Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[meat puppet]

Anttola had some 20sec on Pellegrino at the exchange. Now 15.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Anttola with 20" over Pellegrino could be the battle to watch. Finns in skate vs. a former sprinter now capable over distance but preferring to manage pack racing rather than solo... but with home Games motivation. He's pulled it back to 15, but he probably needs to get there with enough time to recover before the sprint.

 

[Salvarani]

Im rooting for Pellegrino.

Would be nice if he can get a medal here for himself and Italy. Probably his last Olympics and maybe last championship he will take part in.

 

[Bavarianrider]

The French men really have performed very well at these olympics.

 

[Salvarani]

Look at Pellegrino!

 

[No Excuses]

Pellegrino is there

 

[Bavarianrider]

Oh, the finish guy has No Chance.

 

[meat puppet]

I also thought (at the time) that Niskanen did a great second leg to bring Finland back into contact with leaders but I see her split time wasn't that special?

Didn't actually check the splits, because Niskanen did about what she was always supposed to. The only point I had (if any) was that Joensuu lost her lead quickly, couldn't hang on after having spent a 20sec buffer, and descending like a dummy didn't help.

 

[Salvarani]

Didn't actually check the splits, because Niskanen did about what she was always supposed to. The only point I had (if any) was that Joensuu lost her lead quickly, couldn't hang on after having spent a 20sec buffer, and descending like a dummy didn't help.

Her being able to hold those seconds over Sundling was slim. Remember her last relay in the WC in Trondheim.

Sundling was rested as well in the 10km. She was in attack mode and that she would eat up that gap was given imo.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Didn't actually check the splits, because Niskanen did about what she was always supposed to. The only point I had (if any) was that Joensuu lost her lead quickly, couldn't hang on after having spent a 20sec buffer, and descending like a dummy didn't help.

Joensuu really lacks durability... and her propensity to qualify in the top 3 for any given sprint and then blow up by the semi-final (on those few occasions she doesn't fall over) means that frankly that was to be expected. I complain about the amount of races on the calendar that allow a "sprinter who can hang on to tempo in mass start distance races" type to win, which Sundling obviously can take advantage of with her finishing power, but the difference between the two of them in terms of palmarès in non-sprint disciplines is plain for all to see.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Is Anttola really gonna pull a 2025 Fosnaes...

 

[Salvarani]

Pellegrinos motivation is just too strong here

 

[Salvarani]

Too bad we didnt get to see Pellegrino drop him

 

[Mayomaniac]

Eother Anttola had a bad day from the start or he went to the Fosnaes school of final leg tactics.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Horrible Olympics by Germany, can't wait for Schlickenrieders excuses. That being said, the gap in performance between the Swedish women and men is mind blowing.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Horrible Olympics by Germany, can't wait for Schlickenrieders excuses.

He's gonna blame the athletes, as always.
Who is responsable for Moch doing too much strength training bs over the Summer?

 

[kingjr]

I actually think Calle is the replacement. That's how I understood it, at least

Using Myhlback was not an option?

 

[KZD]

Its done, Klæbo gets his 9th Olympic gold medal and becomes the sole record holder.

France really nailed the preparation for these Olympics, great second place.

Happy that Pellegrino's Italy could get the bronze medal here, I actually think they will get another medal in the team sprint and give Norway a fight.

A relay to forget for Sweden, their men's team is really weak when compared to the women's.

 

[kingjr]

Horrible Olympics by Germany, can't wait for Schlickenrieders excuses. That being said, the gap in performance between the Swedish women and men is mind blowing.

Perhaps a bright spot, Stoelben was only 50 seconds slower than Hedegart today.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Perhaps a bright spot, Stoelben was only 50 seconds slower than Hedegart today.

Yes, and Hedegart had the better conditions, only 15 seconds to Pellegrino, but I doubt @Bavarianrider is going to be thrilled about having a sprinter as the only decent skier.

 

[Brullnux]

Nice to see Pellegrino lead the team to bronze. He's been basically the only Italian XC skier for the past 10 years, and now he retires with the sport in much better shape than how he found it (and a team medal to boot).

 

[Salvarani]

Using Myhlback was not an option?

They sent him home, which felt weird, and he wasnt gonna stick around if not scheduled to race. Feels like using him in the sprint relay or the first leg in this relay would have been an option. The 50km.

I dont know. It felt like he could have been very useful and a better option then some of the other guys.

He is also quite the character. Big personality. Doing his own thing. He has told off reporters and experts a few times already. Not a timid young man. Maybe a factor as well and that he is not super-incorporated yet within the group/team. The coaches.

There is also some big long distance races coming up soon. He wants to defend his win in Vasaloppet from last year.