Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[Mayomaniac]

Felt like it came down to how the skis glided on that last descent. Brennan had looked good going up the hill but as soon as she was having to double pole over the roller when everybody else was gliding through you knew that she wouldn't have it despite being the stronger sprinter of the four on paper (maybe less so in classic). Interesting to see how Niskanen and Hennig do tomorrow and how they approach the task of taking time on Tiril Udnes Weng, who looked pretty cooked toward the end today. None are particularly accomplished in terms of their history on the Alpe, Hennig at least has a couple of lower end top 10s but has the most time to gain. Last year Hennig gained 11" on TUW only, that was the first time Tiril had made it to the final stage since 2019 when she was much younger and so not really representative.

I had to do something to enliven this race, this is just painful. Ban the organisers using the Zorzi climb. Chiesa and Pojer would be a much more selective run-in and hopefully we don't end up with a bunch sprint. I expect Klæbo to win by doing his running thing on Zorzi on the last lap, but I would laugh so hard if Pellegrino wins a 15km distance classic.

Edit: this race is a perfect example of why there is that anti-Klæbo sentiment. This is precisely the type of race that is meant.

Yeah, the currently used loop in Val di Fiemme just isn't good for mass start races. Makes what Klaebo did last year even more impressive, but one year ago he was in monster shape.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Dios Mio, the fact that Val di Fiemme will host the 2026 Olympics depresses me already. Simply not selektive enough for the men.
Nice win by Henning, it was about time for her to finale do it.

 

[BullsFan22]

Yep, still glad I haven’t watched a full mens race this season.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Dios Mio, the fact that Val di Fiemme will host the 2026 Olympics depresses me already. Simply not selektive enough for the men.
Nice win by Henning, it was about time for her to finale do it.

Yeah, ok for an individual start, but the short, steep climbs followed by flats just don't make for a good mass start. Toblach would be better, if you do the loops the other way around, clockwise, or use the Nathalie lap.

 

[OJRvE]

Yeah, ok for an individual start, but the short, steep climbs followed by flats just don't make for a good mass start. Toblach would be better, if you do the loops the other way around, clockwise, or use the Nathalie lap.

If they use the course from 2013 and before with the long climb which finish with a herringbone hill I think it could be somewhat selective. I remember 2010 Bauer destroying the field there once and the woman’s races always created big gaps. But I haven’t seen the part of the course since the worlds not even in the Universiade or Junior worlds the year after when they used longer loops than the now usual “NC loop”. I also read something about that they are going to rebuild the stadium, I don’t if that’s likely to change the courses,

 

[BullsFan22]

The open space should be good for hosting decent sized crowds, but yeah, the course could be harder.

Mocellini you’d expect to be there in 2026, but hard to see Pellegrino at 35 competing for medals, particularly in a classic sprint. Italy has Graz, Barp and a few other good talents, so it’ll be interesting to see if they develop into podium threats in the next few seasons. The women’s is lacking a bit.

 

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Giacomel has really stepped up big time, by the way. Impressive performances over the past days.

 

[Mayomaniac]

If they use the course from 2013 and before with the long climb which finish with a herringbone hill I think it could be somewhat selective. I remember 2010 Bauer destroying the field there once and the woman’s races always created big gaps. But I haven’t seen the part of the course since the worlds not even in the Universiade or Junior worlds the year after when they used longer loops than the now usual “NC loop”. I also read something about that they are going to rebuild the stadium, I don’t if that’s likely to change the courses,

They kinda need longer loops for the 50km race and even for the 15km individual start (if it's still 15kms then, knock on wood), so I hope they use a different loop.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The open space should be good for hosting decent sized crowds, but yeah, the course could be harder.

Mocellini you’d expect to be there in 2026, but hard to see Pellegrino at 35 competing for medals, particularly in a classic sprint. Italy has Graz, Barp and a few other good talents, so it’ll be interesting to see if they develop into podium threats in the next few seasons. The women’s is lacking a bit.

Young talent on the men's side is never the problem, they always seem to get at least one individual medal at the junior wc. We loose them afterwards. I think changing coaches every year kinda hurt the long term development of the young guys, but now with the Cramer elite group and the other groups working towards the Olympics we should have more long term planning and development.
On the women's side Cramer is apparently really high on Ganz, after seeing her at the NC in Toblach last spring he insisted on having her in his training group.

 

[Bavarianrider]

The open space should be good for hosting decent sized crowds, but yeah, the course could be harder.

Mocellini you’d expect to be there in 2026, but hard to see Pellegrino at 35 competing for medals, particularly in a classic sprint. Italy has Graz, Barp and a few other good talents, so it’ll be interesting to see if they develop into podium threats in the next few seasons. The women’s is lacking a bit.

I expect Pellegrino to go the Zorzi route and lead Italien to relay Gold. Not kidding, Italien will be up there.

 

[BullsFan22]

Young talent on the men's side is never the problem, they always seem to get at least one individual medal at the junior wc. We loose them afterwards. I think changing coaches every year kinda hurt the long term development of the young guys, but now with the Cramer elite group and the other groups working towards the Olympics we should have more long term planning and development.
On the women's side Cramer is apparently really high on Ganz, after seeing her at the NC in Toblach last spring he insisted on having her in his training group.

I’ve read Cramer interviews that he hopes to be coaching the Russians once the war in Ukraine ends and Europeans get some common sense in them again and open the borders. If that happens, I hope there’s a continued partnership with those two countries and there’s more individual athletes (like Stadlober last season) that join. It can only benefit everyone. The British team has combined forces with the likes of Eiduka and it’s working of so far. That team is pretty much filled with Norwegian coaches and service staff.

Cramer says he still makes training schedules for Ustiugov. He also said that motivation has taken a hit. I only hope that FIS come to their senses and end the ban next season.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I’ve read Cramer interviews that he hopes to be coaching the Russians once the war in Ukraine ends and Europeans get some common sense in them again and open the borders. If that happens, I hope there’s a continued partnership with those two countries and there’s more individual athletes (like Stadlober last season) that join. It can only benefit everyone. The British team has combined forces with the likes of Eiduka and it’s working of so far. That team is pretty much filled with Norwegian coaches and service staff.

Cramer says he still makes training schedules for Ustiugov. He also said that motivation has taken a hit. I only hope that FIS come to their senses and end the ban next season.

Yeah, Cramer knew about the exact nature of Ustigov's health problems before he made them public, they are still pretty close.
Pellegrino would probably be really happy to be able to train with his buddy Sergey once again.

 

[BigCoward]

Is there any way to block someone from pm'ing you? Bullsfan22 is being a weird war apologist for Russia and its creeping me out and i dont like it. I've asked them to leave me alone but they still want to deepthroat Putin's ***.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Is there any way to block someone from pm'ing you? Bullsfan22 is being a weird war apologist for Russia and its creeping me out and i dont like it. I've asked them to leave me alone but they still want to deepthroat Putin's ***.

Put you mouse over the name of the profile, click ignore and don't be such a *** when it's uncalled for.

 

[BigCoward]

Put you mouse over the name of the profile, click ignore and don't be such a *** when it's uncalled for.

It's not OK to call out war apologists and ask them to leave you alone and stop pm'ing you their weird agenda? Are you one also?

 

[Bavarianrider]

I am unsure If I am happy that Halversonbl is doing well again or If i shall be mad/sad as It shows how many years the guy wasted in his career.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I am unsure If I am happy that Halversonbl is doing well again or If i shall be mad/sad as It shows how many years the guy wasted in his career.

He already said that he'll go all out right at the start of the Alpe Cermis climb, so I expect him to blow up on the 2nd half of the climb

 

[BullsFan22]

He already said that he'll go all out right at the start of the Alpe Cermis climb, so I expect him to blow up on the 2nd half of the climb

Mass start will help guys like Halfvarsson and Pellegrino. It’ll be tough for them to hold on to their podium spots, but they are in good form and you never know. Also, the forecast calls for snow starting late morning.

 

[KZD]

In the women's, I expect Tiril Weng to be overtaken by both Hennig and Niskanen losing her podium spot (but keeping her overall lead in World Cup). Karlsson could very well take the stage besides the Tour.

In the men's Halvarsson should still keep his podium unless he blows up but Golberg and Pellegrino will likely be overtaken by Krüger that should fight for the stage win with Røthe and Moch

Btw, I don't think anyone mentioned yet but Antoine Cyr was top6 in the sprint and mass-start races in the last two days. Nice to see another country with a skier capable of fighting for top spots.

Next year I really hope they bring a skating individual back to the Tour de Ski and make the final climb a pursuit again...

 

[Mayomaniac]

In the women's, I expect Tiril Weng to be overtaken by both Hennig and Niskanen losing her podium spot (but keeping her overall lead in World Cup). Karlsson could very well take the stage besides the Tour.

In the men's Halvarsson should still keep his podium unless he blows up but Golberg and Pellegrino will likely be overtaken by Krüger that should fight for the stage win with Røthe and Moch

Btw, I don't think anyone mentioned yet but Antoine Cyr was top6 in the sprint and mass-start races in the last two days. Nice to see another country with a skier capable of fighting for top spots.

Next year I really hope they bring a skating individual back to the Tour de Ski and make the final climb a pursuit again...

I had Cyr on my list as guys for the future, a really talented guy with good results in the junior ranks.

 

[KZD]

I expect Pellegrino to go the Zorzi route and lead Italien to relay Gold. Not kidding, Italien will be up there.

I fear that we won't even have a men's relay in the next Olympics anymore but a 4×5 mixed relay instead.

Regardless even if we have a men's relay the only medal I can see Pellegrino leading Italy to is bronze.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Diggins is working to try to prove a point. She was amazingly strong in the 20km skate pursuit, but her classic has sucked worse than usual this week so we shall see if she has anything in the tank. Hennig only gained a few seconds on TUW last year, but there's more to play for here.

Gotta root for Eiduka here, she clearly wants to mean business at least. Claudel and Laukli are my other outsiders who could spring a surprise, probably not winning the stage but with the potential to get into the top 5-10.

 

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Stadlober was 2nd fastest a couple of years back, but never really got it right since. Maybe today will be the day

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Allez Delphine!!! Maybe my wildcards ARE going to win.

Good lord, look at Laukli's technique here vs. Diggins', both climbing well but one is climbing like Nairo Quintana and the other like Paco Mancebo elegance-wise.

Urevc in the top 10 is insane. Kudos to her, I did not expect that. Especially as it does not fit in from the expectations on build, size etc. - Claudel and Laukli are both super skinny and small which typically is to their advantage as you might expect on a climb.

Nor did I expect Karlsson having an absolute pajará. Good job for her that she had enough time advantage to hold on.

 

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Karlsson is still not back on her feet, 7 minutes after the finish. Let's hope she is okay