Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[OJRvE]

Reading through all the hard luck stories on the various forums i'm surprised nobody has mentioned how poor Karlsson was at ski exchange, she was only 1 second behind Ebba entering her bay where she nearly fell, was slow putting on the skis and strapping the poles...lost at least 5 seconds, the slipstream and ultimately the Gold

It was a poor exchange but she only lost 3 seconds to Ebba as she was already 3 seconds behind. She didn’t lose any time to Johaug. I suppose you count to 1 but forgot that her bay is a few seconds behind Ebbas.

 

[DonAragona]

It was a poor exchange but she only lost 3 seconds to Ebba as she was already 3 seconds behind. She didn’t lose any time to Johaug. I suppose you count to 1 but forgot that her bay is a few seconds behind Ebbas.

Those couple of seconds were everything, at the 12km interval she was only 6 seconds back after being 9 back at the ski exchange. Those extra 2/3 seconds are the difference of catching the slipstream or not catching.

 

[DenisMenchov]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSJG1nYZTjs&ab_channel=JUSTDANCING


The level at this final 2km here is insane. Okay, I think none of these guys would beat Klaebo on that Mickey Mouse course. But literally all could challenge for medals in that skiathlon, and every single one of them would probably destroy Krueger. Tells you a lot about the that race, and what we're missing.

 

[DenisMenchov]

No Diggins in 10km classics tomorrow.

Theodorsen is 4th one for Norway, a bit surprising, alongside Weng, Slind and Johaug obviously.

No Sundling for Sweden, Ribom, Ilar, Karlson and Anderson.

Niskanen is Finland's biggest chance for a distance medal at this championships.

It can be a really tight race.

On the men's side it's between Nyenget, Amundsen and Klaebo to distribute the medals once again. Krueger is there as the defending champion, but he's got 0 chance and Valnes is once again surprisingly the 5th member instead of Golberg, whom I expected to fill the squad.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Reading through all the hard luck stories on the various forums i'm surprised nobody has mentioned how poor Karlsson was at ski exchange, she was only 1 second behind Ebba entering her bay where she nearly fell, was slow putting on the skis and strapping the poles...lost at least 5 seconds, the slipstream and ultimately the Gold

She can probably thank Slind's changeover catastrophe for that being overlooked in fairness.

 

[Mayomaniac]

No Diggins in 10km classics tomorrow.

Theodorsen is 4th one for Norway, a bit surprising, alongside Weng, Slind and Johaug obviously.

No Sundling for Sweden, Ribom, Ilar, Karlson and Anderson.

Niskanen is Finland's biggest chance for a distance medal at this championships.

It can be a really tight race.

On the men's side it's between Nyenget, Amundsen and Klaebo to distribute the medals once again. Krueger is there as the defending champion, but he's got 0 chance and Valnes is once again surprisingly the 5th member instead of Golberg, whom I expected to fill the squad.

Sweden is probably resting Sundling for the team sprint, that makes lots of sense.
If Krüger won a medal in a proper Skiathlon he probably wouldn't even start this, especially if If Ivo Niskanen was also here. I guess Valnes has his back problems under control now and they can always use Lolberg in the team sprint instead.
Elia Barp went home because of cardiovascular problems that he had in the Skiathlon. Tomorrow Italy is starting Nöckler, De Fabiani, Ticco and Ventura (the first 2 are the potential replacements for Barp in the team sprint), while Pellegrino is resting for the team sprint. Sweden should have done the same with at least one of Anger and Halfvarsson.

 

[OJRvE]

She can probably thank Slind's changeover catastrophe for that being overlooked in fairness.

Karlsson had the same pit-time as Johaug and Sundling. It was in lower mid of the field so it’s not good but not particilary bad either

Sweden is probably resting Sundling for the team sprint, that makes lots of sense.
If Krüger won a medal in a proper Skiathlon he probably wouldn't even start this, especially if If Ivo Niskanen was also here. I guess Valnes has his back problems under control now and they can always use Lolberg in the team sprint instead.
Elia Barp went home because of cardiovascular problems that he had in the Skiathlon. Tomorrow Italy is starting Nöckler, De Fabiani, Ticco and Ventura (the first 2 are the potential replacements for Barp in the team sprint), while Pellegrino is resting for the team sprint. Sweden should have done the same with at least one of Anger and Halfvarsson.

Byström decided to rest Sundling without asking her. But as always the men are allowed to do what they want even if their program is even heavier. Still no idea why Halfvarsson did race on Saturday.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

The level at this final 2km here is insane. Okay, I think none of these guys would beat Klaebo on that Mickey Mouse course. But literally all could challenge for medals in that skiathlon, and every single one of them would probably destroy Krueger. Tells you a lot about the that race, and what we're missing.

That is a 5 km race where they (correct me if im wrong) are skiing 2 x 2,5 km in a course that also wouldve been called a Mickey Mouse course if it was used in World Cup/World Champs and they seemed to very much cruise around the first round before going full speed on the first loop before going all in as you say the last 2 km. Of course it's going to look extremely impressive with a 2 km burst at the end when you have Bolshunov and a lot of other guys that are great skiers.

Using Krüger as an example from the Skiathlon doesnt say much as he got beaten by Pellegrino, Desloges, Musgrave, Poromaa, Schumacher and Lapalus. So beating him in that race wouldnt necessarily bring much and doesnt say much at all.

I would say that the first 4 over the finish line in that relay should have been able to challenge for a medal in that skiatlon on Saturday. From position 5 and behind they are too far behind Bolshunov in such a finish to realistically beat Amundsen and Nyenget. But realistically a couple of those russians wouldve been blown away in the classic part (same would likely Jenssen and guys like Pellegrino) in Trondheim if Bolshunov was there and doing his normal Skiathlon tactic.

 

[DonAragona]

Re Sundling.

My god resting skiers in Championship shape during the Championships.

I give up

 

[DenisMenchov]

That is a 5 km race where they (correct me if im wrong) are skiing 2 x 2,5 km in a course that also wouldve been called a Mickey Mouse course if it was used in World Cup/World Champs and they seemed to very much cruise around the first round before going full speed on the first loop before going all in as you say the last 2 km. Of course it's going to look extremely impressive with a 2 km burst at the end when you have Bolshunov and a lot of other guys that are great skiers.

Using Krüger as an example from the Skiathlon doesnt say much as he got beaten by Pellegrino, Desloges, Musgrave, Poromaa, Schumacher and Lapalus. So beating him in that race wouldnt necessarily bring much and doesnt say much at all.

I would say that the first 4 over the finish line in that relay should have been able to challenge for a medal in that skiatlon on Saturday. From position 5 and behind they are too far behind Bolshunov in such a finish to realistically beat Amundsen and Nyenget. But realistically a couple of those russians wouldve been blown away in the classic part (same would likely Jenssen and guys like Pellegrino) in Trondheim if Bolshunov was there and doing his normal Skiathlon tactic.

Yes you are correct, they did 2x2.5km. In that sprint you didn't even have some of the top guys like Korostelev and Ustygov, I was a bit joking that all could challenges for medals, but level is pretty high and we would have much more interesting races with some of them in Trondheim.

It's really sad to see Pellegrino, Musgrave and Schumacher beating Krueger in what to me is the best distance race in all xc skiing. But you need a course like Planica or Beijing and 30km to really see the effects.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

It looks like potentially really tricky waxing conditions tomorrow. Crazy conditions in Norway normally means superior skis for the home nation, and I guess especially the Swedish skiers and waxers are a bit stressed. They delivered slightly underwhelming skis in the classic for the women’s skiathlon and tomorrow it will likely be a lot more difficult. But it can always go both ways, suddenly the Norwegian wax trailer gets too arrogant and wants to invent the dynamite again.

 

[DenisMenchov]

But it can always go both ways, suddenly the Norwegian wax trailer gets too arrogant and wants to invent the dynamite again.

Is that a saying in Norwegian? It's really funny

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Is that a saying in Norwegian? It's really funny

the correct direct translation would be gunpowder, not dynamite. I fon’t know why i thought using dynamite would make it a proper saying in English.

 

[DenisMenchov]

the correct direct translation would be gunpowder, not dynamite. I fon’t know why i thought using dynamite would make it a proper saying in English.

Now it's less funny as obviously a Swede, Nobel, invented the dynamite. But still nice saying.

 

[BullsFan22]

That is a 5 km race where they (correct me if im wrong) are skiing 2 x 2,5 km in a course that also wouldve been called a Mickey Mouse course if it was used in World Cup/World Champs and they seemed to very much cruise around the first round before going full speed on the first loop before going all in as you say the last 2 km. Of course it's going to look extremely impressive with a 2 km burst at the end when you have Bolshunov and a lot of other guys that are great skiers.

Using Krüger as an example from the Skiathlon doesnt say much as he got beaten by Pellegrino, Desloges, Musgrave, Poromaa, Schumacher and Lapalus. So beating him in that race wouldnt necessarily bring much and doesnt say much at all.

I would say that the first 4 over the finish line in that relay should have been able to challenge for a medal in that skiatlon on Saturday. From position 5 and behind they are too far behind Bolshunov in such a finish to realistically beat Amundsen and Nyenget. But realistically a couple of those russians wouldve been blown away in the classic part (same would likely Jenssen and guys like Pellegrino) in Trondheim if Bolshunov was there and doing his normal Skiathlon tactic.

I’ve only really watched Russian races these past 3 seasons, but they seem to have a knack for going with long stadium entrances and finishing straights. Also their sprints are generally longer than ones used at the WC. It’s probably one of the reasons they are not as consistent in sprints as the Norwegians.

As far as their nationals are concerned, we also have to take in consideration the snow conditions. Their snow is different than what you see at this time in Europe, especially Scandinavia. The snow has already transformed and is spring like, plus all the wet snow and rain in Trondheim makes it that much more special. The snow in Kazan, where the nationals are, is still midwinter snow and it’s colder (cold in Russia, shocking, I know).

I have no idea how they would fare in Trondheim, but I would wager they would be somewhat competitive. It will take time for them to adapt to everything. Assuming they return next season, I don’t expect the same results as they had in Beijing. Falun 2027 will be a different story. Pretty much all of the top skiers that were active in 2022, are still active.

 

[BullsFan22]

Yes you are correct, they did 2x2.5km. In that sprint you didn't even have some of the top guys like Korostelev and Ustygov, I was a bit joking that all could challenges for medals, but level is pretty high and we would have much more interesting races with some of them in Trondheim.

It's really sad to see Pellegrino, Musgrave and Schumacher beating Krueger in what to me is the best distance race in all xc skiing. But you need a course like Planica or Beijing and 30km to really see the effects.

Judging by the results, Bolshunov, Ustiugov, Terentjev, Korostelev, Ardashev, Semikov and maybe the likes of Maltsev and Spitsov would be competitive at the worlds right now. At least from those that the international xc public knows of.

Women’s side it looks like they could have a strong relay team, but they don’t have the depth the men’s team does. What they do have is a very good u23 and Junior core, so 18-22 year olds that have been pretty darn good the last couple seasons. That’s good for them for the future. Once Terenteva (Nepryaeva) gets to top shape and Stepanova returns from her pregnancy and is in form, they will certainly vie for international podiums. That’s my view, anyway.

 

[search]

It looks like potentially really tricky waxing conditions tomorrow.

looks like this is the case indeed now. Lots of fresh, wet snow this morning, potentially turning into sleet for the women's race later on.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

These conditions are typical for the Norwegian winter along the coast (so basically entire Ski-Norway minus the inland Hovden-Geilo-Beito-Lillehammer axis) so if Norway messes up the skiis today the waxers should all be fired.
If I was a Swedish or Finnish skier I would be nervous, traditionally they have struggled much more to deliver consistent good skiis in similar conditions.

 

[DonAragona]

Today is the day the Swedish waxers throw their medals away...my prediction.

 

[Mayomaniac]

These conditions are typical for the Norwegian winter along the coast (so basically entire Ski-Norway minus the inland Hovden-Geilo-Beito-Lillehammer axis) so if Norway messes up the skiis today the waxers should all be fired.
If I was a Swedish or Finnish skier I would be nervous, traditionally they have struggled much more to deliver consistent good skiis in similar conditions.

Mainly Finns (and Russians when they raced), they always messed up with those conditions.
Cologna is picking Poromaa and Lapalus as the 2 best non-Norwegians who can still fight for a medal. I also don't think these conditions suit Anger, who is a better classic distance skier.

 

[Mayomaniac]

IMO the only place in Norway that should actually hold a WC is Lillehammer. There are 2 reasons for it, great tracks and the colder inland weather.

Cyril Fähndrich saying that this is the most important race for him and that he likes the snowfall.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

IMO the only place in Norway that should actually hold a WC is Lillehammer. There are 2 reasons for it, great tracks and the colder inland weather.

Cyril Fähndrich saying that this is the most important race for him and that he likes the snowfall.

Holmenkollen is Holmenkollen though.

NGL Sjusjøen would be fine, but it's no good for the hoppists as they'd have to come to Lillehammer anyway, which renders it rather pointless.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Now that‘s a close race we have here.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Anger seems to be fading so seems like it's the all-Norwegian podium expected unless Valnes hits a wall too at the last 800m... seems unlikely though.

edit: hadn't banked on Poromaa accelerating into the second half of the race, maybe not!

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Nyencrash