Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[Mayomaniac]

Especially Krueger could probably even win this. But I guess they went home already?

I guess, that and Nyengent still being there because he's the potential replacement if something happens probably makes sense. Well, kinda sucks for Krüger.

 

[DonAragona]

I think Bolshunov blatantly cut him up.

And the annoying thing (for him) is he didn't need to get involved. Any line he took he still would have easily beat bolshunov in a sprint

Klaebo took off his sunglasses just as they entered the sprint climb, he was too busy showboating not to notice the glance back from Bolshunov to work out which lane Klaebo would ski in...Boy wonder made a rare tactical error.

The start list for today is an all-time low for the men's 50k, embarrassing that the Norwegians didn't select Kruger simply because the race has to be set up for boy wonder.

I've seen more than enough of these championships to know Klaebo hasn't and wouldn't win any Gold in distance with the Russians in the field. I fully expect the nauseating Norwegian media to continue with the 'greatest ever' narrative today(regardless of the result)...not kidding anyone outside of Norge.

 

[DonAragona]

Great win for Andersson. She is really in great shape and once again showing that at least for women, skipping the Tour de Ski to focus in the World Championships seems like the right strategy. Kalvå with a great second place but she had some great skis beneath her legs too. Karlsson raced well but she is not in top shape and that explains the gap to Andersson. Hennig and the Finns were disappointing though they didn't have great skis as it was told and Svahn did much better than I expected.

I also think that it doesn't make sense to put Røthe instead of Krüger or even Holund in this race but a fresh Tønseth will be a threat in such race, he is actually my bet for tomorrow ahead of the favourites Niskanen and Klæbo.

I find it embarrassing the idea that Andersson can only win Gold if she skips the Tour.

Like Sundling, she'll never get respect with that attitude.

Queen Karlsson continues to get all the headlines in Sweden, warriors always get respect.

 

[Discgear]

Very impressive win in Vasaloppet by Emil Persson, this winters giant. And 16 year old Alvar Myhlback on 8th place. His father btw is head of the struggling Swedish wax team in Planica.

 

[Discgear]

I find it embarrassing the idea that Andersson can only win Gold if she skips the Tour.

Like Sundling, she'll never get respect with that attitude.

Queen Karlsson continues to get all the headlines in Sweden, warriors always get respect.

What is embarrising, is to accuse Ebba of not being a warrior. She got Covid in December. TdS was out of question.

 

[Discgear]

I guess, that and Nyengent still being there because he's the potential replacement if something happens probably makes sense. Well, kinda sucks for Krüger.

Expert commentator Aukland on Norwegian NRK, says it's the most scandalous team selection ever, pointing to the fact that neiether Holund or SHK got a place.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Expert commentator Aukland on Norwegian NRK, says it's the most scandalous team selektion ever, pointing to the fact that neiether Holund or SHK got a place.

Yeah, i've heard that the Norwegian experts aren't happy with this one.
Still, I wouldn't call it scandalous, just questionable. Iversen getting a spot on that relay team at the Olympics was frankly worse.

 

[Discgear]

Yeah, i've heard that the Norwegian experts aren't happy with this one.
Still, I wouldn't call it scandalous, just questionable. Iversen getting a spot on that relay team at the Olympics was frankly worse.

Yes maybe. Apparently SHK had sent an sms to NRK saying that he now was dropped twice from the race. He clearly is in Planica and was prepared to step in.
Or something else is in play.
Paving the road for the poster boy, or smokescreens hiding good ol' problem with high blood values?

 

[Mayomaniac]

Yes maybe. Apparently SHK had sent an sms to NRK saying that he now was dropped twice from the race. He clearly is in Planica and was prepared to step in.
Or something else is in play.
Paving the road for the poster boy, or smokescreens hiding good ol' problem with high blood values?

My inpression is that it's the former.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Pellegrino's classic technique is great. He's on the shorter side and lacks the long leverages that nearly all the modern top classic skiers have (and maybe also the engine), but his technique is on point.

 

[Mayomaniac]

All the Finns besides Niskanen already struggeling and Hyva already changing skis.
Classic bad material with warm weather for them?

 

[Bavarianrider]

The finnish waxing Crew is down right embarassing. They always struggle in warm conditions.

 

[DonAragona]

Klaebo on the outside, skating the whole time...when will the jury act?

 

[titan31]

I'm assuming Iversen had an automatic selection as defending champion. No idea how he'd be selected otherwise and his performance so far is pretty bad.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Klaebo on the outside, skating the whole time...when will the jury act?

Never, everyone else gets a warning for just trying to stay ob their skis in super deep conditions, like during the skiathlon, but he can skate as much as he likes....

 

[Discgear]

I'm assuming Iversen had an automatic selection as defending champion. No idea how he'd be selected otherwise and his performance so far is pretty bad.

Yes, as reigning (undeservedly lucky) champion, he has a reserved spot.

 

[Mayomaniac]

I'm assuming Iversen had an automatic selection as defending champion. No idea how he'd be selected otherwise and his performance so far is pretty bad.

Yes, as the defending champion he has a fee spot in this one.

 

[Discgear]

Klaebo on the outside, skating the whole time...when will the jury act?

Simply no surprise. But it will get truly horrendous when he skate-sprints pass everyone in the end of the race.

 

[KZD]

I find it embarrassing the idea that Andersson can only win Gold if she skips the Tour.

Like Sundling, she'll never get respect with that attitude.

Queen Karlsson continues to get all the headlines in Sweden, warriors always get respect.

I didn't say that she needs to skip it to win gold but it certainly helps as these World Championships have been showing. Ultimately World Championships > Tour de Ski so she made the right call just like Sundling.

I think Niskanen's skis are not good enough today for him to do a solo (or his shape is not good enough). Golberg has been looking good so far, I think he might drop Klæbo and win this in a small sprint.

 

[titan31]

Klaebo getting dropped a bit now.

 

[Mayomaniac]

The finnish waxing Crew is down right embarassing. They always struggle in warm conditions.

Like Russians with wet snowfall, always the same.

 

[titan31]

That was pretty boring. Was expecting more from Niskanen to try and break it from early.

 

[DonAragona]

haha, wow what a finish.

That's a KILLER for Klaebo

 

[Bavarianrider]

At least the pretty boy did not win. Golberg had rockets under his feet. Niskanen was fighting a losing battle from the beginning, his skies simply did not have the necessary speed.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Worst 50km that I can remember. Oh well, at least Klaebo didn't win and can now hold hands with his buddy Poromaa on the lower steps on the podium.
Norway didn't start anyone who beat him in a distance race at this wc and he still didn't win, so everything is good.

The Finnish team had horrible skis and I think without that broken pole De Fa might have been able to fight for a top 5 result.

First Austrian top 20 result in a WC 50km race since 2005.