a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPXyAJHx7I/AAAAAAAAEmk/TH31oeNTOwA/s1600/DSC_0242.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPXyAJHx7I/AAAAAAAAEmk/TH31oeNTOwA/s400/DSC_0242.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522494822118049714″ //aThis afternoon we worked on our specific upper body strength. 5 km single stick, 5 km double pole, repeat, then a warm down. It was a beautiful calm day and since we were at Ball Mtn Dam, we only saw 2 cars.br /Usually peak folliage comes in early October, but with the wind and the rain that is expected tomorrow (2-4″), we might have seen the best of it today.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPXVvfCrqI/AAAAAAAAEmc/yMIbrPgzYnM/s1600/DSC_0253.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPXVvfCrqI/AAAAAAAAEmc/yMIbrPgzYnM/s400/DSC_0253.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522494336610250402″ //a”Be a tiger”.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPWmTOw-dI/AAAAAAAAEmU/mRrnfb80oII/s1600/DSC_0258.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPWmTOw-dI/AAAAAAAAEmU/mRrnfb80oII/s400/DSC_0258.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522493521571936722″ //aUp the hill.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPWHSCd7qI/AAAAAAAAEmM/c19NXhp0doI/s1600/DSC_0260.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPWHSCd7qI/AAAAAAAAEmM/c19NXhp0doI/s400/DSC_0260.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522492988675976866″ //aPeek-a-boo.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPVrIVVQrI/AAAAAAAAEmE/XoHmUCSSJRE/s1600/DSC_0261.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPVrIVVQrI/AAAAAAAAEmE/XoHmUCSSJRE/s400/DSC_0261.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522492505034408626″ //aMutt and Jeff.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPVDAJHS-I/AAAAAAAAEl8/3WCUxX9gVRA/s1600/DSC_0269.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPVDAJHS-I/AAAAAAAAEl8/3WCUxX9gVRA/s400/DSC_0269.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522491815640910818″ //aHallie and Cam during their 2nd 5 km single stick.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPUJ78OThI/AAAAAAAAEl0/QAYRAh0l6GE/s1600/DSC_0270.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPUJ78OThI/AAAAAAAAEl0/QAYRAh0l6GE/s400/DSC_0270.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522490835260558866″ //aWhile everyone else was getting in their specific strength endurance workout, Skyler had a sprint workout. He started with our BMD double pole test as a prelim and then skied 3 longer “heats”. Great news…he set a PR in the double pole test (2:24) and learned some good things during his heats.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPTqXEk4EI/AAAAAAAAEls/Buj94Qsy_TU/s1600/DSC_0278.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPTqXEk4EI/AAAAAAAAEls/Buj94Qsy_TU/s400/DSC_0278.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522490292787535938″ //aYoung guns.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPTImAr8OI/AAAAAAAAElk/BwNLjqAwCoI/s1600/DSC_0283.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPTImAr8OI/AAAAAAAAElk/BwNLjqAwCoI/s400/DSC_0283.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522489712682201314″ //aWorking it.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPSahCQZrI/AAAAAAAAElc/B09uHPaIqnM/s1600/DSC_0286.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPSahCQZrI/AAAAAAAAElc/B09uHPaIqnM/s400/DSC_0286.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522488921072625330″ //aThe girls on their warm down.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPR8APn9PI/AAAAAAAAElU/WJ3WAwH54F8/s1600/DSC_0287.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPR8APn9PI/AAAAAAAAElU/WJ3WAwH54F8/s400/DSC_0287.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522488396874249458″ //aNice day eh?br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPRc8xJAqI/AAAAAAAAElM/5hedW7xiFxk/s1600/DSC_0290.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPRc8xJAqI/AAAAAAAAElM/5hedW7xiFxk/s400/DSC_0290.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522487863365141154″ //aReal nice, boys, real nice.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPQxmtk6FI/AAAAAAAAElE/QRBi7Y-dKm0/s1600/DSC_0295.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 218px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPQxmtk6FI/AAAAAAAAElE/QRBi7Y-dKm0/s400/DSC_0295.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522487118710237266″ //aAt the end of the day, the group tried a “flying wedge”. It didn’t really work…the poles were in danger and thankfully they pulled up/out to save the equipment.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPQW_l72KI/AAAAAAAAEk8/BquET9W8vtc/s1600/DSC_0298.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPQW_l72KI/AAAAAAAAEk8/BquET9W8vtc/s400/DSC_0298.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522486661532604578″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPP3hSRX6I/AAAAAAAAEk0/WGQqzdAfYUA/s1600/DSC_0308.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TKPP3hSRX6I/AAAAAAAAEk0/WGQqzdAfYUA/s400/DSC_0308.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5522486120821120930″ //aPost workout team picture.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-6452567457253336806?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

The connection is pretty obvious, actually.  Both are mass start races that involve switching activities at least once during the race.  The change in activities is certainly more extreme in triathlon, but you get my drift.

Some people (like, say, me) complain on occasion that pursuit races in cross-country skiing place too great an emphasis on the skating portion.  The order of techniques has settled into always doing classic first and then skating for practical reasons (having the classic skis waxed properly and delivered at the right time would be hectic, to say the least).  But the result has been races that plod^<1 along during the classic half and then finally people start to accelerate during the later stages of the skating portion.

The triathlon data I ran into recently happened to give a very stark picture of what happens to the relative importance of each activity in these types of races.  While noodling around with the data, I plotted scatterplot matrices of the ranks for each stage of the triathlon for men and women (click through for larger versions):

All I’ve done here is to extract the ranks for each portion of each triathlon (Swim, Bike, Run) and the final overall rank and plotted each one against each other.  So while each plot has 16 panels, you’ll notice that half of them are just reflections of another one.

For the moment look at just the top row of each graph, which shows the rank of the Swim, Bike and Run portions versus the overall rank that you end up in the entire race.  It’s very clear what’s happening.  The run is extremely highly correlated with your overall place, while the bike is less so and the swim even less so.  Being the fastest swimmer or biker isn’t very important.  Being the fastest runner is extremely important.  For the men, in fact, the lack of correlation in the swim and bike portions is astounding; the point cloud is almost perfectly rectangular!

I think this type of thing will happen anytime you have a mass start race that changes activities part way through, although there are some other factors at play in the particular example of triathlons.  There’s probably some psychological stuff going on that would be interesting to investigate I suppose.  Obviously, the nature of swimming (and the length of the swim) will make it inherently difficult to “break away”, while the fact that drafting is permitted during the bike makes it downright foolish to try something during the bike, I’d imagine.

I wish split time data were easier to scrape from WC results, since then I could make similar plots for the XC pursuits.  Other than playing with the order (classic first, then skating) I suppose FIS could try adding time bonuses for the classic portion of the pursuit.  It would be tough to implement, though, since you couldn’t just base it on what place you are in after the classic portion.  You’d have to use the actual time gaps of the top 3 skiers, say, over the 4th skier, and award time bonuses equal to the gaps.  Even that wouldn’t work well.

Ah, but how about the really crazy looking panels in these graphs?  You know, the Bike vs. Swim panels!  Apparently there are a small number of racers who are good at both, and a slightly larger group that are bad at both.  But for the overwhelming majority, how well you do in the swim in inversely related to how well you do in the bike!  Are these people who are actually trying to break away during the swim and blowing up?  I kind of doubt that.  In any case, those scatterplots were just too wacky looking not to share…

Related posts:

1. <How I Learned to Start Worrying and Hate the F-Factor (Part 1)
2. <Bjoern Daehlie vs Thomas Alsgaard
3. <More Tour de France Data Visualizations

The CXC Team and I are out in Lake Placid, NY for 17 days of training at the US Olympic Training Center.  After a summer of mostly easy-volume training and L3 intervals we finally had the chance to open it up with my favorite workout, on my favorite climb in New York.

Outside of Keene, NY there is a small road that climbs in steps for about 12 minutes.  We walk part of the way down during our recovery and are able to get 3 intervals done before shuttling down in the van.

6 x 4 minutes at L4 felt great.  I felt more relaxed striding than ever before.  That is not to say that we all weren’t pushing each other.  I finished the last interval with a lactate of 15.7.  I love it.

Here are some pics from cooling down after work the last few days.

The Stratton Mountain School will host three winter programs for young, aspiring skiers this season. These popular programs include intensive technique work and the opportunity to work with the SMS nordic team and coaches. br /The program dates are : November 27-December 1 (this is a trip to Quebec for early skiing). January 20-23 at SMS and February 16-19 at SMS.br /The programs will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. We are limiting participants to 1 session.br /

Mac Fisher SMS ’12 and Tyler Foulkes SMS ’13 have a website up and running. Check out their videos filmed with a sweet GO-PRO helmet camera.br /br /

With more North Americans sojourning over to Europe to participate in high-level European racing that isn’t quite World Cups, I thought it might be interesting to take a closer look at the OPA (or Alpen) Cup and Scandinavian Cup series in a bit more detail.

As the name might imply, the Scandinavian Cup races are in, well, Scandinavia.  The racers are nearly all from Norway, Finland and Sweden (although Estonia has a large showing as well).  The OPA Cups are more continental European affairs, with racers coming mainly from Italy, Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria, among others.

Both circuits are, to my knowledge, generally considered a sort of “minor league” racing circuit just below the World Cup.  To get some sense of the competitiveness of these races, here’s a plot of the FIS points awarded to the top five finishers in distance events in each circuit:

For the men, the two series seem roughly on par while the women’s Scandinavian Cups appear slightly more competitive.  Of course, this assumes we trust the system of assigning race penalties to accurately gauge the strength of the field on a particular day.

For comparison, the US SuperTour series (probably the highest level racing circuit in the US) has in recent years seen penalties (i.e. the FIS points awarded to the winner) averaging in the neighborhood of 40-60 FIS points for men and 80-100 FIS points for women.

Related posts:

1. <Variability In World Cup Ski Racers
2. <How Well Prepared Are World Cup Rookies? (Part 1a: Distance)
3. <How Well Prepared Are World Cup Rookies? (Part 2a: Sprint)

But we’ve been busy.

This fall we’ve had a trio training full-time for skiing, most folks running XC and a pair zipping through the pool (an exciting first for the program!).  It makes for small groups at training sessions most of the time which allows for lots of one-on-one time to work on technique and discuss the finer aspects of training and competition as they relate to individuals.  It has also been a chance for us coaches to take a little break to head back east to our respective fams before the rush of winter starts winding up in October.

Since I am a dork, on my trip I took the opportunity to swing through Rumford, ME, the site of Sr. Nationals the next two years, to see the changes they had made since I was last there.  Things look pretty cool, and certainly got my heart pumping a little faster with excitement.  To any sane person, it’s rather boring.  To show you just what I mean here’s a shot of the enlarged stadium with new lap lane (what?!? no more going over the road?!?) complete with two old timing buildings that will be razed before winter.

Oh the excitement…

Enough with those pictures.  Here’s a sampling from the weekend’s activities:

Kira crosses the line in the Region VI JV race

Hannah working on some no-pole bounding

Stefan ditto

Vanya

Megan and Lizer stalk the lead: Region VI Champs

Sunday Group Ski

Blue skies, fall colors and smiles

The afternoon sun is low: winter approaches

First things first-I’m back! Back not only to my blog and my western home, but also to training 100%. Recovering from an injury is never easy, but after a couple weeks of careful practice, I’ve been able to complete all my normal training for the past weeks, and even had a couple of really solid time trials. The athletic trainers at the OTC have told me I’m “not injured” and should train as usual. I’ve still be icing every once in a while to prevent soreness, but mostly things are back to normal. Just in time…

Photo-op in the foothills above Boise.

As we have done this time of year for the past several years, the US Biathlon team is now in Utah for our fall altitude camp. I always love coming west in the fall-the weather is fantastic, training is starting to become more specific as winter approaches, and I get to spend a couple days at home seeing my family and friends. This time my trip home was made extra special because I was being inducted into the Boise High School (my alma mater) Hall of Fame. Boise High has had 4 Olympians, and three of us were at the Homecoming football game to be inducted during halftime. All Boise city high schools play varsity football on the now famous blue turf of Boise State University, so it was a fun experience to be on the field that was showcased the next night on national television. I’d also like to think that the presence of three Olympic athletes helped infuse the field with a little luck that helped BSU to a win over Oregon State!

Olympic tailgate before the Boise High Homecoming Game.

Receiving my plaque for the BHS Hall of Fame out on the blue turf!

Boise High Olympians: Lisa Kosglow (BHS ’92, Olympian ’98 & ’02), Sandra Shellworth Hildner (BHS ’62, Olympian ’68), Sara Studebaker (BHS ’03, Olympian ’10)

I arrived in Utah last night. I’ll be spending the next week with the men’s A and B teams until the women’s B Team arrives on Saturday. It should be a great camp-the weather is shaping up to be perfect and our coaches are looking forward to lots of ski specific training and focused work before we get on snow next month. It’s hard to believe the season is just around the corner, but feeling fall in the air is getting me excited to ski! It won’t be long now…

Black Bass, anyone?

Apple Picking in Maine near my aunt and uncle’s house.

Bouldering near Saranac Lake with a few of my teammates. Coaching extends beyond biathlon-thanks Patrick!

a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5DSyblqMI/AAAAAAAAEks/ibJbLcRIq0k/s1600/IMG_8560.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5DSyblqMI/AAAAAAAAEks/ibJbLcRIq0k/s400/IMG_8560.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520924183257000130″ //aWhat a day! Comfortable temperatures, brilliant folliage, a guest appearance from Andy and a good combi OD before a team lunch provided by Lilly, some football and the Peru Fair.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5C0HAzyVI/AAAAAAAAEkk/TOuoh_HH06Y/s1600/IMG_8563.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5C0HAzyVI/AAAAAAAAEkk/TOuoh_HH06Y/s400/IMG_8563.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520923656205879634″ //aClick on any picture to enlarge.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5CUazFZuI/AAAAAAAAEkc/pqlw4y69XsY/s1600/IMG_8564.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5CUazFZuI/AAAAAAAAEkc/pqlw4y69XsY/s400/IMG_8564.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520923111761209058″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5CDIVoZsI/AAAAAAAAEkU/5E89UjCWIR0/s1600/IMG_8566.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 192px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5CDIVoZsI/AAAAAAAAEkU/5E89UjCWIR0/s400/IMG_8566.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520922814748059330″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5BtumsbRI/AAAAAAAAEkM/NEY6bVlENxY/s1600/IMG_8568.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5BtumsbRI/AAAAAAAAEkM/NEY6bVlENxY/s400/IMG_8568.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520922447063051538″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5BPt5AFLI/AAAAAAAAEkE/Lp_MPV1HJIc/s1600/IMG_8572.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5BPt5AFLI/AAAAAAAAEkE/Lp_MPV1HJIc/s400/IMG_8572.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520921931475326130″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5A1psL1DI/AAAAAAAAEj8/nT0oSU4Hd24/s1600/IMG_8573.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ5A1psL1DI/AAAAAAAAEj8/nT0oSU4Hd24/s400/IMG_8573.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520921483671229490″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4_-kuFfeI/AAAAAAAAEjs/rKnZQMeSy6Y/s1600/IMG_8582.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4_-kuFfeI/AAAAAAAAEjs/rKnZQMeSy6Y/s400/IMG_8582.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520920537444220386″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4_VgVph2I/AAAAAAAAEjk/WNVL7_jrxqw/s1600/IMG_8583.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4_VgVph2I/AAAAAAAAEjk/WNVL7_jrxqw/s400/IMG_8583.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520919831893346146″ //abr /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4-stBZ7vI/AAAAAAAAEjc/HCE6j7FGUi0/s1600/IMG_8585.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4-stBZ7vI/AAAAAAAAEjc/HCE6j7FGUi0/s400/IMG_8585.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520919130923462386″ //aThe early afternoon football classic.br /a onblur=”try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}” href=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4-AUkHsyI/AAAAAAAAEjU/0XQwFvOsMv0/s1600/IMG_8588.JPG”img style=”display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;” src=”http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H2SCM3lmKm8/TJ4-AUkHsyI/AAAAAAAAEjU/0XQwFvOsMv0/s400/IMG_8588.JPG” border=”0″ alt=””id=”BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520918368443937570″ //aWaiting for the “long bomb”.br /Now it’s time for the Peru Fair.div class=”blogger-post-footer”img width=’1′ height=’1′ src=’https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/4680416899705879324-1953695865219537803?l=smsxc.blogspot.com’ alt=” //div

My real job started up again this week, so there aren’t going to be very many 5-6 post’s per week happening for a while…

• On Monday I shared some summary statistics on a whole bunch of skiers showing how often they finishing in the top 3, top 5, etc. over their entire careers.
• The Vuelta a Espa&ntilde;a wrapped up this past weekend, so I posted the final versions of the GC bump charts for the race.
• We took a look at skiers who have specialized in a particular technique (classic or skating).  Most people do both types of races, but there are some people who really only focus on races of one technique…but they are pretty rare.
• Since whining about commenters on FasterSkier.com is practically a cliche among the nordic community these days, I thought it would be funny to look at a word cloud for FasterSkier comments.  The internet kindly responded with one for this blog.  Huzzah!
• The final career retrospective post went up today (finally!) taking a look at German biathlete Kati Wilhelm and her wonderful, wonderful red hair.

Related posts:

1. <Week In Review: Friday July 16th
2. <Week In Review: Friday July 30th
3. <Week In Review: Friday Sep 3rd