Nordic Skiing/Biathlon Thread

[Eddy Evenepoel]

On the men’s side, the field was unusually tight, with no standout. Even Preben Horven, a young Norwegian first‑year senior usually nowhere near the best, was up second on Sunday’s skate race — something that suggests the level in that field may not have been very high.

Horven is starting his 4th season among the elites now, and even if he's had some problems his talent is definitiviely there. You dont get to do Junior Worlds or U23 Worlds as a Norwegian male without a good level and in 2023 he was 16th at Norwegian Champs in 15 skate, ahead of for example Nyenget, Mörk and Moseby.

Last year he was around position 30 in several races in Norwegian Championship, Norwegian Cup and Scandinavian Cup, and from 30th in these races you dont have to make a huge step up to be competitive in the field where except Moch no one should be really close to a top 6 in a World Cup race over 10 km skate.

 

[OJRvE]

Horven is starting his 4th season among the elites now, and even if he's had some problems his talent is definitiviely there. You dont get to do Junior Worlds or U23 Worlds as a Norwegian male without a good level and in 2023 he was 16th at Norwegian Champs in 15 skate, ahead of for example Nyenget, Mörk and Moseby.

Last year he was around position 30 in several races in Norwegian Championship, Norwegian Cup and Scandinavian Cup, and from 30th in these races you dont have to make a huge step up to be competitive in the field where except Moch no one should be really close to a top 6 in a World Cup race over 10 km skate.

Thanks must have mixed him up with someone else

 

[QueenStagiaire]

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LS has to be partying at the moment.

 

[Sciatic]

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LS has to be partying at the moment.

Had the same thought. Of course, she'll probably come back as a broadcaster . . .

 

[OJRvE]

Dahlqvist looked convincing in the sprint yesterday in Gällivare. On the mens side U23-champion Grahn who is taller than Anger won ahead of Anger but he had better skis.

Skistad and Myhlback looks good but they have had arguments with the jury. Not sure if Myhlback will be in Ruka

Klaebo looks good as usual won both sprint and distance with ease.

 

[OJRvE]

Karlsson looked absolutely awful both today and in the sprint. She has not been on snow since WCH which is a bit strange but it’s gonna be interesting to see how she will build her form. Andersson and Sundling good but not great. But all things considered Andersson will be huge favorite in Ruka where the Swedish women always performs

 

[dobrien]

Karlsson looked absolutely awful both today and in the sprint. She has not been on snow since WCH which is a bit strange but it’s gonna be interesting to see how she will build her form. Andersson and Sundling good but not great. But all things considered Andersson will be huge favorite in Ruka where the Swedish women always performs

All the Norwegians flying as expected in the vicious bloodsport otherwise known as "Competition For Norwegian World Cup Starts". Most interesting result of the weekend for me was converted biathlete Einar Hedegart taking the Beitestolen Mens Skate today; pretty big win considering the insane level of Norwegian racing and it will be interesting to follow his progression this year. Guys like Toenseth finishing 27th, Moseby in 45th, might as well be finishing 300th. That isn't going to get them there.

Laukli at 16th today, not amazing but again, the Norwegians are flying and Sophia is, after Diggins, arguably the second best US skier so she doesn't need to be awesome at the moment.

Poromaa back in 19th for the men and also did not look particularly great but I think the Swedes have guaranteed certain men and women places on the national team for the Olympics so he may be a little further back in his training. I think Andersson is going to be monstrous this year, just a feeling. Looking forward to Ruka; opening WC weekend is always fun.

 

[OJRvE]

Andersson, Sundling, Karlsson, Anger and Poromaa are preselected for the Olympics. Poromaa was supposed to start today but opted out cause he wasn’t feeling alright.

Halfvarsson and Burman really bad but Burman might get a Ruka spot anyway.

Hedegart is impressive, he is not the fastest biathlete but he says he doesn’t like to ski with the rifle on his back and doesn’t love the “shooting breaks” either. Also he think he prefers the fast conditions of today.