite symptomatic. Klaebo will walk away with at least two golds, probably three, thanks to his neuromuscular capabilities. Will he be unhappy that some think he is not the "ultimate skier"? I dont think so.
It seems that Finns want Xc to be one way. But it really is the other way, for better or worse.
Track design has been key, IMHO. As long as the tracks are suitable, ie. comparable to lumpy bike races but in skiing's own terms, even mass start races may be good. I think Seefeld has at least partially succeeded in this. To wit: not too difficult climbs that induce too much caution, but not too flat either.
Mens skiathlon especially was selective and then decided in a short 15-30sec burst of power while the contenders were fatigued. Uneven pacing with peaks and troughs is needed. Niskanen probably had the highest vo2max (allegedly 7 litres per minute in absolute terms) of those who were there at the end, but could not answer when very high neuromuscular power was needed. There is no way someone wins that race Northug style, just wheelsucking, as was the norm some 5-10 years ago. Women's race was like that too, if you abstract Johaug away and look what happened behind her: selective from the gun and then decided in a burst. Johaug also made her initial attack exactly like that: attacked from behind, put in a burst of maybe 45 sec and dropped the others.
More generally, the ability to generate 20-30sec bursts repeatedly and while fatigued seems to have become all the more important in modern xc lately, as mass starts become the norm. The ability to hold a steady pace gives you the ticket to enter the business end of a race but is rarely sufficient in and of itself. According to people working close to the field, this trend has been driven by originally sprint-specific qualities spilling over to distance racing and distance skiers, especially thanks to mass starts. Universal distance skiers have to be very good aerobically, but also need the burst-ability and high top speed in the flats. Neuromuscular power is thus becoming emphasised.
I tend to welcome this development and find it good that more is required from medalists than "pure endurance" - as long as select groups and breakaways still have a chance of succeeding, which depends quite a lot on track design. I used to have a different opinion, but have changed it. One pure TT race is enough for endurance specialists. Maybe make it 20k for both genders.
***
As for today's race the jury will decide whether to put salt on the "red loop" at noon. Finns seem to be in opposition, as this would render the conditions a bit less hard by enhancing glide and hardness of the snow.
Niskanen though has stated he is ready either way, and this I believe. I would be surprised to see him lose, but the race will likely be close. Him and Bolshu both have Rossignols. Waxing and maybe finding the perfect pair of skis will play a role for sure.
I appreciate Niskanen's excellence as a sportsman, but am semi fed up with the Finnish media hyping him as the "ultimate skier" (though failing to mention that he has been dropped like a bad habit when pedal hit the metal in the skiathlon and also leg 3 in team sprint against Iversen's attack...) and hence root for less-of- one-trick-ponies such as Bolshu.
It is a cultural thing and I find the "as long as we win classic TTs for which maybe three people specialise all is good" attitude prevalent in Finland quite symptomatic. Klaebo will walk away with at least two golds, probably three, thanks to his neuromuscular capabilities. Will he be unhappy that some think he is not the "ultimate skier"? I dont think so.
It seems that Finns want Xc to be one way. But it really is the other way, for better or worse.
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