It's not so much about how often he wins but how he does it that makes him into such a popular figure though. Think of him as being like XC's Mikel Landa, only good enough to win big more often than Landa ever does.Considering he's the hero of the thread and the savior of XC, he doesn't win very often does he? He's great, but his talent and results don't seem to tie together.
Glorious failure does have its benefits. And we also get to project our hatred of the calendar onto him and see how a deserved great champion gets shat on by 'the man'.It's not so much about how often he wins but how he does it that makes him into such a popular figure though. Think of him as being like XC's Mikel Landa, only good enough to win big more often than Landa ever does.
It's not so much about how often he wins but how he does it that makes him into such a popular figure though. Think of him as being like XC's Mikel Landa, only good enough to win big more often than Landa ever does.
Glorious failure does have its benefits. And we also get to project our hatred of the calendar onto him and see how a deserved great champion gets shat on by 'the man'.
We did the same for Poltoranin before him, too. The sport needs people with lopsided skillsets who can only succeed in certain formats or styles, because they will have to race more aggressively in those races as they are their only chance.Glorious failure does have its benefits. And we also get to project our hatred of the calendar onto him and see how a deserved great champion gets shat on by 'the man'.
Speaking of Poltoranin, I kinda hoped for a comeback...We did the same for Poltoranin before him, too. The sport needs people with lopsided skillsets who can only succeed in certain formats or styles, because they will have to race more aggressively in those races as they are their only chance.
Iivo fits the bill not only for having that lopsided skillset so having to race aggressively in those races, but also the type of races that he is best at are the type that are most popular with a lot of the purists, which let's face it many of us posting in this thread are. And it's also a role he's only too happy to commit to, as well, often going full attack early and giving us longer and more interesting races for it, even if he doesn't get to benefit from his work by blowing himself up. It's not for nothing that "dropping everybody and then dropping himself" has become known as the renowned Niskanen tactic.
The 15km in Ruka in 2012 is one of the most beautiful displays of classic skiing that you’ll ever see.Speaking of Poltoranin, I kinda hoped for a comeback...
Only a completely hate blinded jerk would begrudge her that 2nd place..Carl blocked by Andersson and Karlsson near the top of the sprint hill.
Almost impossible to hate on Diggins after that final lap...
I don't begrudge her that 2nd place. She deserved it with a brilliant last lap considering the terrible luck with her glove/pole and the work she had to do to get back to the front subsequently.Only a completely hate blinded jerk would begrudge her that 2nd place..
Very impressive from Laukli, bodes very well for Tour de Ski
My favourite American cross-country skier for these reasons lolbodes well for the final climb, that’s it. She’s not a good classic skier, doesn’t sprint, and needs a hard skate course to be competitive.
My favourite American cross-country skier for these reasons lol
Tbf, with her trail running on the side she might have some upside as a classic distance skier too.And she’s half Norwegian 😂