Tour de Ski XC-Predictions: Stage 4

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 31 Dec 2011@17:00


In the Skiathlon on Stage 4 the bonus seconds for the intermediate sprints are expected to be more important than the order the skiers arrive at the finish – especially in the mens class were there are 5 intermediate sprints compared to the 2 intermediate sprints in the womens class.

Stage 3 predictions wrap-up: Another tricky day to set up the results among the men on Stage 3 – with big favourite Emil Jönsson out due to a fall in the quarter finals. Also Northug and Cologna were not strong enough in the finals – 4 Russians finishing first. Stefan did best even with Jönsson on top – gettting 609 points, 19 points ahead of Bornis in 2nd and Piotr in third.

In the overall predictions, Piotr has nearly doubled his lead to 113 points after three excellent races. Irina jumped from 3rd to 2nd place, while Markus is now up in third ahead of Jossa, SIEGER JC and Sofia. But there are still 7 predictions to go – so a lot can happen. Now it is over to the Skiathlon on Stage 4:

Note! The qualification start was moved from 13:30 to 12:30 today (on short notice by the organizers), and as many had not set up their predictions yet, we had to keep the deadline at 13:30. Thus it was possible to change the predictions after the qualifications rounds. This did not have significant influence on the final results though.

Stage 4 Preview

Bonus seconds for intermediate points will be 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 seconds for the first ten athletes at a designated intermediate point. The top three of the Stage will in addition get bonus seconds (15, 10 and 5 seconds). Thus there will e a fight for a total of 90 bonus seconds among the men and 45 bonus seconds among the women. Still, the extra 15 bonus seconds at the finish will also be good to have.

Men
As always in first-to-finish races, Petter Northug is the big favourite. However, all the intermediate bonus sprints makes it more important to win the intermediate sprints than to get stage winner, and thus the big overall candidates might not be the ones you see on top of the results list for the stage at the end of the day. In the 2010/2011 edition Matti Heikkinen won the Oberstdorf Skiathlon ahead of Dario Cologna, but Cologna was still the big winner of the day. Tactics will be very important in this race – but still Northug always seems to have that little extra in the final sprint of distance races…

In 2010/2011 Dario Cologna won a total of 40 seconds. Marcus Hellner gained 35 seconds and Lukas Bauer took 25 seconds during the entire competition. Petter Northug took 25 seconds but lost the 15 bonus second he won at 14.5 km due to the fact that he was “not following the best line”.

03.01.2011: 20 km M Pursuit Interval start, Oberstdorf, GER
Full results

1. HEIKKINEN Matti
2. COLOGNA Dario
3. JAKS Martin
4. GAILLARD Jean Marc
5. BAUER Lukas
6. RICKARDSSON Daniel
7. KERSHAW Devon
8. LEGKOV Alexander
9. GJERDALEN Tord Asle
10. HELLNER Marcus

Women
There are only 45 bonus seconds to fight for in the women’s race – 30 seconds at intermediate points and 15 seconds in the finish – and typically more spreading in the field. Thus we can get a completely different race setup among the women as we often see, were Kowalczyk, Bjørgen, Johaug and a few more who have strength left and good skis get away from the rest. Kowalczyk has even been so strong that she might get away alone – or will maybe Bjørgen try to catch up in the overall?

In the 2010/2011 edition, Anna Haag took the victory in the tight race ahead of her team mate, Charlotte Kalla with 0.6 seconds, and Marthe Kristoffersen 7.4 seconds down. During the race, there was an early fight in the front group of the 5 km classic and 5 km free Pursuit. Kowalczyk, Kalla, Kristoffersen, Follis, Longa and Johaug were all chasing the bonus second they could win. The Polish skier won both intermediate sprints and gained 30 bonus seconds. Haag took the stage win after attacking the ones fighting for the bonus seconds earlier on in the race together with Charlotte Kalla on the last uphill. She made a small gap together with Kalla and they were able to hold it until the finish where Haag beat Kalla.

03.01.2011: 10 km M Pursuit Interval start, Oberstdorf, GER
Full results

1. HAAG Anna
2. KALLA Charlotte
3. KRISTOFFERSEN Marthe
4. FOLLIS Arianna
5. KOWALCZYK Justyna
6. LONGA Marianna
7. JOHAUG Therese
8. LAHTEENMAKI Krista
9. ROPONEN Riitta-Liisa
10. MAJDIC Petra

Tour de Ski XC-Predictions: Stage 3

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 30 Dec 2011@19:06


Stage 2 was a tricky stage: Teichmann’s victory was unexpected – and Bjørgen performed poorer/Johaug stronger than many expected. Thus the best in the predictions today – Northug_Viker_Ner_Sig – got only 666 points – 15 points ahead of Piotr with Skogs-Ola in third.

In the overall predictions, Piotr has taken a clear lead after two very good races. With 1334 points he is 59(!) points ahead of Sofia in 2nd with Irina in 3rd. But still 8 races to go – so a lot can happen!

Stage 3 Preview

As Northug said in an interview after finishing second on Stage 2 of Tour de Ski: It is with the sprint in Oberstdorf on Stage 3 the Tour really starts. The time differences among the biggest favourites ahead of the first sprint stage are not too big; with 60 bonus seconds for the winner in the sprint, this will be very important for the overall Tour. This is were the skiers who perform well in both sprint and distance races can get ahead of the pure distance racers. Can Johaug, Bauer, Manificat and the other distance experts get some bonus seconds in the Oberstdorf sprint…?

Men
Of the overall favourites, Northug and Cologna are the ones who will also fight in the top in the sprint. In addition, there are the special sprinters fighting for glory only in the sprints – who might have saved some energy for the sprint stages. Jönsson is probably the biggest favourite – with Hattestad and Pethukov also being among the big favourites. The skiers are getting tired after two stages – this might be an advantage for the distance skiers – or the special sprinters who did not give it all in the Pursuit race in Oberhof. Jönsson won last year ahead of Kershaw with Cologna in third. This was the race which might have cost Northug the overall tour victory in the 2010/2011 edition of Tour de Ski.

Results Oberstdorf Classic sprint TdS 2010/2011:

02.01.2011: Sprint Classic Final Interval start, Oberstdorf, GER

Full results

1. JOENSSON Emil
2. KERSHAW Devon
3. COLOGNA Dario
4. OESTENSEN Simen
5. PETUKHOV Alexey
6. LEGKOV Alexander
7. HARVEY Alex
8. HELLNER Marcus
9. MODIN Jesper
10. JAPAROV Dmitriy

Women
The two overall Tour favourites Bjørgen and Kowalczyk are the big favourites in the sprint as well – but don’t forget Randall who has performed very well so far in the tour and thus is in great shape. Sprint specialists Visnar and Falla have a lot to fight for in the sprints – and might have saved some energy for the race in Oberstdorf. One thing is for sure: We will have a different winner compared to last year.

Results Oberstdorf Classic sprint TdS 2010/2011:

02.01.2011: Sprint Classic Final Interval start, Oberstdorf, GER

Full results

1. MAJDIC Petra
2. KOWALCZYK Justyna
3. JACOBSEN Astrid Uhrenholdt
4. PROCHAZKOVA Alena
5. IVANOVA Julia
6. SAARINEN Aino- Kaisa
7. OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad
8. LONGA Marianna
9. GENUIN Magda
10. NATSUMI Madoka

Tour de Ski XC-Predictions: Stage 2

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 29 Dec 2011@19:21


More than 170 people set up their tips for Stage 1 of Tour de Ski. The best predictions were made by Sofia with 712 points – ahead of tolsrav with 703 points and Piots with 693 points.

Stage 2 Preview

The second stage of Tour de Ski 2011/2012 is the 15/10 km Handicap start in Oberhof – based on the Prologue results. The time distances are quite small, and there will probably be several big groups forming in the race. If there is snowfall during the race, there might be even more grouping.

Men
There are some significant gaps in the start of the startlists due to the bonus seconds. In the mens class, Petter Northug starts 6 seconds ahead of Dario Cologna with Manificat 14 seconds down and Hellner 20 seconds down. Behind Hellner it is tight, with Chernousov, Harvey and Legkov at 22 seconds, Morilov at 23 seconds and Vylegzhanin at 24 seconds. Within the next 16 seconds there are another 40 skiers!

We will probably see Northug “waiting” for Cologna – and while Cologna might try to keep the speed up, Northug will probably want to save his energy, and a more probable development is that Manificat and maybe also the “Russian group” will chase down the leading duo.

Women
In the women’s class, Kowalczyk has a lead 5 seconds ahead of Bjørgen with Brodin 14 seconds behind, Lilja-Sarasova and Kristoffersen 19 seconds behind and Roponen, Saarinen, Korosteleva, Kalla and Randall 22 seconds behind. In the next 25 seconds there are another 40 skiers. Note that Johaug is 27 seconds down.

The chances of the leading duo – Kowalczyk and Bjørgen – getting a significant lead on the rest of the field is a lot larger among the women. This might even be the deciding factor for the Tour de Ski. Can Johaug get close enough to be in touch with them?

Tour de Ski XC-Predictions: Join the 200 others now!

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 27 Dec 2011@3:29


Tour de Ski is the big highlight of the 2011/2012 season – and therefore the races everybody has prepared for this winter. This will make Tour de Ski 2011/2012 a different race than the last three seasons where the season highlight for many has been World Championships or Olympic Games.

The XC-Predictions were a big hit at the previous Tour de Ski edition – this year we have got Skidpepp in on the predictions as well, and expect more than 200 setting up their predictions for Tour de Ski stages. New this year: The overall Tour de Ski predictions are to be set up ahead of the first stage!

Set up your predictions

Set up your predictions here – or read the preview article below first:

Race previews – Tour de Ski overall

Is this what it takes to get a Norwegian overall Tour de Ski victory – after many attempts? Or will Cologna, Bauer, Kowalczyk or some of the dark horses take home the biggest title of the year within Cross Country skiing?

One thing is certain: With one extra race added in Toblach – and a better start field than ever – Tour de Ski will be as tough as ever! This year predictions for the overall Tour de Ski are to be set up ahead of the Prologue – so it is time to take a look at the overall favourites:

Women

  • Marit Bjørgen: She has won everything in the World Cup this year, and is the big favourite. Two very small question marks after her name, though. The biggest of those is that she seems to have a slight problem with many races in a row – a problem which Kowalczyk has not shown. The other smaller one is her small illness the Rogla weekend – but she is supposed to have recovered very fast from that.
  • Justyna Kowalczyk: Always slow to get in shape at the start of the season – but this season even slower than usually. However, in Rogla the last weekend before Christmas she showed with her first World Cup victory of the season that the shape will be there for Tour de Ski this year again. Bjørgen was not at the start line in Rogla, but Kowalczyk’s race was still very impressive.
  • Therese Johaug: Sprint is her weak point – the last uphill her strong point. Johaug has improved on the sprint this year (8th in Kuusamo) – and may get some bonus points from the sprint races in Tour de Ski this year. Can it be enough for an overall Tour de Ski victory and improve her second place from last year? Only if some of the other skiers race below par in some of the races – but that may very well happen during 9 tough stages…
  • Vibeke Skofterud: Has been top 3 in both sprint races and distance races this season, and may look like one of the biggest challenges to Bjørgen on paper. However, Skofterud’s shape has often been poorer after Christmas – and she is not as strong in the last hill as Johaug. Skofterud is also one of the women who may go all the way to the top if everything fits.
  • Charlotte Kalla: The big Swedish hope – who was close to Bjørgen the first races this season. Kalla has however had problems with sickness, and was not even sure she would start Tour de Ski when this was written. Her shape has gotten worse and worse since the strong opening – but the Tour is long, and if Kalla comes to the start, she may well fight for victory.
  • Outsiders: Kikkan Randall, Aino Kaisa Saarinen and Kristin Størmer Steira are outsiders – but a lot must happen in the top if one of these women will top the Tour de Ski results list this year…

Men

  • Petter Northug: Northug is the biggest favourite in this edition of Tour de Ski – after three 2nd places the last editions. Northug has improved in the individual start races, and seems stronger than ever. He will probably need a lead ahead of the last race up the hill, but with a lot of man-against-man fights giving bonus seconds the scene should be set for that. Northug must perform well in the sprints though – mistakes in the sprints is what has cost Northug a victory in the previous editions…
  • Dario Cologna: Cologna is the second big favourite in this Tour edition. He is fast both in sprint and in distance races – and just as good in skating as in classic. His biggest chance to beat Northug is to do well in the sprint races, and to perform consistently well in all races. If he starts along with Northug on the last stage, Cologna is the favorite. Cologna has two Tour de Ski victories, after all – and showed great shape in Rogla with one 1st and one 2nd place!
  • Lukas Bauer: Bauer also has two Tour de Ski victories, but he has two problems which can make it difficult to repeat it this year with Northug and Cologna both seeming very strong: His weakness in sprint and in man-to-man fights. Bauer’s way to victory goes through a good race on Stage 7 from Cortina to Toblach: Here Bauer can fight his way all the way up to the top and gain the time he has lost in the sprints if everything goes his way – and then even an overall Tour victory is possible…
  • Alexander Legkov: Legkov is very strong in the distance races, but varies in the sprints. Not as much as Bauer, though – and as for Bauer, if Legkov is there when the skiers arive to Toblach on Stage 7, everything can happen. Legkov is one of the strongest skiers in the last uphill…
  • Maxim Vylegzhanin: The dark horse who can actually take the overall victory if everything goes his way. Has not showed stabil results over many races previously – that might be his problem this year as well.
  • Outsiders: Roland Clara – very impressive performance at the start of the season. Maurice Manificat: Also a very good start of the season, but has not got the even performance in both sprint and distance races which is usually necessary. Markus Hellner – among the outsiders based on what he did last year in the first part of the Tour – but the results this year have not been on top. The Canadians Harvey and Kershav are also among the outsiders – can do well in both sprint and distance races.
Prologue Preview

This prologue marks the start of the 6th edition of the Tour de Ski – 9 competitions in 11 days in two countries. The prologue is approximately the double length of a regular sprint – 2.5 km for the women and 3.75 km for the men.

  • The women start from 14:15 CET – the men start from 15:15 CET
  • In the 2010/2011 prologue, Marcus Hellner won ahead of a surprisingly strong Petukhov, Northug, Legkov, Frasnelli, Duvillard, and Cologna among the men – with Lukas Bauer in 9th. Kowalczyk won ahead of Kalla, Jacobsen, Roponen, Tchekaleva, Saarinen and Herrmann among the women (Bjørgen was not on the start line).
  • In the 2009/2010 prologue, Petter Northug won ahead of Marcus Hellner, Axel Teichmann, Dario Cologna and Sergey Shiriaev among the men. Petra Majdic won ahead of Natalia Korosteleva, Justyna Kowalczyk, Arianna Follis and Miriam Gössner among the women.
  • In the 2008/2009 prologue, Axel Teichmann won ahead of Dario Cologna, Petter Northug, Aivar Rehemaa and Devon Kershaw among the men. In the womens class Claudia Nystad won ahead of Arianna Follis, Petra Majdic, Justyna Kowalczyk and Marit Bjørgen.
  • Race profile Men:
  • Race profile Women:

XC Predictions: Results Davos

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 11 Dec 2011@16:17

Congratulations to Luca D. winning the Davos Sprint predictions ahead of Christopher Tassava – two of our guests all the time since the start. A tricky day today with Bjørgen and Hattestad not performing well!

In the overall Luca D has taken over the overall lead ahead of varjak and Mountainmums.

Remember – you can already set up your Rogla predictions here and change them any time up until the start.

Results WhoWins Sprint Davos

Full results here.

1. 648 Luca D. Alexey PETUKHOV 150 Teodor PETERSON 110 Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0
Marit BJOERGEN 36 Kikkan RANDALL 100 Natalia MATVEEVA 80
2. 624 Christopher Tassava Dario COLOGNA 36 Teodor PETERSON 110 Emil JOENSSON 80
Kikkan RANDALL 150 Marit BJOERGEN 36 Justyna KOWALCZYK 32
3. 613 Tomas Olofsson Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0 Alexey PETUKHOV 100 Teodor PETERSON 80
Kikkan RANDALL 150 Marit BJOERGEN 36 Hanna BRODIN 50
4. 610 Маша И Слоник Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0 Petter jr. NORTHUG 45 Teodor PETERSON 80
Marit BJOERGEN 36 Kikkan RANDALL 100 Maiken Caspersen FALLA80
5. 603 Rolf Z Petter jr. NORTHUG 45 Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0 Emil JOENSSON 80
Marit BJOERGEN 36 Kikkan RANDALL 100 Natalia MATVEEVA 80
6. 596 Mountainmums Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0 Alexey PETUKHOV 100 Emil JOENSSON 80
Marit BJOERGEN 36 Kikkan RANDALL 100 Maiken Caspersen FALLA80
7. 591 David Bregvadze Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0 Petter jr. NORTHUG 45 Alexey PETUKHOV 100
Marit BJOERGEN 36 Kikkan RANDALL 100 Maiken Caspersen FALLA80
8. 582 varjak Paal GOLBERG 32 Alexey PETUKHOV 100 Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0
Kikkan RANDALL 150 Marit BJOERGEN 36 Maiken Caspersen FALLA80
9. 581 Göran Alexey PETUKHOV 150 Petter jr. NORTHUG 45 Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0
Kikkan RANDALL 150 Marit BJOERGEN 36 Hanna FALK 0
10. 581 qstoffe Alexey PETUKHOV 150 Emil JOENSSON 60 Ola Vigen HATTESTAD 0
Marit BJOERGEN 36 Maiken Caspersen FALLA60 Kikkan RANDALL 100

Results WhoWins Overall 2011/2012

Full results here.

Place Name Points #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8
1. Luca D. 4585 491 457 689 701 470 493 636 648
2. varjak 4579 595 395 755 667 461 518 606 582
3. Mountainmums 4493 480 421 662 791 498 477 568 596
4. VO2min 4431 520 449 701 691 506 347 646 571
5. uttern 4409 536 359 651 733 501 462 630 537
6. Sofia 4408 539 394 688 702 462 425 663 535
7. tolsrav 4404 485 346 681 814 560 456 591 471
8. Lennart 4399 575 312 736 725 483 376 640 552
9. Gabriel 4398 564 329 715 712 522 428 645 483
10. dagger 4366 550 387 723 746 573 315 511 561

Davos 30 km: Splits analysis

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 10 Dec 2011@15:52


Northug crushed everybody in the downhill parts today – nobody else was even close! 11 seconds faster than the second fastest skier on the first loop, 10 seconds faster on the second loop, 17(!) seconds faster on the third loop and around 10-15 seconds faster on the last loop*!

In the uphill part of the race, several skiers had a “real fight” with Northug – but with Northug’s dominance downhill this was a real knock-out! Impressive! Northug shows again that he is very good in the easy parts of the course – and the skis must have been fantastic as well. This is also part of Northug’s usual tactics: Save as much power as possible uphill, and then give it all in the easier parts. Thus this is a combination of a great shape, good tactics and good skis!

- The mission today was to ski as evenly as possible uphill, and then give it all downhill towards the stadium. I had very good skis and strong skis today, Northug said to NRK after the race.

- When you are as fat as I am, you need to exploit the downhills.

*Note! No official splits available for the downhill-part on the last loop is the live timing system from FIS which is available online – but Northug was 14 seconds faster than Bauer who is the second fastest from 24.5 km to 30 km based on the splits shown on the TV broadcast.

Uphill and Downhill results


Now let us take a look at results for uphill and downhill separately to see how much faster Northug really was. The course in Davos and the placement of the splits makes it possible to make a nice analysis also without GPS-data. First the downhill results. As you see Northug is a minute faster than the next skier downhill! Bauer looses 1:17 downhill (or actually 1:31). Hellner looses 1:43 (or actually close to 2 minutes)!

Note that the split at 26.5 km is missing in the online splits, and thus the part from 24.5 km to 30 km which consists of 2 km uphill and 3.5 km downhill is counted as only downhill. Thus Northug is acutally another 10-15 seconds faster in the downhill and slower in the uphill.

Next the uphill results. Here the story is very different. Hellner is on top – nearly 30 seconds faster than Northug. Bauer, Manificat and Babikov are also faster than Northug. But cross country skiing is not only about getting fast to the top – you also have to get down again…

Northug: Graphical display

In the splitsbrowser above, split 2-3, 5-6, 8-9 and 10-Finish are the downhill parts of the race. Here Northug has a flat curve, showing that he has the best split. In the other parts of the race, Northug looses time.

Detailed analysis – Runner ups

Taking a look at Bauer, his curve is very different. He is extremely strong in the uphills – having a flat curve for splits 3-4, 6-7 and 9-10. Thus the Tour de Ski shape of Bauer is definitely there!

Next up, Hellner. He is also extremely strong in the uphills – but looses some time in the end.

Manificat is also strong in the uphill parts, but not as strong a tendency as for Bauer:

See the interactive splitsbrowser here.

XC Prediction results

Results from the XC Predictions from Davos have been updated. A very tricky day in the mens class – bastoun-38 won today’s predictions ahead of Hulda.

Unofficial splits

Total time at split 1 2 km (up loop 1)
1. 05:42 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:42)
2. 05:47 +00:06 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:47)
3. 05:48 +00:07 Thomas MORIGGL ITA (05:48)
4. 05:49 +00:07 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:49)
5. 05:49 +00:08 Noah HOFFMAN USA (05:49)
6. 05:49 +00:08 Roland CLARA ITA (05:49)
7. 05:49 +00:08 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (05:49)
8. 05:50 +00:08 Remo FISCHER SUI (05:50)
9. 05:51 +00:10 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE (05:51)
10. 05:52 +00:10 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:52)
11. 05:52 +00:10 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:52)
19. 05:55 +00:14 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:55)
25. 05:57 +00:16 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:57)
Split 1 only 2 km (up loop 1)
1. 05:42 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:42)
2. 05:47 +00:06 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:47)
3. 05:48 +00:07 Thomas MORIGGL ITA (05:48)
4. 05:49 +00:07 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:49)
5. 05:49 +00:08 Noah HOFFMAN USA (05:49)
6. 05:49 +00:08 Roland CLARA ITA (05:49)
7. 05:49 +00:08 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (05:49)
8. 05:50 +00:08 Remo FISCHER SUI (05:50)
9. 05:51 +00:10 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE (05:51)
10. 05:52 +00:10 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:52)
11. 05:52 +00:10 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:52)
19. 05:55 +00:14 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:55)
25. 05:57 +00:16 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:57)
Total time at split 2 4 km (up loop 1)
1. 10:42 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:01)
2. 10:56 +00:14 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:04)
3. 10:57 +00:15 Dario COLOGNA SUI (05:02)
4. 10:58 +00:16 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:11)
5. 10:59 +00:17 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:10)
6. 11:00 +00:18 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:08)
7. 11:00 +00:18 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (05:11)
8. 11:00 +00:18 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:05)
9. 11:01 +00:18 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (05:07)
10. 11:01 +00:19 Alexander LEGKOV RUS (05:06)
11. 11:01 +00:19 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE (05:10)
22. 11:08 +00:26 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:11)
Split 2 only 4 km (up loop 1)
1. 05:01 Marcus HELLNER SWE (10:42)
2. 05:02 +00:01 Dario COLOGNA SUI (10:57)
3. 05:04 +00:04 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (10:56)
4. 05:05 +00:04 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (11:00)
5. 05:06 +00:05 Alexander LEGKOV RUS (11:01)
6. 05:06 +00:05 David HOFER ITA (11:22)
7. 05:07 +00:06 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (11:01)
8. 05:07 +00:07 Martin JAKS CZE (11:04)
9. 05:08 +00:07 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (11:00)
10. 05:09 +00:08 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA (11:12)
11. 05:10 +00:09 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE (11:01)
14. 05:10 +00:10 Lukas BAUER CZE (10:59)
20. 05:11 +00:11 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (11:08)
Total time at split 3 7.5 km (down loop 1)
1. 16:23 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:23)
2. 16:25 +00:02 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:43)
3. 16:38 +00:15 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:42)
4. 16:38 +00:15 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:38)
5. 16:39 +00:16 Dario COLOGNA SUI (05:43)
6. 16:43 +00:20 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:44)
7. 16:43 +00:20 Toni LIVERS SUI (05:41)
8. 16:44 +00:21 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (05:43)
9. 16:45 +00:22 Alexander LEGKOV RUS (05:45)
10. 16:46 +00:23 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE (05:45)
11. 16:46 +00:23 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (05:46)
16. 16:49 +00:26 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:41)
17. 16:49 +00:26 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:50)
Split 3 only 7.5 km (down loop 1)
1. 05:23 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (16:23)
2. 05:34 +00:11 Tom REICHELT GER (16:52)
3. 05:38 +00:15 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (16:38)
4. 05:38 +00:15 Jens FILBRICH GER (16:49)
5. 05:39 +00:15 David HOFER ITA (17:00)
6. 05:40 +00:17 Michail SEMENOV BLR (17:09)
7. 05:41 +00:18 Toni LIVERS SUI (16:43)
8. 05:41 +00:18 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (16:49)
9. 05:41 +00:18 Sergei DOLIDOVICH BLR (17:09)
10. 05:41 +00:18 Petr SEDOV RUS (16:49)
11. 05:42 +00:18 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN (16:53)
12. 05:42 +00:19 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (16:38)
16. 05:43 +00:20 Marcus HELLNER SWE (16:25)
37. 05:50 +00:27 Lukas BAUER CZE (16:49)
Total time at split 4 9.5 km (up loop 2)
1. 22:14 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:49)
2. 22:20 +00:07 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:57)
3. 22:33 +00:19 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:55)
4. 22:34 +00:20 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:51)
5. 22:36 +00:22 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:57)
6. 22:40 +00:26 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:50)
7. 22:42 +00:28 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (05:58)
8. 22:43 +00:29 Dario COLOGNA SUI (06:03)
9. 22:43 +00:29 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (05:57)
10. 22:45 +00:31 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (05:55)
11. 22:47 +00:33 Martin JAKS CZE (06:00)
17. 22:55 +00:41 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (06:06)
Split 4 only 9.5 km (up loop 2)
1. 05:49 Marcus HELLNER SWE (22:14)
2. 05:50 +00:01 Lukas BAUER CZE (22:40)
3. 05:51 +00:02 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (22:34)
4. 05:55 +00:06 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (22:33)
5. 05:55 +00:06 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (22:45)
6. 05:56 +00:07 Axel TEICHMANN GER (23:03)
7. 05:57 +00:08 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (22:43)
8. 05:57 +00:08 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (22:36)
9. 05:57 +00:08 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (22:20)
10. 05:58 +00:09 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (22:42)
11. 06:00 +00:11 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA (23:03)
34. 06:06 +00:17 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (22:55)
Total time at split 5 11.5 km (up loop 2)
1. 27:29 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:15)
2. 27:38 +00:08 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:17)
3. 27:43 +00:14 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:10)
4. 27:50 +00:21 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:16)
5. 27:53 +00:24 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:17)
6. 27:56 +00:27 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:16)
7. 27:59 +00:30 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (05:17)
8. 28:01 +00:32 Dario COLOGNA SUI (05:19)
9. 28:06 +00:37 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (05:22)
10. 28:09 +00:40 Alexander LEGKOV RUS (05:19)
11. 28:12 +00:42 Toni LIVERS SUI (05:20)
19. 28:18 +00:49 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:23)
Split 5 only 11.5 km (up loop 2)
1. 05:10 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (27:43)
2. 05:11 +00:01 Noah HOFFMAN USA (28:13)
3. 05:15 +00:05 Graham NISHIKAWA CAN (28:38)
4. 05:15 +00:05 Marcus HELLNER SWE (27:29)
5. 05:16 +00:05 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA (28:18)
6. 05:16 +00:06 Fabio SANTUS ITA (28:27)
7. 05:16 +00:06 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (27:50)
8. 05:16 +00:06 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN (28:19)
9. 05:16 +00:06 Lukas BAUER CZE (27:56)
10. 05:17 +00:07 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (27:38)
11. 05:17 +00:07 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (27:53)
24. 05:23 +00:13 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (28:18)
Total time at split 6 15 km (down loop 2)
1. 33:14 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:36)
2. 33:37 +00:23 Marcus HELLNER SWE (06:08)
3. 33:39 +00:25 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:56)
4. 33:44 +00:30 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:51)
5. 33:50 +00:36 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (06:00)
6. 33:50 +00:37 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (05:51)
7. 33:54 +00:40 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:58)
8. 34:02 +00:49 Dario COLOGNA SUI (06:01)
9. 34:03 +00:50 Tom REICHELT GER (05:46)
10. 34:05 +00:51 Toni LIVERS SUI (05:53)
11. 34:05 +00:52 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (05:59)
13. 34:11 +00:57 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:53)
Split 6 only 15 km (down loop 2)
1. 05:36 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (33:14)
2. 05:46 +00:10 Tom REICHELT GER (34:03)
3. 05:48 +00:12 Sergei DOLIDOVICH BLR (34:21)
4. 05:51 +00:15 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (33:44)
5. 05:51 +00:15 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (33:50)
6. 05:52 +00:16 Kris FREEMAN USA (34:36)
7. 05:53 +00:17 Martin JAKS CZE (34:06)
8. 05:53 +00:17 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (34:11)
9. 05:53 +00:17 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA (34:21)
10. 05:53 +00:17 Toni LIVERS SUI (34:05)
11. 05:54 +00:18 Finn Haagen KROGH NOR (34:54)
16. 05:56 +00:20 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (33:39)
23. 05:58 +00:22 Lukas BAUER CZE (33:54)
52. 06:08 +00:32 Marcus HELLNER SWE (33:37)
Total time at split 7 17 km (up loop 3)
1. 39:14 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (06:00)
2. 39:38 +00:25 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (06:00)
3. 39:41 +00:27 Marcus HELLNER SWE (06:04)
4. 39:50 +00:37 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (06:01)
5. 39:51 +00:37 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:57)
6. 39:53 +00:39 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (06:03)
7. 39:55 +00:41 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (06:11)
8. 40:11 +00:57 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (06:06)
9. 40:15 +01:01 Martin JAKS CZE (06:09)
10. 40:17 +01:03 Toni LIVERS SUI (06:12)
11. 40:18 +01:04 Dario COLOGNA SUI (06:16)
14. 40:20 +01:07 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (06:10)
Split 7 only 17 km (up loop 3)
1. 05:57 Lukas BAUER CZE (39:51)
2. 06:00 +00:03 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (39:38)
3. 06:00 +00:03 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (39:14)
4. 06:01 +00:04 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (39:50)
5. 06:01 +00:04 Thomas MORIGGL ITA (40:22)
6. 06:03 +00:06 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (39:53)
7. 06:04 +00:07 Marcus HELLNER SWE (39:41)
8. 06:05 +00:08 Masaya KIMURA JPN (41:41)
9. 06:06 +00:09 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (40:11)
10. 06:07 +00:10 Alexander LEGKOV RUS (40:20)
11. 06:07 +00:10 Jiri MAGAL CZE (40:47)
17. 06:10 +00:13 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (40:20)
23. 06:11 +00:14 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (39:55)
Total time at split 8 19 km (up loop 3)
1. 44:34 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:21)
2. 44:58 +00:23 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (05:19)
3. 44:59 +00:25 Marcus HELLNER SWE (05:18)
4. 45:12 +00:37 Lukas BAUER CZE (05:21)
5. 45:16 +00:42 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (05:26)
6. 45:17 +00:42 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (05:24)
7. 45:19 +00:45 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (05:25)
8. 45:35 +01:01 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (05:24)
9. 45:42 +01:07 Martin JAKS CZE (05:27)
10. 45:45 +01:10 Toni LIVERS SUI (05:28)
11. 45:45 +01:11 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:25)
Split 8 only 19 km (up loop 3)
1. 05:17 Curdin PERL SUI (46:27)
2. 05:18 +00:02 Marcus HELLNER SWE (44:59)
3. 05:19 +00:02 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (44:58)
4. 05:21 +00:04 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (44:34)
5. 05:21 +00:04 Lukas BAUER CZE (45:12)
6. 05:22 +00:06 Tad ELLIOTT USA (46:31)
7. 05:24 +00:07 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (45:17)
8. 05:24 +00:07 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (45:35)
9. 05:25 +00:08 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (45:19)
10. 05:25 +00:08 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (45:45)
11. 05:25 +00:08 Masaya KIMURA JPN (47:06)
Total time at split 9 22.5 km (down loop 3)
1. 50:13 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (05:39)
2. 50:57 +00:44 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (06:00)
3. 51:09 +00:55 Marcus HELLNER SWE (06:09)
4. 51:16 +01:02 Lukas BAUER CZE (06:04)
5. 51:20 +01:07 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (06:01)
6. 51:31 +01:17 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (06:14)
7. 51:31 +01:18 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (06:14)
8. 51:42 +01:28 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (06:07)
9. 51:42 +01:29 Martin JAKS CZE (06:01)
10. 51:43 +01:30 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (05:58)
11. 51:45 +01:32 Tom REICHELT GER (05:59)
Split 9 only 22.5 km (down loop 3)
1. 05:39 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (50:13)
2. 05:56 +00:17 Sergei DOLIDOVICH BLR (51:56)
3. 05:57 +00:18 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN (52:14)
4. 05:58 +00:19 Curdin PERL SUI (52:24)
5. 05:58 +00:20 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (51:43)
6. 05:59 +00:21 Tom REICHELT GER (51:45)
7. 06:00 +00:21 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (50:57)
8. 06:01 +00:22 Martin JAKS CZE (51:42)
9. 06:01 +00:22 Lars FLORA USA (53:29)
10. 06:01 +00:22 Jens FILBRICH GER (52:02)
11. 06:01 +00:22 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (51:20)
15. 06:04 +00:25 Lukas BAUER CZE (51:16)
27. 06:09 +00:31 Marcus HELLNER SWE (51:09)
Total time at split 10 24.5 km (up loop 4)
1. 56:24 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (06:10)
2. 57:07 +00:43 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (06:09)
3. 57:15 +00:51 Marcus HELLNER SWE (06:06)
4. 57:20 +00:57 Lukas BAUER CZE (06:05)
5. 57:37 +01:14 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (06:17)
6. 57:41 +01:18 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (06:11)
7. 57:51 +01:28 Matti HEIKKINEN FIN (06:20)
8. 57:52 +01:28 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (06:09)
9. 57:58 +01:35 Daniel RICKARDSSON SWE (06:16)
10. 58:07 +01:43 Tom REICHELT GER (06:22)
11. 58:08 +01:45 Martin JAKS CZE (06:26)
Split 10 only 24.5 km (up loop 4)
1. 06:05 Lukas BAUER CZE (57:20)
2. 06:06 +00:02 Marcus HELLNER SWE (57:15)
3. 06:07 +00:02 Keishin YOSHIDA JPN (58:42)
4. 06:09 +00:04 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (57:52)
5. 06:09 +00:05 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (57:07)
6. 06:09 +00:05 Robin DUVILLARD FRA (58:24)
7. 06:10 +00:06 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (56:24)
8. 06:11 +00:06 Ivan BABIKOV CAN (57:41)
9. 06:11 +00:07 Thomas MORIGGL ITA (58:13)
10. 06:12 +00:07 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA (58:12)
11. 06:15 +00:10 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE (58:35)
19. 06:17 +00:12 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (57:37)
Split 11 only 30 km (up + down loop 4)
1. 11:20 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR (07:44)
2. 11:23 +00:03 Lukas BAUER CZE (08:43)
3. 11:26 +00:06 Martin JOHNSRUD SUNDBY NOR (09:04)
4. 11:29 +00:08 Alexey POLTORANIN KAZ (10:37)
5. 11:29 +00:08 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA (08:35)
6. 11:33 +00:13 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS (10:18)
7. 11:37 +00:17 Petter ELIASSEN NOR (09:29)
8. 11:37 +00:17 Sergei DOLIDOVICH BLR (09:58)
9. 11:39 +00:18 Keishin YOSHIDA JPN (10:21)
10. 11:41 +00:21 Marcus HELLNER SWE (08:56)
11. 11:42 +00:22 Fabio SANTUS ITA (10:33)

Davos 15 km women: Splits analysis

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 10 Dec 2011@13:38


Marit Bjørgen dominates completely – and wins every single split. Therese Johaug is equal at split number 3 – but except for that there is nothing to do with Bjørgen.

The illustration above (and the Interactive Splitsbrowser here) shows the race development. Except more interesting race development in the mens race!

Split 1
1. 06:14 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
2. 06:17 +00:03 Therese JOHAUG NOR
3. 06:24 +00:11 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
4. 06:27 +00:14 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
5. 06:30 +00:16 Kikkan RANDALL USA
6. 06:31 +00:17 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
7. 06:32 +00:19 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
8. 06:34 +00:20 Charlotte KALLA SWE
9. 06:35 +00:22 Holly BROOKS USA
10. 06:35 +00:22 Aino- Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
11. 06:36 +00:22 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
Split 2
1. 05:33 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
2. 05:41 +00:08 Therese JOHAUG NOR
3. 05:42 +00:09 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
4. 05:42 +00:09 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
5. 05:44 +00:11 Charlotte KALLA SWE
6. 05:47 +00:14 Holly BROOKS USA
7. 05:47 +00:14 Marina PILLER ITA
8. 05:50 +00:17 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
9. 05:50 +00:17 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
10. 05:51 +00:18 Aino- Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
11. 05:52 +00:19 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
Split 3
1. 05:52 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
2. 06:02 +00:10 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
3. 06:04 +00:12 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
4. 06:05 +00:13 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
5. 06:08 +00:16 Therese JOHAUG NOR
6. 06:09 +00:17 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
7. 06:11 +00:19 Michiko KASHIWABARA JPN
8. 06:11 +00:19 Debora AGREITER ITA
9. 06:13 +00:21 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
10. 06:13 +00:21 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
11. 06:13 +00:21 Riikka SARASOJA-LILJA FIN
Split 4
1. 06:31 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 06:31 +00:00 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
3. 06:36 +00:05 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
4. 06:37 +00:06 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
5. 06:42 +00:11 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
6. 06:46 +00:15 Aino- Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
7. 06:47 +00:17 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
8. 06:47 +00:17 Polina MEDVEDEVA RUS
9. 06:47 +00:17 Riikka SARASOJA-LILJA FIN
10. 06:48 +00:17 Lisa LARSEN SWE
11. 06:48 +00:18 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
Split 5
1. 05:44 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
2. 05:45 +00:02 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
3. 05:49 +00:05 Therese JOHAUG NOR
4. 05:50 +00:06 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
5. 05:52 +00:08 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
6. 05:54 +00:11 Aino- Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
7. 05:58 +00:14 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
8. 05:59 +00:15 Silvia RUPIL ITA
9. 06:00 +00:17 Laura AHERVO FIN
10. 06:00 +00:17 Riikka SARASOJA-LILJA FIN
11. 06:01 +00:17 Anna HAAG SWE
Split 6
1. 06:07 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
2. 06:11 +00:05 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
3. 06:16 +00:09 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
4. 06:17 +00:11 Therese JOHAUG NOR
5. 06:20 +00:14 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
6. 06:22 +00:15 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
7. 06:23 +00:17 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
8. 06:24 +00:17 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
9. 06:26 +00:19 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
10. 06:27 +00:20 Sadie BJORNSEN USA
11. 06:27 +00:20 Katrin ZELLER GER
17. 06:30 +00:23 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
Overall (unofficial results from live timing)
1. 36:00 Marit BJOERGEN NOR
2. 36:41 +00:42 Vibeke W SKOFTERUD NOR
3. 36:42 +00:42 Therese JOHAUG NOR
4. 37:19 +01:20 Marthe KRISTOFFERSEN NOR
5. 37:26 +01:26 Justyna KOWALCZYK POL
6. 37:33 +01:34 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
7. 37:54 +01:54 Aino- Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
8. 37:59 +02:00 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
9. 38:16 +02:16 Heidi WENG NOR
10. 38:17 +02:17 Riikka SARASOJA-LILJA FIN
11. 38:17 +02:17 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
12. 38:18 +02:18 Anna HAAG SWE
13. 38:22 +02:22 Holly BROOKS USA
14. 38:28 +02:28 Charlotte KALLA SWE
15. 38:28 +02:28 Katrin ZELLER GER
16. 38:29 +02:30 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
17. 38:31 +02:31 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
18. 38:32 +02:33 Silvia RUPIL ITA
19. 38:39 +02:39 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
20. 38:47 +02:48 Natalia KOROSTELEVA RUS
21. 38:51 +02:51 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
22. 38:54 +02:54 Laura AHERVO FIN
23. 38:55 +02:56 Masako ISHIDA JPN
24. 38:57 +02:58 Julia IVANOVA RUS
25. 38:58 +02:58 Riitta-Liisa ROPONEN FIN
26. 38:59 +03:00 Irina KHAZOVA RUS
27. 39:00 +03:01 Kikkan RANDALL USA
28. 39:02 +03:03 Polina MEDVEDEVA RUS
29. 39:08 +03:08 Veronica CAVALLAR ITA
30. 39:08 +03:09 Olga ROTCHEVA RUS
31. 39:14 +03:15 Debora AGREITER ITA
32. 39:14 +03:15 Doris TRACHSEL SUI
33. 39:19 +03:20 Stefanie BOEHLER GER
34. 39:21 +03:22 Marina PILLER ITA
35. 39:29 +03:29 Barbara JEZERSEK SLO

Davos 30 km/15km: Highlight of the season!

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 09 Dec 2011@17:42


For fans of “old-school” cross country skiing, the Interval start races over 30km/15km free in Davos this weekend are one of the big highlights of the season. The races are skied in a 7.5 km track which is skied 4 times for the men and 2 times for the women – that is also a thing you don’t see to often in the World Cup today.

The races in Davos are tricky because of the altitude of around 1500 meters – making the results a bit different from many other races. 30 km racing for the men with individual start at altitude will thus give interesting race developments and tactics with regards to opening speed.

All the best distance skiers are on the start in Davos. Among the early predictions (70 predictions as of the time when writing this preview), Petter Northug is the favourite ahead of Dario Cologna, Marcus Hellner, Alexander Legkov and Maurice Manificat. Quite a few have also Roland Clara on top after his impressive performance in Kuusamo. Vylegzhanin and Bauer are also popular.

Some thoughts about the men’s race:

  • An individual start 30 km is usually not Northug’s favourite discipline, though – and with long 7.5 km loops, starting last due to World Cup lead and 1 minute start interval between the top skiers, Northug will probably have to do most of the work himself.
  • Cologna is probably one of the biggest favourites. The Swiss skier usually tops his shape for the races on home ground – but still long races are not Cologna’s strongest side.
  • Lukas Bauer is known as a classic specialist, but he has several very strong performances in long individual start races – Bauer has the possibility to show that he is to be counted in Tour de Ski.
  • Anders Södergren and Remo Fischer have done some impressive individual start 50 km races – they might be in the top in Davos as well if the shape is there.
  • Gaillard, Clara and DiCenta can also mix in among the top skiers – and of course also Hellner, Legkov, Manificat and Vylegzhanin.

Among the women, we have the usual favourites: The Norwegians, Kowalczyk and Kalla. These longer individual start races (although 15 km is not very long) are the best possibilities for Johaug and maybe also Størmer Steira to beat Bjørgen – but Bjørgen is still the big favourite. Some thoughts about the women’s race:

  • Bjørgen is the big favourite – it would be a surprise if she didn’t take the victory.
  • Johaug, Kowalczyk and Kalla are the runner ups – along with Skofterud. Is Kowalczyk finally finding her shape now?
  • Saarinen and Haag are two of the outsiders, but they will probably not fight for the medals

XC Predictions: Results Düsseldorf

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 03 Dec 2011@14:29

The victories of Kikkan Randall and Ola Vigen Hattestad was no big surprise – but Matveeva in second and especially Van der Graaf in third among the women (who had heard about her ahead of today?) were both big surprises!

In the mens class, Golberg in third was also quite a surprise among many.

XC Predictions results

In the predictions, David Charabin took today’s victory predicting both the victories of Hattestad and Randall. Charabin was 56 points ahead of Helena with Simon in third and JanK in fourth. In the overall varjak is in the lead ahead of tolsrav.

Overall results
Place Name Points #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10
1. varjak 3391 595 395 755 667 461 518
2. tolsrav 3342 485 346 681 814 560 456
3. Mountainmums 3329 480 421 662 791 498 477
4. Luca D. 3301 491 457 689 701 470 493
5. dagger 3294 550 387 723 746 573 315
6. Sanna 3290 613 394 610 662 544 467
7. Gabriel 3270 564 329 715 712 522 428
8. uttern 3242 536 359 651 733 501 462
9. JonasE 3233 580 457 485 691 547 473
10. Roberto Dallavalle 3228 520 446 613 674 468 507


Sprint Splits – Düsseldorf

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 03 Dec 2011@14:21

The two Norwegian men clearly showed that they had the best stamina in today’s sprint in Düsseldorf – summed time of all heats of 11:46 (Golberg) and 11:48 (Hattestad) is well ahead of the others. In the women’s class, Randall was incredible today – in all heats.

See below for split times and sum of split times.

Men – Overall (unofficial results from live timing!)
Ola Vigen HATTESTAD. NOR 02:57 02:56 02:56 02:58 (11:48)
Alexey PETUKHOV. RUS 02:57 02:57 03:02 02:56 (11:53)
Paal GOLBERG. NOR 02:57 02:57 02:56 02:54 (11:46)
Anssi PENTSINEN. FIN 02:59 02:58 03:01 02:57 (11:57)
Teodor PETERSON. SWE 02:59 02:59 03:02 02:56 (11:58)
Federico PELLEGRINO. ITA 03:04 02:58 03:02 02:58 (12:05)
Eirik BRANDSDAL. NOR 02:58 02:56 03:00 (08:56)
Matias STRANDVALL. FIN 02:59 02:57 02:59 (08:56)
Tomas NORTHUG. NOR 02:59 03:03 02:59 (09:02)
Eligius TAMBORNINO. SUI 02:59 02:59 02:55 (08:54)
Joeri KINDSCHI. SUI 03:07 03:01 02:59 (09:08)
Martin JAEGER. SUI 03:20 02:59 02:58 (09:18)
Jesper MODIN. SWE 02:57 02:57 (05:55)
Oeystein PETTERSEN. NOR 02:57 02:59 (05:57)
Johan KJOELSTAD. NOR 03:00 02:57 (05:58)
John Kristian DAHL. NOR 03:00 02:59 (06:00)
Mickail Jun. DEVJATIAROV. RUS 03:01 03:00 (06:02)
Martti JYLHAE. FIN 03:01 02:58 (06:00)
Josef WENZL. GER 03:02 02:55 (05:58)
Tim TSCHARNKE. GER 03:02 03:00 (06:02)
Andrew NEWELL. USA 03:03 02:58 (06:02)
Nikita KRIUKOV. RUS 03:03 02:56 (06:00)
Devon KERSHAW. CAN 03:03 02:58 (06:02)
Roddy DARRAGON. FRA 03:03 02:59 (06:02)
Anton LINDBLAD. SWE 03:03 02:59 (06:03)
Sebastian EISENLAUER. GER 03:03 02:59 (06:03)
Robin BRYNTESSON. SWE 03:03 03:00 (06:04)
Daniel HEUN. GER 03:03 03:00 (06:04)
Anders GLOEERSEN. NOR 03:04 02:56 (06:01)
Stanislav BOGDANOV. RUS 03:04 03:00 (06:04)
Anton GAFAROV. RUS 03:00 (03:01)
Valerio LECCARDI. SUI 03:00 (03:01)
Renato PASINI. ITA 03:00 (03:01)
Nikolay MORILOV. RUS 03:00 (03:01)
Jan BARTON. CZE 03:00 (03:01)
Baptiste GROS. FRA 03:00 (03:01)
Kein EINASTE. EST 03:01 (03:01)
Calle HALFVARSSON. SWE 03:01 (03:01)
Lasse PAAKKONEN. FIN 03:01 (03:01)
Timo SIMONLATSER. EST 03:01 (03:02)
Drew GOLDSACK. CAN 03:01 (03:02)
Len VALJAS. CAN 03:02 (03:02)
Markus OTTOSSON. SWE 03:02 (03:03)
Denis VOLOTKA. KAZ 03:02 (03:03)
Harald WURM. AUT 03:02 (03:03)
Kusti KITTILAE. FIN 03:02 (03:03)
Antti HAEKAEMIES. FIN 03:03 (03:03)
Nikolay CHEBOTKO. KAZ 03:03 (03:03)
Martin STOCKINGER. AUT 03:03 (03:03)
Dusan KOZISEK. CZE 03:03 (03:04)
Alexander PANZHINSKIY. RUS 03:03 (03:04)
Peeter KUMMEL. EST 03:03 (03:04)
Maciej STAREGA. POL 03:03 (03:04)
Ales RAZYM. CZE 03:04 (03:04)
Aurelius HERBURGER. AUT 03:04 (03:04)
Oliver WUENSCH. GER 03:04 (03:04)
Fulvio SCOLA. ITA 03:04 (03:05)
Yevgeniy KOSHEVOY. KAZ 03:04 (03:05)
David HOFER. ITA 03:04 (03:05)
Thomas BING. GER 03:04 (03:05)
Bernhard TRITSCHER. AUT 03:05 (03:06)
Cyril MIRANDA. FRA 03:05 (03:06)
Alexander WOLZ. GER 03:06 (03:06)
Siim SELLIS. EST 03:06 (03:06)
Renaud JAY. FRA 03:06 (03:07)
Daniel MAKA. CZE 03:08 (03:09)
Jens FILBRICH. GER 03:09 (03:09)
Janmatie KOSTNER. ITA 03:09 (03:10)
Sebastian GAZUREK. POL 03:11 (03:11)
Andres KOLLO. EST 03:12 (03:12)
Skyler DAVIS. USA 03:12 (03:13)

Women overall (unofficial results from live timing!)

Kikkan RANDALL. USA 01:44 01:42 01:43 01:44 (06:55)
Natalia MATVEEVA. RUS 01:45 01:47 01:46 01:42 (07:02)
Chandra CRAWFORD. CAN 01:45 01:43 01:46 01:45 (07:01)
Hanna BRODIN. SWE 01:46 01:42 01:43 01:44 (06:57)
Riikka SARASOJA-LILJA. FIN 01:59 01:44 01:44 01:41 (07:09)
Mia ERIKSSON. SWE 01:44 01:46 01:44 (05:16)
Mari EIDE. NOR 01:44 01:46 01:45 (05:17)
Mona-Lisa MALVALEHTO. FIN 01:47 01:45 01:43 (05:16)
Maiken Caspersen FALLA. NOR 01:47 01:44 01:44 (05:17)
Ingvild Flugstad OESTBERG. NOR 01:47 01:46 01:45 (05:20)
Hanna KOLB. GER 01:52 01:46 01:43 (05:22)
Vesna FABJAN. SLO 01:45 01:46 (03:32)
Marion BUILLET. FRA 01:46 01:45 (03:32)
Kari Vikhagen GJEITNES. NOR 01:46 01:45 (03:33)
Katja VISNAR. SLO 01:46 01:43 (03:30)
Heidi WENG. NOR 01:46 01:45 (03:33)
Anne KYLLOENEN. FIN 01:46 01:44 (03:31)
Gaia VUERICH. ITA 01:46 01:46 (03:33)
Bettina GRUBER. SUI 01:46 01:46 (03:34)
Natalia KOROSTELEVA. RUS 01:47 01:46 (03:34)
Triin OJASTE. EST 01:47 01:47 (03:35)
Svetlana NIKOLAEVA. RUS 01:47 01:43 (03:32)
Oxana YATSKAYA. KAZ 01:47 01:47 (03:35)
Maria GROENVOLL. NOR 01:48 01:46 (03:34)
Alenka CEBASEK. SLO 01:48 01:44 (03:33)
Linn SOEMSKAR. SWE 01:48 01:45 (03:34)
Elisa BROCARD. ITA 01:49 01:44 (03:34)
Hanna FALK. SWE 01:50 01:47 (03:38)
Lucia ANGER. GER 01:54 01:47 (03:42)
Laurien VAN DER GRAAF. SUI 01:44 (01:44)
Elena SOBOLEVA. RUS 01:47 (01:47)
Perianne JONES. CAN 01:47 (01:48)
Sandra RINGWALD. GER 01:47 (01:48)
Sadie BJORNSEN. USA 01:47 (01:48)
Evgenia SHAPOVALOVA. RUS 01:47 (01:48)
Anastasia DOTSENKO. RUS 01:47 (01:48)
Denise HERRMANN. GER 01:47 (01:48)
Alysson MARSHALL. CAN 01:48 (01:48)
Lina KORSGREN. SWE 01:48 (01:48)
Aurore JEAN. FRA 01:48 (01:49)
Kari Oeyre SLIND. NOR 01:48 (01:49)
Karolina GROHOVA. CZE 01:48 (01:49)
Laure BARTHELEMY. FRA 01:48 (01:49)
Manon LOCATELLI. FRA 01:49 (01:49)
Maria GRUNDVALL. FIN 01:49 (01:49)
Daria GAIAZOVA. CAN 01:49 (01:49)
Katerina SMUTNA. AUT 01:49 (01:50)
Ida INGEMARSDOTTER. SWE 01:49 (01:50)
Piret PORMEISTER. EST 01:49 (01:50)
Barbara JEZERSEK. SLO 01:50 (01:50)
Holly BROOKS. USA 01:50 (01:50)
Ida SARGENT. USA 01:50 (01:51)
Eva NYVLTOVA. CZE 01:50 (01:51)
Greta LAURENT. ITA 01:51 (01:51)
Virginia DE MARTIN TOPRANIN. ITA 01:53 (01:53)
Agnieszka SZYMANCZAK. POL 01:56 (01:57)
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