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  • Whistler Olympic Park – Nordic Action Set to Start with Women’s Biathlon

    Whistler, British Columbia – The first Nordic medal event of the 2010 Olympic Games kicks off at 1:00PM local time.  The women’s 7.5km biathlon sprint features 89 starters, with a maximum of four from any one nation.

    The US with four women at the Olympics will start a full contingent, Laura Spector, Haley Johnson, Sara Studebaker, and Lanny Barnes.  The Canadians will also start four – Rosanna Crawford, Zina Kocher, Megan Imrie and Megan Tandy.   Both teams are young and relatively inexperienced – at least from an Olympic standpoint.  Only Barnes and Ko21cher have raced at the Olympics before, both in 2006.

    The US squad is here mainly for experience, and medals are not a realistic goal.  “For the women, it is mainly about experience,” said US head coach Per Nilsson.  “We are looking ahead to 2014 for medals.”

    The Canadians have a better chance at a top result with Kocher, who has stood on the World Cup  podium.  As is often the case in biathlon, Kocher’s results have been all over the map in recent seasons, but she has the shown the ability to skin in the top-15 on a good day.  Chances for a medal, however, are slim, especially given the depth of the women’s field.

    The biathlon sprint format is unrelated to the cross-country sprint, and pre-dates the heat-based xc format by many years.  The term sprint is appropriate in that it refers to the shortest biathlon format – in this case 7.5km for the women and 10km for the men.  Athletes will shoot only twice – once prone and once standing – with a 2.5km ski loop in between.  For every target missed a 150 meter penalty loop is skied.  As usual, good shooting is key, and it will be a challenge to have a shot at the podium with more than one miss.

    One woman who has done just that is Magdalena Neuner (GER).  Neuner is one of four German medal favorites competing.  She has been regularly posting the fastest ski times by a significant margin on the World Cup, but has been held back by poor shooting.  In January, she showed signs of rounding into form, with improved shooting and several podium finishes.  Only 23, she enters the race as one of the top skiers to watch.

    It is not at all out of the question that the Germans could sweep the podium.  Neuner is joined on the start list by Kati Wilhelm, a three-time gold medalist, Andrea Henkel, with two golds under her belt, and Simone Hauswald, the 2009 silver medalist at the World Championships.

    Henkel, Hauswald, Wilhelm, and Neuner currently hold places 2,3,4 and 6 in the overall World Cup standings.

    Their main competition – other than each other, will come from Helena Jonsson (SWE), the overall World Cup leader.  Jonsson has won three World Cup races this year, and has been second in three more.  She also won the overall World Cup title last year and the gold in the pursuit at the 2009 World Championships.  This is her first Olympics.

    Jonsson is the clear favorite, and her consistency has been very impressive this season.

    One factor that adds to the already challenging sport is the weather.  It is currently raining in Whistler, and a combination of snow and rain, potentially heavy at times, is predicted for this afternoon.  This could make shooting extremely difficult and result in some surprising performances.

    FasterSkier Predictions:

    Gold: Helena Jonsson (SWE)

    Silver: Magdalena Neuner (GER)

    Bronze: Olga Medvedtseva (RUS)

    Top Canadian: Zina Kocher 17th

    Top American: Haley Johnson 34th

    Complete start list is currently available here.

  • Sprint Day in Canmore – Video Preview and Photos

    Sprint Day in Canmore – Video Preview and Photos

    Canmore, Alberta – Rumor has it that there are days when the sun does not shine in Canmore, but over the course of two World Cup weekends, we have yet to see it.  Cold, hard tracks await the sprint qualifier set to start in less than an hour.  The stadium is still in shadow, and the snow will remain cold for the qualifier.

    Nat Herz chatted with US Coach Pat Casey.  Interview below, with photos after.

    Nat getting the scoop from Pat Casey (USST)
    Nat getting the scoop from Pat Casey (USST)

    One interesting note on the qualifier – according to athletes, only one track will be available on the course for the qualifier. This means no unlimited track switching (and skating in between). During the heats, the full compliment of tracks will obviously be open. While this eliminates a certain amount of decision-making, and hence strategy, from the qualifier, it should also cut down on skating.  You can read FasterSkier’s course and race preview here.

    Norway testing skis - the top Norwegians are not here, but that doesn't mean they won't be battling for the podium
    Norway testing skis – the top Norwegians are not here, but that doesn't mean they won't be battling for the podium
    More testing - the tracks on the left are on the descent into the finish stretch
    More testing – the tracks on the left are on the descent into the finish stretch

  • And Now For The Sprint…

    Canmore, Alberta – World Cup racing continues tomorrow with a classic sprint on a new course at the Canmore Nordic Center.

    Two years ago when the World Cup came to town, many of the men opted to double pole the classic sprint on skate skis.  Since then FIS has worked to hold longer, more challenging classic sprints to avoid this.  Canmore is no exception.  The sprint course has been re-routed to add one large climb for the women and two for the men.  Said US Ski Team coach Matt Whitcomb, “they put together a hell of a course in response to two years ago.:

    The climbs are steep and long enough that it is unlikely anyone would attempt to double pole.  The one drawback is that the loop is not quite as spectator friendly.  Certain vantage points on the old course allowed fans to see the entire loop.  Now racers will disappear for a significant portion.

    Course Preview

    The race starts in the main stadium area and heads up the base of first hill from today’s distance race.  But before the grade steepens, it swings a hard left, sending racers up and around a 180 degree turn into a flat and downhill.

    The first real climb starts after the small descent.  The women peel off halfway up heading to the right.  At this point the course is identical to the old one.  The men, on the other hand, continue straight up the hill hitting a steeper section.  This is basically an out-and-back.  Skiers will do another 180, this one tight around v-boards, and descend back the main course.

    From this point on, the men and women again follow the same path.  A gradual hill and flat leads into the last climb – a steep pitch of 50 meters.  The top marks the high point of the course.

    A short flat, and then down the big descent.  The downhill includes a fast corner under a bridge and then a long gradual drop to the stadium.  As with all races in Canmore, the finish is 200 meters of gradual uphill.

    The course features several technical areas.  For the men, the 180 degree turn at the top of the first big climb is a likely spot for tangled equipment and crashes.  They will not be carrying high speed into the turn since it is on an uphill, but it is so tight that there will surely be issues.

    The other spot is the downhill under the bridge.  The corner is fast and could get icy.

    Despite the fact that there is 500 meters of descending after the last real climb, the tough finish stretch will make for close races and leave open the potential for comebacks.

    The men’s course is 1.7 kilometers, the women’s 1.45.

    The Field

    73 men and 67 women are scheduled to start.  Many of the top sprinters will not be present, notably the Norwegians.  But there will be no lack of competition.  The sprint field is always extremely tight, and tomorrow should be no different.  Making the heats will not be easy.

    The Men

    The clear favorite in the men’s race is Emil Joensson of Sweden.  Joensson has always raced well in Canmore and was in top form in January.

    He will be challenged by teammates Bjorn Lind and Teodor Peterson.  And while the Norwegian “A-Team” won’t be there, Anders Gloeersen and John Kristian Dahl are hardly slouches.

    This could also be a big opportunity for Andy Newell to reach the podium.  Newell has been consistent all season, but has been unable to crack the top-4.  With a slightly weaker field and a familiar course, Newell could be well placed to post a top result.

    The Women

    Despite a sub-par performance in the 10k today, Petra Majdic (SLO) is the easy choice for a victory tomorrow.  Majdic is a beast in the classic sprint, and her ability in both striding and double pole will serve her well.  As usual Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) will be a threat.  Kowalczyk, who almost never misses a start, needs big hills.  This course should give her the opportunity to show her climbing strength.

    It will be interesting to see how young Hannah Falk fares.  The 21 year-old exploded onto the World Cup scene this season with a victory and several top five results.  She can solidify her spot as an Olympic medal favorite with a strong race tomorrow.

    Katja Visnar (SLO) and Alena Prochazkova (SVK) will also challenge for a top finish.

    As usual, in a sprint race, anything can happen.  There should be plenty of action.

  • Warm Temperatures, Decent Conditions Await Nationals Distance Racers-Updated With Video Preview

    Video preview of the 10/15k distance course for tomorrow’s races with SuperTour Distance Champion James Southam.

    ANCHORAGE – Three tough climbs, two or three times. That’s what’s in store for the racers here who will tackle the U.S. National Championship 10/15k distance freestyle race tomorrow. With temperatures warming and a difficult but straightforward course, there should be nothing to hinder the strongest athletes from rising to the top.

    Currently the course is groomed very firm, but with about an inch of light frozen granular snow sitting on top. With some patches of dirt already showing through in a number of places, by the time the last of the 300 starters makes their way around the 5k loop, things could get a bit messy.

    Taking this into consideration, USSA Nordic Director John Farra said that the race jury opted to send the top sixty athletes out first tomorrow—with the fastest of those racing last—to ensure that the course is in the best shape for the best athletes.

    For the waxing, “dirt is going to be an issue,” said CXC Junior Coach and Wax Tech John Hugus.

    Something with molybdenum—a type of wax used to resist dirt and wear—is “probably going to be on the line,” he said.

    As for the layout of the course, the 5k loop starts by easing its way out of the stadium for about a kilometer before a long downhill leads sharply into the first climb—a short steep ramp that slowly crests into another descent.

    Then comes the most challenging portion of the course—a long, switchbacking hill that “is going to be the decider,” said CXC’s Rebecca Dussault.

    “This is where I’m going to be really glad I live at 8,000 feet,” she said.

    The hill pitches steadily upwards for about half a kilometer and 135 vertical feet, with rolling terrain at the top offering no real respite for another 200 meters or so. At the bottom of the ensuing descent, the next climb begins quickly, and it’s another tough one—500 meters of up with a quick break in the middle.

    From the top of that last hill, it’s a bit less than a kilometer of smooth, flowing descent back into the stadium, where racers will loop around for another lap, or two—the women ski it twice, the men three times.

    “It’s sweet—I’m psyched,” said the U.S. Ski Team’s Noah Hoffman. “It’s all up and down. It skis tough, but it flows.”

    For the women, Kikkan Randall is again a favorite after her strong early season of distance racing on the World Cup circuit in Europe. She’ll also be competing on trails in her home city, which her APU teammate Laura Valaas said should give members of the club an advantage—especially on the course’s one steep downhill.

    Liz Stephen and Morgan Arritola, Randall’s two female compatriots on the World Cup, also have the potential to turn out a strong performance tomorrow. APU’s Holly Brooks has been tearing up the domestic distance circuit. And after her second-place showing in the sprint yesterday, Dussault could also compete for the win—especially since she has typically excelled over longer distances.

    On the men’s side, the fitness that has taken Kris Freeman to a pair of top-ten World Cup finishes this winter should allow him to score a win with ease tomorrow. James Southam, an Alaskan who was 33rd in the World Championship 30k pursuit last year, probably has some of the best chances of coming close, but even he may not be able to do so—especially over the less-demanding 15k distance.

    Besides Southam, Garrott Kuzzy, Noah Hoffman, and Leif Zimmerman have all skied well on the domestic circuit. On a good day, one of them could get close to Freeman. But don’t bet on it.

    Check back late today or early tomorrow for a video preview of the course with James Southam.

  • US and Canada To Start Relay

    Beitostolen, Norway – World Cup racing continues tomorrow with a 4×5/10km relay.  Canada will field both a men’s and women’s team, while the US will represent in the men’s race.

    The Beitostolen realy is the only such event prior to the Olympics, so there will not be another opportunity to see how team’s measure up.

    Canada is missing a key member of their squad – George Grey.  Grey is recovering from an injury and will be replaced by Graham Nishikawa.  Devon Kershaw will scramble as usualy for the Canadians.  He will be followed by Ivan Babikov, and then Akex Harvey.  Notmally Grey would ski the second leg, and Harvey the anchor, but tomorrow’s lineup will give the Canadians the best opportunity to stay toward the front for as long as possible.

    Canada did not have a great day today, with Babikov posting the top result – 28th.

    The US will be led by Kris Freeman in the scramble leg. Freeman has a history of strong results in relays, and tomorrow should be no different.  He will be followed by sprinters Torin Koos and Andy Newell before Lars Flora brings it home.

    With Andy Newell coming off his best international distance result last weekend in an FIS race, the US will be shooting for a mid-pack finish – though most likely the team will be toward the back.

    The favorite, Norway, will run Eldar Ronning, Martin Sunrud Johnsby, Ronny Hafsaas, and Peter Northug.  Hafsaas, a strong biathlete, won today’s 15km skate.  If he can repeat that performance, expect Norway to top the podium.

    In an interesting variation, Germany has moved Axel Teichmann out of the anchor spot.  Tobias Angerer will close and Teichmann takes the second leg.  This means Teichmann will not match up with Northug – most ski fans will remember how Northug abused Teichmann in the World Championship relay last year.

    In addition to the Germans, there are anoth half dozen teams who could challenge for the win on any given day.  Italy, Finland and France all should be strong.  Sweden, with two young and inexperienced skiers in addition to veterans Johan Olsson and Marcus Hellner are an unkown quantity.

    And any of the other three Norwegian teams could definitely be compettive for a podium finish.

    On the women’s side, Canada fields a team of Perianne Jones, Chandra Crawford, Sara Renner, and Madeleine Williams.  Crawford was the only Canadian woman to race today as she works her way back into shape after missing last season.  This race will serve as a good race opportunity, but Renner is the only member with a history of strong distance World Cup results.

    The US, with only three women in Europe, will not start the race.

    Finland, with a team of veterans Pirjo Muranen, Virpi Kuitunen, Riita-Liisa Roponen, and Aino Kaisa Saarinen are the favorites, but Norway, with Marit Bjoergen skiing very well, will be a threat.  The key will be a strong leg from scramble skier Vibeke Skofterud.

    Sweden, coming off a day with Charlotte Kalal in second, and Anna Haag in third, cannot be counted out.  It will be Anna Olsson and Sara Lindborg to stay close in the classic legs.

  • World Championship Preview

    World Championship Preview

    Liberec 2009The 2009 World Championships are set to get under way in Liberec, Czech Republic tomorrow. The Championships include cross-country, Nordic combined, and ski jumping.

    36 medals are up for grabs in cross-country, 12 in ski jumping, and 12 in Nordic combined. It has been 27 years since the Bill Koch won the only US cross-country medal at the World Championships, and a medal would be a major breakthrough. Canada also has only one World Championships cross-country medal – a bronze for Sara Renner in 2005.

    A World Championship medal is second only to an Olympic medal in the ski world. Both the US and Canada have legitimate shots at bringing home some hardware.

    There is currently plenty of snow in Liberec, though the courses are reportedly on the soft side. The venue is fairly exposed and often windy, presenting an additional challenge. The weather forecast is for continued cold temperatures and additional snow.

    Universal Sports will show all cross-country World Championship races on same-day delay. This is a great opportunity to watch our top athletes compete for the gold. If you would like to maintain the suspense of the races, be sure to avoid FasterSkier until you watch the video on Universal Sports. We will publish a full schedule soon, but most races should be available by 5:30PM EST the day of the race. Visit the Universal Sports Nordic World Championship page

    Cross-Country

    US

    There will be no surprises here. The US foursome of Kikkan Randall, Andy Newell, Torin Koos and Kris Freeman have been well ahead of the rest of the US for some years, represent the hope for medals.

    Freeman, suffering from compartment syndrome, can only race classic, limiting him to Friday’s 15km classic individual start and a leg in the relay. The 15km has been Kris’ best event over the years. He finished 16th last weekend in this event, only 46 seconds off the pace. Freeman is not a favorite, but in the tightly packed men’s World Cup field, anything is possible, and Kris is certainly a dark horse contender. He was in the top 3 last week, before running out of gas.

    Writes Freeman’s coach, Zach Caldwell, on his blog after the 16th in Italy, “Today – right now – I believe that Kris can be on the podium on Friday. I’m writing it here, publicly, because I think it’s too easy to stop believing and start accepting when things have been going wrong. I’ve had several e-mails from people saying that today’s effort was really good, all things considered. Well, only the clock gets considered on Friday. I think Kris is good enough to be measured by that standard. I’m writing it here publicly because I’m willing to stand behind it. Kris needs to believe in himself in order to ski with the calm confidence required to finish the job. Today should have at least shown him enough to believe.”

    The US will be fielding a relay team, and Freeman will likely ski the first classic leg if his health is good, but the lack of proven international distance skiers will prevent the US from competing for a top position.

    With Freeman on the shelf for the skating events, the US has no chance for a medal in either the pursuit or the 50k, and those races will be looked at as development opportunities for less experienced skiers.

    UPDATE:  Kris has reported that there is a chance he will race the classic Team Sprint.  The team selection will be based on how the week goes for all the athletes.  If Kris does not race the Team sPrint, he will start the pursuit, despite the skating – it would be his last race prior to surgery, so there would be nothing to lose if he experiences problems.

    Randall will race the 10km classic tomorrow. She posted a career best 23rd before Christmas in this race, and has shown improving distance results over the last years, but she hasn’t made the jump to the top level. A top 20 for Kikkan would be an excellent performance.

    It is in the sprint where she has the chance to shine. Kikkan qualified for the A-Final last weekend and was in position to contest for the podium when she fell. The freestyle sprint is her strongest event – the one in which she became the first US woman to win a World Cup race. She appears to be rounding into shape after a slow start to the season. Without a World Cup podium appearance this year, she can’t be considered a favorite, but a medal would not surprise anyone, and Kikkan has demonstrated recently that she has the speed and fitness to compete for the win.

    Randall will also race the classic Team Sprint. She paired with Liz Stephen in Whistler to finish fourth in the freestyle version of this event. The US has not picked their team yet, so it is unknown if Stephen and Randall will be matched again. A medal performance is unlikely, but the possibility exists.

    Andy Newell is unquestionably one of the fastest skiers in the world. He routinely qualifies for sprint heats in the top 5. He has struggled in the heats this year though, suffering a number of crashes, and failing to reach the A-Final in all but one race. But last spring Newell finished second in a World Cup sprint, and once a skier reaches the heats, anything can happen. Like Randall, Newell is not considered a favorite, but a medal is a very real possibility.

    Torin Koos joins Newell in the sprint as a very real threat. He is coming off a career best skate sprint performance, finishing 8th last weekend after qualifying 6th. He should be confident in Liberec. He will also team with Newell in the Team Sprint. The pair finished fourth in the event earlier in the season, and a strong performance could leave them in position to challenge for a top spot.

    US Sprint Coach Chris Grover told FasterSkier, “Things are coming together for many of the athletes. Kikkan is feeling the best she has this season and would have most likely been on the podium last weekend if not for a fall 150 meters from the finish. Torin skied very strongly. Andy was also skiing very fast but fell in qualification in the same spot Kikkan fell. Along with Freeman, any one of these skiers could medal here on the right day.”

    The US is bringing a full team to Liberec and should be running the maximum number of skiers in each race. In addition to the four discussed above, these other athletes will be gunning for their best results, and valuable experience. Adds Grover “for some of our younger team members, this World Champs is about experience. Athletes like Morgan Arritola, Liz Stephen, and Morgan Smyth are here to race as fast as possible but more importantly, to gain high-level experience for the 2010 Games and beyond.”

    Canada

    The Canadian Team has more depth than the US, but realistically, only three skiers in position to challenge for a medal.

    Veteran Sara Renner demonstrated she is in top form with a 5th place finish last weekend on the World Cup. Renner’s best shot is in the 10km classic tomorrow. She has not shown the speed needed to advance through the sprint heats this year, so it is unlikely she will repeat her 2005 performance in the sprint. Top 15’s are a real possibility in the other distance races, and if everything comes together, a podium appearance is not impossible.

    On the men’s side, Devon Kershaw may represent the best North American shot for a medal – if only because he is strong in so many events. If he has an off day in one race, he will have another shot. He has podium finishes in both sprint and distance, and has been very consistent this year. Racing all events would be very challenging, so it will be interesting to see which starts Devon picks.

    Ivan Babikov, 12th last weekend, and the winner of the Tour de Ski final climb will also be a potential force in the distance races. Babikov is not a great sprinter, leaving him at a disadvantage in the mass start pursuit and 50km events, where the finish often comes down to a bunch sprint of 15+ athletes. He has been a stronger skater in the past, but given the sprinting issue, the 15km classic may be his best shot for the podium.

    The Canadian team could also field a strong relay team. Along with Kershaw and Babikov, they have George Grey, who has scored consistent World Cup points this year and was 20th last weekend. Teams have not been announced, but it is likely that 20-year old Alex Harvey would fill the final spot on the team. Harvey is skiing fast and cracked the top 30 for the second time this season in Italy at the last World Cup. They would need exceptional performances from Grey and Harvey, but a top 5 relay performance is attainable.

    The choice for the Team Sprint will be tough for Canada. Grey and Harvey teamed up to finish third in Whistler, and it would be reasonable event for Kershaw to skip.

    Grey and Harvey also have top 20 potential in the other distance events, but have not yet shown they are capable of the top spots.

    Top Canadian sprinter Chandra Crawford has missed the entire season due to injury and will not compete. She is the defending Olympic Champion in the freestyle sprint.

    Nordic Combined

    US

    Nordic Combined represents the best chance for US medals. Billy Demong has cemented himself as one of the top skiers in the world over the last few years. IN the last World Cup leading up to these Championships, Demong won, marking him as a medal favorite. Demong has six podium finishes this season, including 3 victories. An extremely strong cross-country skier, his jumping has been improving steadily. Demong won silver in the last World Championships and has a good shot to improve on that performance.

    Demong is not the only medal hopeful in Nordic Combined. Johnny Spillane, a Gold medalist in 2003 has four top 10 results this season and has consistently scored World Cup points.

    With Eric Camerota posting a career best World Cup finish of 25th last weekend, and comeback kid Todd Lodwick racing in the top 10, the US looks extremely strong in the Team competition. If they jump well, they will be in position to fight for the gold.

    Read a Nordic Combined Preview from Universal Sports

    Canada

    Canada has a very young and inexperienced Nordic Combined Team and if they are competing in Liberec, they will not be contesting for top spots.

    Ski Jumping

    US

    The US women’s ski jumping team is extremely strong and should be in the thick of things for medals.

    International

    And what about everyone else? In women’s cross-country, Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) and Petra Majdic (SLO) are both in top form. Look for Majdic to win the individual sprint, and Kowalczyk to be contesting every race she enters. The Finnish duo of Aino Kaisa Saarinen and Virpi Kuitunen are also considered favorites, and the Finns will have a very strong relay team. Norweigan star Marit Bjoergen has not race the World Cup recently and will be an unknown entering the Championships. But as usual Norway is deep and strong. The Italian women have also been skiing well recently.

    The men’s field is even harder to predict. Dario Cologna (SUI), leading the overall World Cup and the Tour de Ski winner has been a bit further back in the pack lately. Axel Teichmann should be a force, as will the Norweigans, Italians, Swedes, and just about everyone else. The men’s field is so tight that on any given day 30 different men have a shot at the victory. This will make for exciting races!

    77 athletes from 18 countries will participate in the Nordic Combined.
    79 athletes from 22 countries will participate in the Ski Jump men.
    39 athletes from 13 countries will participate in the Ski Jump ladies.
    155 athletes from 60 countries will participate in the Cross-country ladies.
    236 athletes from 60 countries will participate in Cross-country men.
    For the complete schedule and more information visit the event website at http://www.liberec2009.net

    To view a list of all previous World Championship Medal winners, use the links below:
    Men XC
    Women XC
    Nordic Combined

  • Whistler Sprint Preview

    Whistler Sprint Preview

    The Whistler World Cups are set to get under way tomorrow morning with the individual classic sprint.  Nine American men and 17 Canadian men will contest the 1.6km event.  The course has been lengthened from the original 1.4km course that many skiers raced on at Canadian Nationals last year, and trained on in the spring.  The increase is due to an attempt by the FIS to prevent double poling classic sprints.

    The field, as expected, is small, lacking depth.  But the high end will certainly impress.  Overall World Cup sprint leader, Ola Vigen Hattestad of Norway, is here and will attempt to add to his points total.  He won all three sprints prior to the Tour de Ski and is the clear favorite.  Sweden has a strong contingent, with Emil Joensson and Bjoern Lind leading the charge.  Both are threats for podium places.

    Italy and Russia also have full squads, most of whom are racing the sprint.  French skiers Cyrli Miranda and Rhoddy Darragon are also legitimate contenders.

    So nothing is a given.  The heats will be hotly contested and top finishes hard-earned.  USST Coach Chirs Grover sees the podium as the goal, telling FasterSkier that if the team leaves Canada without a top three finish in at least one event, it will be a major disappointment.

    The US Team is healthy and well-prepared according to Grover.  Last year’s mediocre results (overall) in Canmore led to some changes, and athletes have rested somewhat more leading into these races.  For the younger skiers, this is an opportunity to gain valuable experience and potentially points.  For the veterans, the pressure is on, with expectations high.  The pressure, added Grover, should be significant for these athletes – just like it will be for the Olympics.

    The sprint course tomorrow will most likely require striding, and is wide, with plenty of room to pass.  This should eliminate some of the potential for bad-luck crashes.

    The women race a somewhat shorter, 1.3km course that is the same as last year’s Canadian Nationals loop.  Kikkan Randall will lead the US contingent, and Sara Renner will be the Canadian Favorite.  With Chandra Crawford on the shelf due to injury, the Canadian threat is significantly dulled, but Perianne Jones, among others could impress.  Laura Valaas should be considered as the next best US skier behind Randall, and she is usually strong in the this event.

    As with the men, Italy features a full and impressive line-up of skiers.  The Swedes have also brought their top sprinters, and Poland’s Justyna Kowlczyk could be considered the favorite.  Slovenia, minus star Petra Majdic, will start three, two of whom will contend for the podium.  Finland’s Mona Lisa Malhaveto will also be in the running.

    So as with the men’s field, the women’s features plenty of talent.  The depth is not on par with a European World Cup, and there are plenty of spots up for grabs in the top-30.  But a spot in the A-Final will not be easy to come by.

    Racing begins at 9:30 with the women’s qualification, followed by the men at 9:55.

    Whistler WC logo