Martin Fourcade has simply been incredible this year. Would be interesting to see him do a 15 KM xc skiing race. I think he's fast enough to win against the specialists as well, particularly on a tough course where he can just jump up those hills as he usually does...Libertine Seguros said:
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- Feb 20, 2010
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Women's race a bit more interesting than the men's, owing to a third horse in it, the accurate Vita Semerenko. All came to a showdown between her and the top 2 in the WC at the final shoot; Semerenko missed 1, Neuner 2, but Domracheva 0, so the Belarusian takes another win and the Pursuit overall, while Neuner has enough to win the World Cup. Mäkäräinen shot well at the 4th to get herself up to 3rd, before passing the fatigued Semerenko on the final lap.
Interesting how in the past Valj has posted the better results overall of the Semerenko twins, but this year it's seemed like Vita's been the one with the breakthrough results while Valj has struggled a bit more.
Interesting how in the past Valj has posted the better results overall of the Semerenko twins, but this year it's seemed like Vita's been the one with the breakthrough results while Valj has struggled a bit more.
M.Fourcade and Svendsen were awfully close before the worlds, both having 3 wins and 9 podiums and being seperated by a mere ~20 points. Considering that EHS is shooting slower and hitting fewer targets this season, I think it's a bit premature to declare Martin the king of biathlon in the years to come.
I doubt MF could take on the specialists. He's hardly a dominant skier in biathlon.
I doubt MF could take on the specialists. He's hardly a dominant skier in biathlon.
Neuner's shooting form is quite rubbish (or classic Neuner) now. Before the WCH, she had shot 90% or better in 10/18 individual races and only fallen below 80% in 3/18 races. Since the worlds, she's only shot 90% or better once in six individual races and worse than 80% in half of them.
Well Lars Berger is a 10km cross-country world champion from 2007, but he's not nearly as fast now as he was then. And IIRC, when he took that gold, the level in men's xc skating was very even but somewhat mediocre. They didn't really have anyone to match today's mid-20's generation of Cologna, Northug etc.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing_at_the_2006_Winter_Olympics
Btw the MSR thread is so predictable. 75% of the posts are about wheelsucking.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross-country_skiing_at_the_2006_Winter_Olympics
Btw the MSR thread is so predictable. 75% of the posts are about wheelsucking.
- Oct 5, 2010
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The race Berger won had lots of snow in it during the later parts, where the favorites started. Berger started early and benefited from better conditions - still a great performance though.
Ole Einar has been 6th or something in the Salt Lake Olympics in the 30km, so the best biathletes could definitely challenge the pure XC racers.
But I do think it's wishful thinking to say that Fourcade would beat Cologna, Northug, or a healthy Olsson in a 15km race. He might contest the top ten though, and is probably on a level around Manificat in freestyle races.
Ole Einar has been 6th or something in the Salt Lake Olympics in the 30km, so the best biathletes could definitely challenge the pure XC racers.
But I do think it's wishful thinking to say that Fourcade would beat Cologna, Northug, or a healthy Olsson in a 15km race. He might contest the top ten though, and is probably on a level around Manificat in freestyle races.
Berger was also 4th in -05 without the luck he had in -07.
But Berger and Bjørndalen were more outstanding skiers than M.Fourcade is now. Martin isn't that special, although his WCH form was impressive.
But Berger and Bjørndalen were more outstanding skiers than M.Fourcade is now. Martin isn't that special, although his WCH form was impressive.
- Jun 7, 2010
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Nielsa said:Pierre Harvey also won the Holmenkollen 50km, back in the 80's when it was interval and real man's test.
P.S. When talking about mass start vs interval 50km; anyone remember those times when start no.50 would spend 30km latched onto the back of no.51, who would go then on to win the race.
No. 50 would be 30 secs behind, but sometimes this would be good enough for a podium position, or even 2nd place. At least with mass starts, this element of unfair chance is gone.
I wouldn't mind seeing an interval 50 again. Although the intervals would have to be greater. Say 2 minutes for the best and 1 minute for others.
- Jun 7, 2010
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Tyler'sTwin said:
Maybe there is better competition now.
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&competitorid=106984&raceid=7871
Although it's difficult to say how much this result is worth.
http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.html?sector=CC&competitorid=106984&raceid=19172
I agree with the poster who said that Fourcade can finish top 10
- Feb 20, 2010
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So, the era ends; the curtain falls on the career of Magdalena Neuner.
It would have been nice if she could have gone out with a win, and of course she was going to pick up the World Cup overall anyhow since she finished highly enough yesterday to make it a mathematical impossibility for Domracheva to catch her; but unfortunately she decided to give us a show that was Lena in a microcosm - fast start, clean prone, build up huge lead, standing meltdown. Her first standing shoot featured four misses, all over the place, and the one that went down was pretty fortunate too. Still, Lena is Lena, and that wasn't enough to stop her finishing 6th (she crossed the line 5th but Brunet had a 6 second reduction for being impeded in the range at shooting 1); leaving Domracheva and Berger to fight out the win, with the Belarusian getting the upper hand as so often this season.
Let's not forget that Magdalena is not the only retiree this weekend, however. Helena Ekholm called time on her career a few weeks ago, and left the sport as of just now as well; the Swede has unfortunately not been able to convert her improved form of the World Championships into the medals she would have wanted, and her career has sadly ended after quite a disappointing year by her high standards. The Norwegian team wore suits with "Takk Carlsen" on the legs in tribute to the long-standing NRK commentator Jon Herwig Carlsen, who has made his last call on the sport today, while Neuner aside the German women painted their faces with "Danke Marko" and "Danke Schmauli" in tribute to their retiring trainers. Olga Zaitseva threatened us with retirement last off-season; it would be a shame for her to go now, with the sport having lost two of its biggest female stars and with her not even being entered for her home events to close the season...
It would have been nice if she could have gone out with a win, and of course she was going to pick up the World Cup overall anyhow since she finished highly enough yesterday to make it a mathematical impossibility for Domracheva to catch her; but unfortunately she decided to give us a show that was Lena in a microcosm - fast start, clean prone, build up huge lead, standing meltdown. Her first standing shoot featured four misses, all over the place, and the one that went down was pretty fortunate too. Still, Lena is Lena, and that wasn't enough to stop her finishing 6th (she crossed the line 5th but Brunet had a 6 second reduction for being impeded in the range at shooting 1); leaving Domracheva and Berger to fight out the win, with the Belarusian getting the upper hand as so often this season.
Let's not forget that Magdalena is not the only retiree this weekend, however. Helena Ekholm called time on her career a few weeks ago, and left the sport as of just now as well; the Swede has unfortunately not been able to convert her improved form of the World Championships into the medals she would have wanted, and her career has sadly ended after quite a disappointing year by her high standards. The Norwegian team wore suits with "Takk Carlsen" on the legs in tribute to the long-standing NRK commentator Jon Herwig Carlsen, who has made his last call on the sport today, while Neuner aside the German women painted their faces with "Danke Marko" and "Danke Schmauli" in tribute to their retiring trainers. Olga Zaitseva threatened us with retirement last off-season; it would be a shame for her to go now, with the sport having lost two of its biggest female stars and with her not even being entered for her home events to close the season...
- Apr 7, 2011
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In a TV review of her career Neuner said something very interesting.
If you remember in Vancouver in 2010 Neuner, although winning 2 gold a and a silver medal was not included in the German relay. Back then she and the coches said that it was voluntarly decision by her.
Now in this career review she said " I knew that they did not want me be to be part of that relay." So apparently the german veterans, Willhelm, Henkel,Beck and Hauswald couldn't handle to be outshined by Neuner and had serious problems with her fame. Quiet intersting to hear that behind the scenes some relly ugly things can go on.
If you remember in Vancouver in 2010 Neuner, although winning 2 gold a and a silver medal was not included in the German relay. Back then she and the coches said that it was voluntarly decision by her.
Now in this career review she said " I knew that they did not want me be to be part of that relay." So apparently the german veterans, Willhelm, Henkel,Beck and Hauswald couldn't handle to be outshined by Neuner and had serious problems with her fame. Quiet intersting to hear that behind the scenes some relly ugly things can go on.
6 norwegians in the top 9 at the women's XC WC-final and 4 of them are quite young. Doesn't look like the norwegian dominance is about to let up anytime soon.
Haag and Richardsson have been major dissapointments for Sweden this winter. Still a more succesful swedish season that 2011, somehow.
She said back in december that she actually wanted to race in the relay and was in tears when left out. I guess they said it was voluntary to take pressure off the team. Otherwise, they would surely have been slaughtered by the press after missing out on gold. I would assume they thought her shooting was too big a question mark. Although she did shoot quite well at the olympics (like 89%), she ruined the previous two relays she took part in (Ruhpolding 2010 and the 2009 Worlds). Are you sure she was referring to other athletes and not the coaches?
I do remember getting the impression last season that she hinted at the atmosphere in the german team having improved considerably. Could just have been speculation by some journalist though, now that I think about it.
Haag and Richardsson have been major dissapointments for Sweden this winter. Still a more succesful swedish season that 2011, somehow.
Bavarianrider said:
She said back in december that she actually wanted to race in the relay and was in tears when left out. I guess they said it was voluntary to take pressure off the team. Otherwise, they would surely have been slaughtered by the press after missing out on gold. I would assume they thought her shooting was too big a question mark. Although she did shoot quite well at the olympics (like 89%), she ruined the previous two relays she took part in (Ruhpolding 2010 and the 2009 Worlds). Are you sure she was referring to other athletes and not the coaches?
I do remember getting the impression last season that she hinted at the atmosphere in the german team having improved considerably. Could just have been speculation by some journalist though, now that I think about it.
While certainly talented, I think Weng in Falun is benefiting from fatigue in many of the more established skiers.
We've seen this before, some young skier who maybe didn't compete very much in the early part of the season, and then has so much energy she beats a lot of tired veterans in the March races.
Btw her press conference does not measure up to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gqTRwi1mnlM#t=49s
We've seen this before, some young skier who maybe didn't compete very much in the early part of the season, and then has so much energy she beats a lot of tired veterans in the March races.
Btw her press conference does not measure up to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=gqTRwi1mnlM#t=49s
- Jun 7, 2010
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Having checked, Weng only missed a couple of sprints and 3 races in the tour de ski this season.
Oh really? Thanks for checking.
Trivia info, the Dutch girl who won the u18 (was it u17?19?) biathlon world champs earlier this season, lives in Sweden. Will be interesting to see if she makes the transition to the senior level in a few years.
Trivia info, the Dutch girl who won the u18 (was it u17?19?) biathlon world champs earlier this season, lives in Sweden. Will be interesting to see if she makes the transition to the senior level in a few years.
- Feb 20, 2010
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She (Chardine Sloof) entered the World Championships this year.
She was 114th in the sprint (7'32" off Neuner, with 2 penalties each in the prone and standing), and 91st in the individual (12'16" off Berger, with 1 penalty at each of the first three shoots and 2 at the final standing). However, the Junior World Champs were a season target for her, so it is understandable that she might be fatigued. Earlier in the season she entered a few events; in Östersund she was 71st in the sprint (3'42" off Neuner with 1 penalty in each shoot) and 78th in the individual (11'37" off Domracheva, but with one miss at each prone and 5 misses at the standing shoots. If she'd shot clear, she'd have been top 20), and was top 25 in the Sprint, Pursuit and Individual (top 20 in the Sprint and Individual) in the European Championships. So there are some promising signs.
She was 114th in the sprint (7'32" off Neuner, with 2 penalties each in the prone and standing), and 91st in the individual (12'16" off Berger, with 1 penalty at each of the first three shoots and 2 at the final standing). However, the Junior World Champs were a season target for her, so it is understandable that she might be fatigued. Earlier in the season she entered a few events; in Östersund she was 71st in the sprint (3'42" off Neuner with 1 penalty in each shoot) and 78th in the individual (11'37" off Domracheva, but with one miss at each prone and 5 misses at the standing shoots. If she'd shot clear, she'd have been top 20), and was top 25 in the Sprint, Pursuit and Individual (top 20 in the Sprint and Individual) in the European Championships. So there are some promising signs.
- Jul 13, 2009
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Ekholm's retirement really rips the guts out of Swedish women's biathlon. Zidek's at the end of last season came as no surprise (due to age) but there really has been no progression from the lower rungs of the team. Hogberg & Stroemstedt haven't progressed & aren't realistically likely to. Jenny Jonsson shoots brilliantly but is just not competitive on the tracks. Nillson "flattered to deceive" with an early season podium but that has proven to be anomaly.
My semi-serious suggestion has been "teach Charlotte Kalla to shoot !!". Whilst she is undeniably in the top 3 "skaters" in women's X-C, she has been unlucky that her career so far has coincided with 2 dominant figures in Bjoergen & Kowalczyk. Whilst she can expect to collect podiums, WCup & championship victories are likely to be irregular - given she is at a lower level in classic esp over distance.
Mind you, Swedish women's X-C doesn't appear to be chock-full with depth. Ingamarsdottir has advanced into a leading sprints contender but Haag has plateaued & the likes of Rydqvist haven't progressed. Still, it WOULD be aesthetically enjoyable to watch the likes of Kalla & Domracheva battle it out on the tracks.
Berger's retirement leaves NOR women in an interesting state. Solemdal moved forward this season & there were periodic signs from Ringen & Eckhoff but little consistency. Flatland missed this season due to "baby break" .... does anyone know whether she may be back as she WAS a 2010-11 WCup race winner & WOULD add the necessary experience quotient.
My semi-serious suggestion has been "teach Charlotte Kalla to shoot !!". Whilst she is undeniably in the top 3 "skaters" in women's X-C, she has been unlucky that her career so far has coincided with 2 dominant figures in Bjoergen & Kowalczyk. Whilst she can expect to collect podiums, WCup & championship victories are likely to be irregular - given she is at a lower level in classic esp over distance.
Mind you, Swedish women's X-C doesn't appear to be chock-full with depth. Ingamarsdottir has advanced into a leading sprints contender but Haag has plateaued & the likes of Rydqvist haven't progressed. Still, it WOULD be aesthetically enjoyable to watch the likes of Kalla & Domracheva battle it out on the tracks.
Berger's retirement leaves NOR women in an interesting state. Solemdal moved forward this season & there were periodic signs from Ringen & Eckhoff but little consistency. Flatland missed this season due to "baby break" .... does anyone know whether she may be back as she WAS a 2010-11 WCup race winner & WOULD add the necessary experience quotient.
- May 29, 2011
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Now that the season is pretty much wrapped up, I'd like to thank all the active contributors of this thread. It was a nice ride thru and thru.
E: shooting skills notwithstanding, kalla with a gun sounds deadly purely for semantic reasons.
to a finn anyway.
E: shooting skills notwithstanding, kalla with a gun sounds deadly purely for semantic reasons.
to a finn anyway.
- Apr 7, 2011
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