Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[Mayomaniac]

They need to put Bolshunov on the second classic part and Ustiugov to do the anchor. Then they have a chance, but surely they won`t be that smart.

100% this, that would be the way to go, but I don't know if they'll actually be smart enough to do that.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Did De Fabiani just crash again?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Did De Fabiani just crash again?

Yup, somewhat more artistically than yesterday, too. Beautiful 360º twist and dive.

 

[BullsFan22]

100% this, that would be the way to go, but I don't know if they'll actually be smart enough to do that.

In Korea, they had Larkov as their lead off. He and Poltoranin made a break and got a decent gap to Norway. Bolshunov at one point had over 40 seconds to Sundby, but paid for it on the last lap, and Sundby, with the help of Italy and France brought the gap down by 10 seconds. I am not sure that even 40 seconds would have been enough for Chervotkin. He got caught by Krüger and then leaked another 15 seconds. Spitsov had to ski hard to try and catch up. He did, but his skis were not good. Not only compared to Klæbo, but also Backscheider. He never stood a chance against Klæbo with those skis.

 

[BullsFan22]

Did De Fabiani just crash again?

And couldn’t resist in taking another skier out (this time Yakimushkin). Well, they say misery loves company.

 

[Mayomaniac]

So, how long until Ilvo gets dropped once again after doing all the work?

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Ban the mass start on the Alpe

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Klæbo takes advantage of Bolshunov being pinned behind Niskanen at the point of his inevitable implosion. Røthe vs. Spitsov at the front it seems, and is that Moch coming up with JHK?

 

[meat puppet]

So, how long until Ilvo gets dropped once again after doing all the work?

In about 2mins.

And yes, the mass start format on this joke of a climb is adding insult to injury.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Idolo Altimiras!
See, I told you that Mooch would do well.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Bögl being this good is a surprise to me.
Edit: And Baba is 9th atm, apprently we just need more uphill races to make the sport more comppetitive on an international level.

 

[Mayomaniac]

De Fabiani's nickname should be De Fail or De Fall instead of De Fast.
Klaebo beaten by the Germs!

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Bögl being this good is a surprise to me.
Edit: And Baba is 9th atm, apprently we just need more uphill races to make the sport more comppetitive on an international level.

More long and tough courses with actually long and complex climbs on them.

Baba also overtook Tønseth at the end.

 

[Mayomaniac]

More long and tough courses with actually long and complex climbs on them.

Baba also overtook Tønseth at the end.

The Pustertaler Skimarathon has the Skating event finish on the Plätzwiese. 6.3kms at 8.4% featured by 5kms on a pretty easy course at almost 2,000m of altitude at the end.

Apparently Ustigov is racing the Skimarathon this weekend, but maybe only the 62km classic race.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Most of the actual talents from central Europe (mainly the Alpes) who'd do well on this climb and really hard courses are probably doing Ski Mountaineering.

 

[BullsFan22]

A bit suspicious to see Moch and Bögl this high. I hope it’s a case of saving something the last couple stages in preparation for today and/or taking advantage of tired overall leaders. I think it’s even more suspicious to see Klæbo skiing this well in a hill climb where he didn’t do so well in the two other times he took part in. And this after a bruising 15km yesterday on a tough course, 41+ minutes for a 15km in this day and age is unusual.
Spitsov got stuck early in the climb and had to meander through a number of people. He lost the stage and third because of that. Terrible positioning. Chervotkin’s pace setting in the flat sections didn’t do his team too much of a service.

 

[BullsFan22]

Bögl being this good is a surprise to me.
Edit: And Baba is 9th atm, apprently we just need more uphill races to make the sport more comppetitive on an international level.

Bögl was 8th in this race last season, but that was without the Norwegians.

 

[Mayomaniac]

A bit suspicious to see Moch and Bögl this high. I hope it’s a case of saving something the last couple stages in preparation for today and/or taking advantage of tired overall leaders. I think it’s even more suspicious to see Klæbo skiing this well in a hill climb where he didn’t do so well in the two other times he took part in. And this after a bruising 15km yesterday on a tough course, 41+ minutes for a 15km in this day and age is unusual.
Spitsov got stuck early in the climb and had to meander through a number of people. He lost the stage and third because of that. Terrible positioning. Chervotkin’s pace setting in the flat sections didn’t do his team too much of a service.

Moch is still young and got 3 medals at the 2020 junior WC, probably the biggest talent that Germany has seen in a long time. He had the 7th best time in the Ruka pursuit this year, was 10th in the Lathi Skiathlon last year and is rather light.
We've seen way more eyebrow raising prformances on this climb on the years and I'm not only talking about my "riding buddy" Joe...

 

[BullsFan22]

Moch is still young and got 3 medals at the 2020 junior WC, probably the biggest talent that Germany has seen in a long time. He had the 7th best time in the Ruka pursuit this year, was 10th in the Lathi Skiathlon last year and is rather light.
We've seen way more eyebrow raising prformances on this climb on the years and I'm not only talking about my "riding buddy" Joe...

I am aware of Moch’s exploits, he is also better in skate than classic, just didn’t really see him figuring in the podium. Bögl had a good race in Ruka, but since then he’s been about where he’s usually been, in 15-25 or so.

Well, we can take the discussion on which performances on this climb have been suspect, but we’d need to take it to the clinic.

 

[Bavarianrider]

Bögl being this good is a surprise to me.
Edit: And Baba is 9th atm, apprently we just need more uphill races to make the sport more comppetitive on an international level.

Cermis is all about your engine, not so much about Xc technique. Good runners do well here. Bögl is by far Germanys best runner. Moch doing well gives hope for the future.

 

[titan31]

100% this, that would be the way to go, but I don't know if they'll actually be smart enough to do that.

Depending on form, there'll be an argument for Norway to put Klaebo on the second leg to match Bolshunov. Go Valnes, Klaebo, Krueger and Iverson. You guarantee at least being on par with Russia going into the final leg there imo whereas on current form you'd expect Golberg to be dropped by Bolshunov and you're hoping Krueger can close down Spitsov or Klaebo closes Ustyugov down.

 

[BullsFan22]

Depending on form, there'll be an argument for Norway to put Klaebo on the second leg to match Bolshunov. Go Valnes, Klaebo, Krueger and Iverson. You guarantee at least being on par with Russia going into the final leg there imo whereas on current form you'd expect Golberg to be dropped by Bolshunov and you're hoping Krueger can close down Spitsov or Klaebo closes Ustyugov down.

Where will Iversen find his form? Even then, you’re asking him to do a 10km skate at altitude, on a tough course?

 

[BullsFan22]

Les Rousses world cup cancelled because of the Coronavirus

BREAKING: Les Rousses (FRA) World Cup cancelled

Because of growing concerns to hold international events in the current pandemic situation and the virulence of the Omicron variant, the organizing committee of Les Rousses (FRA), the French Ski Federation and the National Authorities took the decision to cancel the FIS Cross-Country World Cup...

www.fis-ski.com

Not good news for those that missed the TDS and were planning on racing there. Apparently FIS isn't even going to consider an alternative. Why not stay in Italy, perhaps Toblach, they have a decent amount of snow, right? Or Austria?

 

[Silhouette]

Klæbo skiing the last leg in the relay isn't just likely, it's as close to a sure thing as anything can be in sports.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Cermis is all about your engine, not so much about Xc technique. Good runners do well here. Bögl is by far Germanys best runner. Moch doing well gives hope for the future.

At the same time once you reach certain gradients running technique also becomes less improtant and it becomes all about your engine.