Preview & Predictions: World Cup Szklarska Poreba

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 17 Jan 2014@19:56

With national championships in Norway, Sweden and Finland, the start fields in the World Cup round in Szklarska Poreba, Poland this weekend are quite slim – with many of the big favourites missing. With two Olympic disciplines being organized in Poland, this is still an important test for the skiers present.

The currently best woman free technique sprinter in the world – Kikkan Randall – is however on the start line. Challenging Randall is German Denise Herrmann who has been impressively stable in free technique sprint this season – in four of four possible finals (3rd, 2nd, 3rd and 5th). The victory is still missing though – will it come in Poland. Outsiders are Laurien Van der Graff (2nd in Czech Republic last weekend), Hanna Kolb, Gaia Vuerich and Sophie Caldwell.

In the mens class three of the finalists from last weekend are on the start line Federico Pellegrino (2nd), Alexey Petukhov (3rd) and Nikolay Morilov (5th). Pellegrino has four finals of four possible this season in free technique sprint (twice 2nd) – and is the favourite for his first World Cup victory. Also look out for the Prologue specialist Andrew Newell, Alex Harvey, Josef Wenzl, Nikita Kriukov and Cyril Miranda.

Historical results: Men Free technique, Sprint
Name Nove Mesto na Morave
2014-01-11
Sprint Free
Lenzerheide
2013-12-31
Sprint Free
Oberhof
2013-12-29
Sprint Free
Davos
2013-12-15
Sprint Free
Lahti
2013-03-09
Sprint Free
Sochi
2013-02-01
Sprint Free
PELLEGRINO Federico 2nd 4th 2nd 6th 31st 56th
PETUKHOV Alexey 3rd 4th 14th 6th
MORILOV Nikolay 5th 18th 9th 11th
NEWELL Andrew 17th 8th 10th 17th 27th 13th
HARVEY Alex 2nd 11th 45th 56th
WENZL Josef 15th 11th 5th 16th
GAFAROV Anton 18th 13th 6th 12th
KRIUKOV Nikita 10th 12th 70th 5th
EISENLAUER Sebastian 55th 18th 7th 15th 24th
STAREGA Maciej 16th 14th 16th 19th 46th
KINDSCHI Joeri 25th 22nd 15th 46th 13th 34th
TAMBORNINO Eligius 12th 17th 39th 25th 23rd
TSCHARNKE Tim 10th 13th 41st
RETIVYKH Gleb 43rd 5th 39th
KERSHAW Devon 56th 18th 69th 8th
TRITSCHER Bernhard 27th 13th 26th 51st 46th 16th
WURM Harald 30th 21st 38th 42nd 48th 10th
HEDIGER Jovian 47th 41st 7th 58th
MIRANDA Cyril 8th
JAY Renaud 13th 40th 35th 48th
DOBLER Jonas 36th 14th
Historical results: Women Free technique, Sprint
Name Nove Mesto na Morave
2014-01-11
Sprint Free
Lenzerheide
2013-12-31
Sprint Free
Oberhof
2013-12-29
Sprint Free
Davos
2013-12-15
Sprint Free
Lahti
2013-03-09
Sprint Free
Sochi
2013-02-01
Sprint Free
RANDALL Kikkan 1st 2nd 1st 1st
HERRMANN Denise 5th 3rd 2nd 3rd 14th 14th
VAN DER GRAAFF Laurien 2nd 4th 13th 10th 15th 8th
KOLB Hanna 14th 5th 10th 22nd 12th 9th
VUERICH Gaia 4th 10th 9th 21st 19th
CALDWELL Sophie 15th 6th 22nd 9th 55th
DIGGINS Jessica 21st 18th 12th 25th 15th
RINGWALD Sandra 21st 15th 17th 19th 17th
VISNAR Katja 11th 14th 19th 27th
KOROSTELEVA Natalia 25th 17th 20th 11th
FABJAN Vesna 5th 21st 39th
MATVEEVA Natalia 19th 35th 8th 28th
GAIAZOVA Daria 13th 45th 27th 42nd 39th 12th
ANGER Lucia 27th 40th 6th
LAURENT Greta 17th 11th 56th 28th 44th
SARGENT Ida 50th 41st 38th 6th
KOWALCZYK Justyna 34th 25th 10th 43rd
JASKOWIEC Sylwia 23rd 12th 56th
NIKOLAEVA Svetlana 29th 36th 10th

Sprint Free Technique Nove Mesto: Preview and Predictions

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 10 Jan 2014@18:54

[Startlists are ready!] With free technique sprint on the program on February 11th in Sochi, there is a lot of focus on this discipline in the World Cup the coming month. The free technique sprint in Nove Mesto na Morave in Czech Republic this weekend is the first of three free technique sprints ahead of Sochi.

Although some of the sprinters participated at the Tour de Ski, most of the pure sprint specialists have had a training period – preparing themselves for the important competition period ahead of the Olympics. On the other hand, several of the sprinters who participated in Tour de Ski have now got a rest period.

Men

Several of the top sprinters where not at the start in Tour de Ski. The best sprinter last year –

  • Swedish Emil Jönsson – is hoping to show that he can do well also this season. In Davos in the middle of December he finished only 22nd.
  • Italian Federica Pellegrino showed good shape at the sprints in Tour de Ski (4th and 2nd) – and was also 6th in Davos. An interesting skier in Nove Mesto.
  • Anders Gløersen (Norway) won the Davos sprint – look out for this Norwegian who can move swiftly through the field towards the end of the race.
  • Finn Haagen Krogh has been mentioned among the favourites all of the season – but has so far “only” two 5th places from Davos and Lenzerheide in free technique sprint. Has he recovered well enough after the first part of the Tour?
  • Simon Hamilton won the sprint in Lenzerheide during Tour de Ski – was that only a one-timer – or can he play with the best again?
  • There are several others who can win this sprint – among them Teodor Peterson, Ola Vigen Hattestad, Martti Julhëe, Sergey Ustiugov.

See below for historical results.

Women

In the women’s class most of the top sprinters were at the Tour de Ski – and several of them jumped off before the end. Notably absent at the Tour was Kikkan Randall – the big favourite in Nove Mesto.

  • Randall has four wins and two second places in her last 6 starts in the World Cup in free technique sprint. The big, big favourite both here and at the Olympics.
  • Ingvild Flugstad Østberg was very impressive at the Tour de Ski – winning in Lenzerheide and 3rd in Oberhof.
  • German Denise Hermann was just as impressive as Flugstad Østberg – racing well in qualification and heat after heat. Finishing 2nd in Oberhof and 3rd in Lenzerheide.
  • Hanna Erikson took the victory in Oberhof, and has the series 7 – 1 – 4 in the three free technique sprints organized so far this season.
  • Maiken Caspersen Falla is the only one except for Marit Bjørgen who has beaten Kikkan Randall in a free technique sprint the last year. Has not had full success in the sprints so far this season, but has now trained well and wants to show her shape.
  • Also look out for Ingemarsdobber, Aurore, Brun-Lie, Kolb and Van der Graff.
Historical results: Men Free technique, Sprint
Name

Lenzerheide
2013-12-31
Sprint Free

Oberhof
2013-12-29
Sprint Free

Davos
2013-12-15
Sprint Free

Lahti
2013-03-09
Sprint Free

Sochi
2013-02-01
Sprint Free

Val Muestair
2013-01-01
Sprint Free

Canmore
2012-12-15
Sprint Free

Quebec
2012-12-08
Sprint Free
JOENSSON Emil    
22nd
1st
31st
6th
1st
1st
PELLEGRINO Federico
4th
2nd
6th
31st
56th
2nd
6th
28th
GLOEERSEN Anders    
1st
21st
9th
 
2nd
4th
KROGH Finn Haagen
5th
29th
5th
3rd
 
1st
   
NEWELL Andrew
8th
10th
17th
27th
13th
9th
5th
5th
NORTHUG Petter jr.
7th
6th
 
28th
1st
8th
   
HALFVARSSON Calle
6th
1st
26th
17th
 
5th
   
PETUKHOV Alexey    
4th
14th
6th
 
22nd
3rd
KRIUKOV Nikita    
12th
70th
5th
 
3rd
12th
VALJAS Len    
61st
8th
20th
3rd
7th
46th
HARVEY Alex
2nd
11th
45th
56th
 
12th
52nd
21st
HAMILTON Simeon
1st
35th
14th
58th
17th
   
33rd
COLOGNA Dario      
41st
2nd
4th
   
JYLHAE Martti    
2nd
18th
50th
 
16th
17th
SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud
3rd
3rd
48th
         
USTIUGOV Sergey    
3rd
23rd
4th
     
PETERSON Teodor    
7th
34th
77th
 
48th
2nd
HATTESTAD Ola Vigen    
11th
2nd
44th
     
TSCHARNKE Tim
10th
13th
 
41st
   
4th
 
CHERNOUSOV Ilia
9th
19th
   
7th
14th
   
MORILOV Nikolay    
18th
9th
11th
 
19th
16th
HOFER David
20th
71st
59th
56th
3rd
21st
21st
29th
KINDSCHI Joeri
22nd
15th
46th
13th
34th
 
25th
6th
CHEBOTKO Nikolay    
37th
4th
22nd
18th
39th
14th
GAFAROV Anton    
13th
6th
12th
 
23rd
37th
WENZL Josef
11th
5th
16th
     
46th
36th
PENTSINEN Anssi
28th
39th
27th
11th
29th
 
18th
9th
EISENLAUER Sebastian
18th
7th
15th
 
24th
     
WURM Harald
21st
38th
42nd
48th
10th
 
8th
27th
PERSSON Simon    
9th
15th
61st
 
11th
48th
BRANDSDAL Eirik    
8th
     
40th
7th
ERIKSSON Jens
17th
4th
 
29th
52nd
     
KERSHAW Devon
56th
18th
69th
 
8th
15th
50th
34th
HEDIGER Jovian    
41st
7th
58th
 
26th
23rd
RETIVYKH Gleb    
43rd
5th
39th
 
31st
56th
LEGKOV Alexander
37th
9th
     
19th
   
EDIN Johan      
26th
71st
 
29th
8th
DEVJATIAROV Mikhail Jun.    
33rd
53rd
33rd
 
10th
19th
HELLNER Marcus      
64th
 
7th
   
BELOV Evgeniy
49th
8th
           
COCKNEY Jesse    
82nd
50th
   
9th
32nd
VYLEGZHANIN Maxim          
10th
   
SCHAAD Roman    
10th
         
SKAR Sindre Bjoernestad      
10th
       
BRYNTESSON Robin    
32nd
43rd
   
38th
10th
Historical results: Women Free technique, Sprint
Name

Lenzerheide
2013-12-31
Sprint Free

Oberhof
2013-12-29
Sprint Free

Davos
2013-12-15
Sprint Free

Lahti
2013-03-09
Sprint Free

Sochi
2013-02-01
Sprint Free

Val Müstair
2013-01-01
Sprint Free

Canmore
2012-12-15
Sprint Free

Quebec
2012-12-08
Sprint Free
RANDALL Kikkan    
2nd
1st
1st
1st
2nd
1st
OESTBERG Ingvild Flugstad
1st
3rd
7th
13th
 
2nd
5th
4th
HERRMANN Denise
3rd
2nd
3rd
14th
14th
8th
4th
9th
BJOERGEN Marit
13th
5th
1st
2nd
       
FALLA Maiken Caspersen    
8th
33rd
   
1st
2nd
VAN DER GRAAFF Laurien
4th
13th
10th
15th
8th
12th
8th
31st
KOLB Hanna
5th
10th
22nd
12th
9th
4th
17th
30th
ERIKSON Hanna
8th
1st
4th
         
JACOBSEN Astrid Uhrenholdt
2nd
26th
13th
30th
4th
13th
   
KYLLOENEN Anne
7th
8th
20th
23rd
13th
26th
12th
7th
BRUN-LIE Celine    
18th
7th
3rd
 
3rd
34th
JEAN Aurore
9th
29th
44th
18th
2nd
9th
18th
 
INGEMARSDOTTER Ida    
39th
 
7th
 
9th
3rd
WENG Heidi
12th
35th
15th
11th
 
3rd
   
CALDWELL Sophie
6th
22nd
9th
55th
   
23rd
14th
KOROSTELEVA Natalia    
17th
20th
11th
19th
35th
6th
VUERICH Gaia
10th
9th
21st
 
19th
 
36th
15th
SARASOJA-LILJA Riikka
35th
34th
11th
5th
 
11th
   
FABJAN Vesna    
5th
21st
39th
16th
16th
26th
KALLA Charlotte    
31st
6th
 
6th
   
KOWALCZYK Justyna    
25th
10th
43rd
7th
21st
 
JOHAUG Therese
24th
7th
 
49th
 
10th
   
PROCHAZKOVA Alena    
46th
3rd
24th
     
SARGENT Ida    
41st
38th
6th
 
10th
44th
FESSEL Nicole  
4th
 
56th
20th
     
NILSSON Stina    
6th
17th
25th
     
BJORNSEN Sadie    
27th
9th
21st
 
22nd
27th
NIKOLAEVA Svetlana      
36th
10th
 
37th
11th
JOHANSSON NORGREN Britta      
4th
45th
     
MALVALEHTO Mona-Lisa    
33rd
63rd
30th
 
33rd
5th
STEIRA Kristin Stoermer
52nd
54th
     
5th
   
SOEMSKAR Linn      
22nd
40th
 
7th
33rd
LAUKKANEN Mari        
5th
     
ANGER Lucia
40th
6th
           
CRAWFORD Chandra    
43rd
 
51st
 
6th
32nd
PAJALA Magdalena      
31st
   
25th
8th
MATVEEVA Natalia    
35th
8th
28th
     
FALK Hanna    
30th
27th
62nd
 
56th
10th

Analysis: Final Climb 2014 – Men

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 05 Jan 2014@16:25

The Final Climb turned into a Norwegian celebration also in the Men’s class with Martin Johnsrud Sundby on top ahead of Chris Jespersen – but the Austrian Johannes Duerr impressed again with best stage time, best climb time and taking the third place overall in the Tour de Ski!

The above illustration is a graphical analysis of the race development based on the split times. A line which is flat means that a skier has the same time as Martin Johnsrud Sundby for the split (Sundby’s line is flat all the way on the top). A line which goes down represents slower speed – a line which goes up represents faster speed. Key moments are marked on the illustration.

Key moments

Looking at the illustration above you see the key moments in the race:

  • Sundby alone in the lead all the way. Steadily loosing time to Jespersen, but never in danger.
  • Jespersen catches Northug at around 6 km (bottom of the hill) and leaves him soon after. Jespersen is faster than Sundby nearly all the way – closing the gap down to 36 seconds in the end.
  • Duerr forms a group with Chernousov and Halfvarsson. The group looses time in the flat part until 6 km – nearly 45 seconds is lost. Legkov and Roethe catch the group just at the bottom of the hill.
  • At the start of the hill, Duerr speeds up and only Chernousov dares to keep up his speed for some hundred meters. However the speed increase is too tough for Chernousov, and after Chernousov has to let Duerr go, he looses a lot of time and is passed by both Roethe and Legkov.
  • Duerr continues to have the highest speed in the field all the way to the top – and passes Northug to take the third spot in the overall.
  • Roethe leaves Legkov early in the hill, finishing in 7th. Rothe nearly caught Northug – but had a few seconds left when arriving at the top of Aple Cermis.

Looking at the stage times (see list below), Johannes Duerr won the stage 4 seconds ahead of Chris Jespersen – even with the slow start. In the climb itself, Duerr was exceptionally fast – winning the climb in 16:46 – 45 seconds ahead of Babikov with Roethe a few seconds behind.

GPS analysis

FIS has again published GPS-data for the race – making it possible to follow the race development in detail. Below parts of the race development is described based on the GPS-data.

Fight for victory: Sundby versus Jespersen

This illustration which is based on the GPS-data shows a comparison between Sundby and Jespersen. The red line shows how far Jespersen is behind Sundby as a function of time. From the illustration one can see how Jespersen closes in on Sundby all the way until 5 km. The gap is constant between 5 km and 8 km – and then Jespersen closes in another 25-30 second the last km (at this time Sundby probably knew that the victory was his – while Jespersen was still securing his second spot).

Fight for second spot: Northug versus Jespersen

Here you see how Jespersen starts 35 seconds behind Northug, and catches him just after 5 km. They ski together the first part of the hill (until 7 km), where Northug has to let Jespersen go.

Fight for second spot: Duerr versus Jespersen

Duerr had a small possibility to catch Jespersen and take second spot, but lost too much time in the flat part. If the Duerr-group would have worked well together in the flat part, this could have been a second spot for Duerr. However, Duerr was too much of a favourite in the climb – the others were not interested in helping him.

Fight for third spot: Duerr versus Northug

Duerr loses a few seconds to Northug the first 7 km (the flat part and the first part of the hill), and then is a lot faster when the hill really starts. Duerr speeds down briefly when catching Northug around 8.3 km – but then races on towards Jespersen.

Fight for third spot: Duerr versus Chernousov

Chernousov stayed with Duerr until the hill started to get really steep around 7 km – then it was good bye!

Fight for third spot: Duerr versus Legkov

Legkov worked hard in the flat part to catch Duerr – and eventually managed to catch the Austrian at the start of the hill around 6 km. Legkov managed to keep up in the flatter part of the hill – but then it was good bye to Legkov a bit before Chernousov.

Fight for third spot: Duerr versus Røthe

Røthe looked like he could be fighting for third place when he nearly caught Duerr at the bottom of the hill around 6 km – but in the hill Røthe didn’t have a chance!

Fight for 4th spot: Røthe versus Northug

Røthe skied well all the way, and nearly, nearly managed to catch Northug. In the end Røthe was a few seconds too late…

Climb times (only last hill, unofficial from live timing)
1. 16:46 Johannes DUERR AUT
2. 17:31 +00:45 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
3. 17:32 +00:47 Sjur ROETHE NOR
4. 17:36 +00:50 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
5. 17:40 +00:54 Martin JAKS CZE
6. 17:41 +00:56 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
7. 17:41 +00:56 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
8. 17:48 +01:02 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
9. 17:50 +01:04 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
10. 17:55 +01:10 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
11. 17:57 +01:11 Thomas MORIGGL ITA
12. 17:59 +01:13 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
16. 18:08 +01:22 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
37. 18:54 +02:09 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
Alpe Cermis stage times (unofficial results from live timing)
1. 31:55 Johannes DUERR AUT
2. 31:59 +00:04 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
3. 32:05 +00:11 Sjur ROETHE NOR
4. 32:14 +00:19 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
5. 32:14 +00:20 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
6. 32:18 +00:24 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
7. 32:22 +00:28 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
8. 32:26 +00:32 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
9. 32:27 +00:32 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
10. 32:32 +00:38 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
11. 32:36 +00:41 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
12. 32:43 +00:49 Thomas MORIGGL ITA
13. 32:44 +00:50 Martin JAKS CZE
14. 32:48 +00:53 Martin BAJCICAK SVK
15. 32:50 +00:55 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
16. 32:52 +00:57 Jiri MAGAL CZE
17. 33:02 +01:07 Michail SEMENOV BLR
18. 33:02 +01:08 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
19. 33:06 +01:12 Sergei DOLIDOVICH BLR
20. 33:11 +01:16 Jonas DOBLER GER
21. 33:12 +01:17 Petr SEDOV RUS
22. 33:12 +01:18 Lari LEHTONEN FIN
23. 33:13 +01:18 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
24. 33:13 +01:18 Ivan PERRILLAT BOITEUX FRA
25. 33:16 +01:22 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
26. 33:25 +01:30 Alexander LASUTKIN BLR
27. 33:25 +01:30 Noah HOFFMAN USA
28. 33:26 +01:32 Andy KUEHNE GER
29. 33:30 +01:36 Konstantin GLAVATSKIKH RUS
30. 33:35 +01:41 Hannes DOTZLER GER
31. 33:40 +01:46 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
32. 33:41 +01:47 Andrey LARKOV RUS
33. 33:47 +01:52 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
34. 33:47 +01:53 Jens FILBRICH GER
35. 33:49 +01:54 Toni LIVERS SUI
Split 1
1. 04:04 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
2. 04:06 +00:02 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
3. 04:06 +00:02 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
4. 04:08 +00:04 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
5. 04:08 +00:04 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
6. 04:08 +00:04 Jonas DOBLER GER
7. 04:08 +00:05 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE
8. 04:09 +00:05 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
9. 04:10 +00:06 Sjur ROETHE NOR
10. 04:10 +00:06 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
11. 04:10 +00:06 Daniel RICHARDSSON SWE
13. 04:12 +00:08 Johannes DUERR AUT
15. 04:12 +00:08 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
17. 04:13 +00:09 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
18. 04:13 +00:09 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
19. 04:13 +00:10 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
26. 04:18 +00:14 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
Split 2
1. 04:28 Thomas BING GER
2. 04:29 +00:01 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
3. 04:30 +00:02 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
4. 04:32 +00:04 Michail SEMENOV BLR
5. 04:33 +00:05 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
6. 04:33 +00:06 Jiri MAGAL CZE
7. 04:34 +00:07 Martin BAJCICAK SVK
8. 04:35 +00:07 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
9. 04:36 +00:08 Jonas BAUMANN SUI
10. 04:36 +00:08 Jonas DOBLER GER
11. 04:36 +00:08 Karel TAMMJARV EST
17. 04:37 +00:10 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
20. 04:38 +00:10 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
25. 04:41 +00:13 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
28. 04:42 +00:15 Sjur ROETHE NOR
31. 04:45 +00:17 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
41. 04:49 +00:21 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
49. 04:54 +00:27 Johannes DUERR AUT
Split 3
1. 05:33 Thomas BING GER
2. 05:34 +00:01 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
3. 05:36 +00:03 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
4. 05:40 +00:07 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
5. 05:40 +00:08 Gustav ERIKSSON SWE
6. 05:40 +00:08 Martin BAJCICAK SVK
7. 05:41 +00:08 Thomas MORIGGL ITA
8. 05:41 +00:08 Ivan PERRILLAT BOITEUX FRA
9. 05:41 +00:08 Sjur ROETHE NOR
10. 05:42 +00:09 Jonas BAUMANN SUI
11. 05:42 +00:09 Carl QUICKLUND SWE
23. 05:48 +00:15 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
24. 05:48 +00:16 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
28. 05:50 +00:17 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
29. 05:50 +00:17 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
38. 05:55 +00:22 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
41. 05:57 +00:24 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
48. 06:03 +00:30 Johannes DUERR AUT
Split 4
1. 02:49 Johannes DUERR AUT
2. 02:49 +00:01 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
3. 02:53 +00:04 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
4. 02:53 +00:04 Sjur ROETHE NOR
5. 02:56 +00:07 Thomas MORIGGL ITA
6. 02:57 +00:08 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
7. 02:58 +00:09 Ivan PERRILLAT BOITEUX FRA
8. 02:58 +00:09 Jiri MAGAL CZE
9. 02:58 +00:10 Martin BAJCICAK SVK
10. 02:58 +00:10 Michail SEMENOV BLR
11. 02:59 +00:10 Andrey LARKOV RUS
12. 02:59 +00:10 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
13. 02:59 +00:10 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
15. 03:00 +00:11 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
16. 03:00 +00:11 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
17. 03:01 +00:12 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
21. 03:02 +00:13 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
22. 03:02 +00:14 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
28. 03:03 +00:14 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
30. 03:04 +00:15 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
Split 5
1. 05:29 Johannes DUERR AUT
2. 05:38 +00:09 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
3. 05:38 +00:09 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
4. 05:43 +00:14 Sjur ROETHE NOR
5. 05:44 +00:15 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
6. 05:46 +00:17 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
7. 05:46 +00:17 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
8. 05:47 +00:18 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
9. 05:48 +00:19 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
10. 05:50 +00:22 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
11. 05:51 +00:22 Alexander UTKIN RUS
19. 05:56 +00:28 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
31. 06:06 +00:37 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
Split 6
1. 04:27 Johannes DUERR AUT
2. 04:38 +00:11 Martin JAKS CZE
3. 04:40 +00:13 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
4. 04:44 +00:16 Sjur ROETHE NOR
5. 04:44 +00:17 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
6. 04:44 +00:17 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
7. 04:47 +00:20 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
8. 04:49 +00:22 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
9. 04:49 +00:22 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
10. 04:51 +00:24 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
11. 04:52 +00:25 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
15. 04:55 +00:28 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
24. 05:03 +00:36 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
28. 05:05 +00:38 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
Split 7
1. 04:01 Johannes DUERR AUT
2. 04:02 +00:01 Martin JAKS CZE
3. 04:03 +00:02 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
4. 04:06 +00:05 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
5. 04:07 +00:06 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
6. 04:08 +00:07 Thomas MORIGGL ITA
7. 04:08 +00:07 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
8. 04:09 +00:08 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
9. 04:10 +00:09 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
10. 04:11 +00:10 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
11. 04:11 +00:10 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
12. 04:11 +00:10 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
14. 04:13 +00:12 Sjur ROETHE NOR
15. 04:15 +00:14 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
19. 04:17 +00:16 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
43. 04:43 +00:42 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR

Analysis: Final Climb 2014 – Women

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 05 Jan 2014@14:50

The Final Climb turned into a Norwegian celebration in the Women’s class in this edition of the Tour de Ski. As expected Therese Johaug was stronger than Astrid Jacobsen and took the overall victory. However Jacobsen gave Johaug a fight nearly all the way to the finish – and Johaug’s gap down to Jacobsen was only 20 seconds in the end.

Looking at the illustration above you see the key moments in the race: How Johaug passes Jacobsen between 7 and 8 km, how Weng beats the Finnish trio for the third place and how Stephen advances to 7th place.

The illustration above is a graphical illustration of the race development based on the split times. A line which is flat means that a skier has the same time as Therese Johaug for the split (Johaug’s line is flat all the way on the top). A line which goes down represents slower speed – a line which goes up represents faster speed. Key moments are marked on the illustration.

Looking at the stage times Johaug crushed everybody on the stage as she has done four times before. Johaug won the stage 44 seconds ahead of Jacobsen with Elizabeth Stephen (USA) in third. Looking at the final climb only (just the hill), Stephen was second – only 16 seconds behind Johaug with Weng and Ishida in shared third at +34 seconds.

GPS analysis

FIS has again published GPS-data for the race – making it possible to follow the race development in detail. Below parts of the race development is described based on the GPS-data.

Jacobsen versus Johaug

The below illustration compares Jacobsen and Johaug. When the red line is below the thick black line, Johaug is behind Jacobsen – when it is above Johaug is in front. As you can see that the gap is constant all the way until 6 km where the hill starts. From 6 km Johaug starts to “eat up” the gap – catching Jacobsen at 7.4 km. Johaug only stays at the back for a few meters before getting away and quickly building up a big gap. The gap is at 30 seconds at its maximum – but then drops to around 20 seconds in the end.

Weng versus the Finnish trio

The first of the illustrations below compare Weng with Lahteenmaki. As you can see Weng catches Lahteenmaki after around 1 km of skiing. They then stay together until around 6.5 km where Weng gets a small gap. Lahteenmaki hangs on until 7.3 km though – but then Weng quickly gets a gap of 20 seconds. Towards the end Lahteenmaki catches Weng again (but as we know Weng was faster in the finish sprint).

Climb times (only last hill)
1. 19:47 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 20:03 +00:16 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
3. 20:21 +00:34 Heidi WENG NOR
4. 20:21 +00:34 Masako ISHIDA JPN
5. 20:27 +00:40 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
6. 20:27 +00:40 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
7. 20:45 +00:58 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE
8. 20:45 +00:58 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
9. 20:46 +01:00 Katrin ZELLER GER
10. 20:47 +01:01 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
11. 20:55 +01:08 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
14. 21:05 +01:18 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
Alpe Cermis stage times (unofficial results from live timing)
1. 34:20 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 35:04 +00:44 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
3. 35:18 +00:58 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
4. 35:28 +01:08 Heidi WENG NOR
5. 35:35 +01:15 Masako ISHIDA JPN
6. 35:36 +01:16 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
7. 36:05 +01:46 Katrin ZELLER GER
8. 36:09 +01:49 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
9. 36:09 +01:50 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
10. 36:10 +01:51 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
11. 36:12 +01:52 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE
12. 36:19 +02:00 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
13. 36:27 +02:08 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
14. 36:34 +02:14 Debora AGREITER ITA
15. 36:35 +02:15 Irina KHAZOVA RUS
16. 36:41 +02:21 Claudia NYSTAD GER
17. 36:46 +02:26 Sara LINDBORG SWE
18. 36:48 +02:28 Teresa STADLOBER AUT
19. 36:48 +02:28 Riitta-Liisa ROPONEN FIN
20. 36:52 +02:33 Jessica DIGGINS USA
21. 36:55 +02:36 Emma WIKEN SWE
22. 37:02 +02:42 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN
23. 37:02 +02:43 Coraline HUGUE FRA
24. 37:08 +02:48 Paulina MACIUSZEK POL
25. 37:14 +02:54 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA
26. 37:25 +03:05 Stefanie BOEHLER GER
27. 37:32 +03:13 Elisa BROCARD ITA
28. 37:45 +03:25 Aurore JEAN FRA
29. 37:46 +03:26 Barbara JEZERSEK SLO
30. 38:26 +04:07 Petra NOVAKOVA CZE
31. 38:28 +04:08 Polina MEDVEDEVA RUS
32. 38:28 +04:09 Olga KUZIUKOVA RUS
33. 38:53 +04:33 Celia AYMONIER FRA
34. 39:38 +05:18 Larisa SHAIDUROVA RUS
35. 39:59 +05:40 Alevtina TANYGINA RUS
Split 1
1. 04:12 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 04:14 +00:02 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
3. 04:23 +00:11 Jessica DIGGINS USA
4. 04:25 +00:13 Heidi WENG NOR
5. 04:26 +00:14 Riitta-Liisa ROPONEN FIN
6. 04:26 +00:15 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
7. 04:27 +00:15 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
8. 04:27 +00:16 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN
9. 04:28 +00:16 Aurore JEAN FRA
10. 04:28 +00:17 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
11. 04:29 +00:17 Masako ISHIDA JPN
16. 04:32 +00:20 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
17. 04:33 +00:21 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
18. 04:34 +00:22 Katrin ZELLER GER
Split 2
1. 04:30 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
2. 04:31 +00:01 Jessica DIGGINS USA
3. 04:33 +00:03 Therese JOHAUG NOR
4. 04:33 +00:03 Sara LINDBORG SWE
5. 04:33 +00:03 Riitta-Liisa ROPONEN FIN
6. 04:35 +00:05 Aurore JEAN FRA
7. 04:37 +00:07 Heidi WENG NOR
8. 04:38 +00:08 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
9. 04:38 +00:08 Elisa BROCARD ITA
10. 04:38 +00:08 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
11. 04:39 +00:09 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA
14. 04:41 +00:11 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
17. 04:42 +00:12 Katrin ZELLER GER
19. 04:42 +00:12 Masako ISHIDA JPN
22. 04:43 +00:13 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
23. 04:44 +00:13 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
Split 3
1. 05:48 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 05:53 +00:05 Coraline HUGUE FRA
3. 05:53 +00:05 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
4. 05:55 +00:07 Claudia NYSTAD GER
5. 05:55 +00:07 Debora AGREITER ITA
6. 05:55 +00:07 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
7. 05:57 +00:08 Irina KHAZOVA RUS
8. 05:57 +00:09 Barbara JEZERSEK SLO
9. 05:57 +00:09 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
10. 05:58 +00:10 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA
11. 05:59 +00:11 Polina MEDVEDEVA RUS
17. 06:02 +00:14 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
18. 06:03 +00:14 Masako ISHIDA JPN
19. 06:03 +00:15 Katrin ZELLER GER
21. 06:03 +00:15 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
22. 06:04 +00:16 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
23. 06:05 +00:17 Heidi WENG NOR
24. 06:06 +00:18 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
Split 4
1. 03:02 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 03:09 +00:08 Heidi WENG NOR
3. 03:11 +00:09 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
4. 03:15 +00:13 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
5. 03:15 +00:13 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
6. 03:18 +00:16 Debora AGREITER ITA
7. 03:18 +00:16 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
8. 03:18 +00:16 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
9. 03:18 +00:16 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
10. 03:18 +00:16 Masako ISHIDA JPN
11. 03:18 +00:16 Katrin ZELLER GER
20. 03:25 +00:23 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
23. 03:26 +00:25 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
Split 5
1. 06:18 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 06:33 +00:15 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
3. 06:34 +00:17 Masako ISHIDA JPN
4. 06:42 +00:25 Heidi WENG NOR
5. 06:42 +00:25 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
6. 06:44 +00:27 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
7. 06:47 +00:29 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE
8. 06:47 +00:29 Katrin ZELLER GER
9. 06:48 +00:31 Teresa STADLOBER AUT
10. 06:49 +00:31 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
11. 06:53 +00:35 Irina KHAZOVA RUS
12. 06:53 +00:35 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
14. 07:00 +00:42 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
15. 07:00 +00:42 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
Split 6
1. 05:23 Therese JOHAUG NOR
2. 05:23 +00:00 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
3. 05:30 +00:07 Masako ISHIDA JPN
4. 05:32 +00:09 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
5. 05:34 +00:11 Heidi WENG NOR
6. 05:34 +00:11 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
7. 05:37 +00:14 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
8. 05:38 +00:15 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
9. 05:40 +00:17 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE
10. 05:41 +00:18 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
11. 05:41 +00:18 Claudia NYSTAD GER
12. 05:45 +00:22 Katrin ZELLER GER
16. 05:49 +00:26 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
Split 7
1. 04:45 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
2. 04:53 +00:08 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
3. 04:55 +00:10 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
4. 04:55 +00:10 Irina KHAZOVA RUS
5. 04:55 +00:10 Heidi WENG NOR
6. 04:56 +00:11 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
7. 04:57 +00:11 Katrin ZELLER GER
8. 04:59 +00:14 Masako ISHIDA JPN
9. 05:00 +00:15 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
10. 05:00 +00:15 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
11. 05:00 +00:15 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE
17. 05:05 +00:20 Therese JOHAUG NOR

Alpe Cermis Final Climb 2014: Preview & Predictions

Posted by Jan Kocbach, 04 Jan 2014@19:40


The Final Climb up Alpe Cermis is the toughest race in the Cross Country Skiing World Cup – a highlight for Cross Country skiing fans! Norwegian skier Therese Johaug is the Queen of the Alpe Cermis with four stage wins – undefeated since 2009 . In the men’s class not all of the best climbers are at the start – but of the ones starting Alexander Legkov (RUS), Ivan Babikov (CAN), Johannes Duerr (AUT) and Thomas Moriggl have shown the most impressive results earlier.

The Alpe Cermis has a height difference of 425 meters – and the total climb on the stage is 495 meters. The women and men race the same course (9 km skating). The final Tour de Ski stage is not all about the climb though. Before the climb starts, there is a 5.5 km “warm-up” down the valley (see profile below) which is also very important for the stage time and for the overall result. With the tough race profile of Alpe Cermis, motivation and position in the field relative to other skiers is often just as important as pure strength.

Set up your predictions

In the overall Tour de Ski predictions, Roar has increased his lead – now at 3374 points with Lars Ola Thorud in second with 3338 points and Sportsamuel in third with 3311 points. They all have skiers in their overall tip who have skipped the tour though- so there might still be significant changes in the top. For example Roar has Bjørgen as overall Tour winner.

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

Men

In the men’s class Martin Johnsrud Sundby is the big favourite for the overall victory with his 48 seconds lead to Petter Northug in second and 1:27 down to Chris Jespersen in third.

  • Sundby has only raced the Final Climb in 2010 and 2009 – finishing respectively 1:50 (26th place) and 1:30 (27th place) behind the winner. However, Sundby is a very strong climber as he for example showed in the roller ski race “Lysefjorden Opp”  last August (Norwegian text article here) where he finished 3rd – only 4 seconds behind expert climber Roland Clara in 2nd and ahead of good climbers like Manificat and Heikinen.
  • Northug has typically lost a minute or more on the final tour stage – his best year being 2011 when he lost only 39 seconds to the stage winner Bauer and only a few seconds to climbing specialist Clara who was the second best on the stage. Northug has just become better and better during this edition of the Tour – winning the classic interval start race in Val di Fiemme on the second last day of the Tour. Generally he has not had his strength in the climb, but according to Northug he can race the hill better than he has earlier as he now is at his “match weight” (Norwegian text article here). Still it will be tough catching Sundby – but good chances for the overall Top 3 are definitely there.
  • Jespersen is more of an unknown in the final climb – not having raced the stage earlier – but the Norwegian who is third in the overall is not one of those small mountain-goats. Still he should be able to give Northug a fight for the Top 3.
  • The biggest challenge for the three Norwegians at the front of the field is Austrian Johannes Duerr – a climbing specialist starting 2 minutes behind Sundby in 5th (Canadian Harvey is in 4th overall – but not as strong a climber). Duerr did an impressive race on the Cortina-Toblach stage – winning the stage clearly. Duerr did also impress on the Final Climb last year – finishing the stage with the fourth best stage time and with the 2nd best time up the climb part of the stage.
  • The next strong climbers on the start list are Alexander Legkov at 2:21 (8th place), Sjur Røthe at 2:40 (9th place), Didrik Tønseth at 2:56 (11th place), Jean Marc Gaillard at 3:37 (17th), Ivan Babikov (21st at 4:38), Matti Heikkinen (42nd at 6:57), Martin Bajcicak at 9:34 (50th), Thomas Moriggl at 9:56 (51st). Of these Legkov has the most impressive results with his stage win in 2012 and his impressive performance last year when he decided the tour in the climb (but took it easy in part of the stage, only finishing 10th). Also look out for Babibov who had second best stage time last year, climbing specialist Moriggl with 5th best time the two last years and Sjur Røthe who is very strong in the hills when he is in good shape. Tønseth is also a dark horse in the climb – being a very strong climber.

The graphical analysis from the men’s Final Climb last year below shows how groups further back in the field can gain many seconds in the first part of the course (when a line slopes upwards a skier gains time on the winner Legkov – when a line slopes downward a skier looses time) until the hill starts. Last year Legkov decided the race early in the hill where he set up an impressive pace which none of the others could match.

See also:

  • Overall Tour standings men
  • Complete 2013 analysis here and the 2012 analysis here
  • See historical results table further down.
  • Climb times 2013

    1. 16:57 Marcus HELLNER SWE
    2. 17:10 +00:13 Johannes DUERR AUT
    3. 17:14 +00:17 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    4. 17:16 +00:20 Roland CLARA ITA
    5. 17:16 +00:20 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
    6. 17:25 +00:29 Lukas BAUER CZE
    7. 17:26 +00:29 Thomas MORIGGL ITA
    8. 17:28 +00:31 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
    9. 17:30 +00:34 Johan OLSSON SWE
    10. 17:33 +00:36 Dario COLOGNA SUI
    11. 17:54 +00:57 Maxim VYLEGZHANIN RUS
    12. 17:55 +00:58 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    21. 18:20 +01:23 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    Women

    In the women’s class Therese Johaug is the big favourite for the overall victory – starting only  24 seconds behind leading Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen with the Finnish trio Kolloenen, Niskanen and Lahteenmaki chasing at 1:31, 1:52 and 2:03 respectively. Behind these five is the last real challenge for the Top 3 overall – Norwegian Heidi Weng.

    • Therese Johaug is undefeated on the final Tour de Ski stage since 2009 – winning with four times (2013, 2012, 2011 and 2009) and not competing in 2010. The last three years Johaug has won with between 40 and 60 seconds – the competition coming 10 seconds closer each year.
    • Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen proved last year that she can be a strong climber with her 6th place – but still with more than 1:30 up to Johaug. The Finnish trio should not be a real challenge for Jacobsen – but Jacobsen needs a small miracle to beat Johaug.
    • Lahteeenmaki is the strongest climber in the Finnish trio – finishing 4th (at +1:34) last year and regularly performing well on this stage. Kylloenen and Niskanen have struggled more – finishing between 2:30 and 4 minutes behind on the stage the last two years.
    • Heidi Weng is a very strong climber when in good shape – finishing 3rd on the stage last year. With a good race setup – catching the Finns – she could even go for the stage win if everything fits.
    • The next strong climber on the start list is Elizabeth Stephen (14th at 3:27) – who finished 2nd last year. A very strong climber who fill fight for the stage win.

    See also:

    Historical results: Men, Final Climb
    Name Val di Fiemme
    2013-01-06
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2012-01-08
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2011-01-09
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2010-01-10
    Climb Free 10 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2009-01-04
    Climb Free 10 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2008-01-06
    Climb Free 10 km
    Cavalese/Val di Fiemme
    2007-01-07
    Climb Free 11 km
    BAUER Lukas + 0:43.0
    30:43 (7th)
    + 0:52.9
    31:31.1 (8th)
    + 0:00.0
    30:28.3 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    33:43.4 (1st)
    + 0:15.2
    34:06.4 (5th)
    + 0:46.1
    33:45.1 (7th)
    BABIKOV Ivan + 0:14.0
    30:14 (2nd)
    + 1:00.2
    31:38.4 (11th)
    + 0:47.1
    31:15.4 (6th)
    + 0:05.3
    33:48.7 (4th)
    + 0:00.0
    33:51.2 (1st)
    DI CENTA Giorgio + 0:42.0
    30:42 (6th)
    + 0:57.7
    31:35.9 (9th)
    + 1:16.0
    31:44.3 (14th)
    + 0:39.2
    34:22.6 (8th)
    + 0:03.2
    33:54.4 (3rd)
    + 0:35.4
    33:34.4 (4th)
    + 0:41.4
    32:49.2 (3rd)
    HELLNER Marcus + 0:00.0
    30:00 (1st)
    + 0:01.7
    30:39.9 (3rd)
    + 1:57.4
    32:25.7 (23rd)
    + 0:02.4
    33:45.8 (2nd)
    + 1:16.3
    34:15.3 (14th)
    + 2:01.5
    34:09.3 (31st)
    CLARA Roland + 0:15.0
    30:15 (3rd)
    + 0:16.2
    30:54.4 (4th)
    + 0:32.4
    31:00.7 (2nd)
    + 0:45.5
    34:28.9 (10th)
    + 0:31.4
    34:22.6 (8th)
    LEGKOV Alexander + 0:57.0
    30:57 (10th)
    + 0:00.0
    30:38.2 (1st)
    + 1:12.7
    35:03.9 (16th)
    + 1:20.2
    34:19.2 (18th)
    + 0:04.9
    32:12.7 (2nd)
    SOMMERFELDT Rene + 0:32.0
    34:15.4 (7th)
    + 0:00.0
    32:59.0 (1st)
    + 0:45.5
    32:53.3 (5th)
    GAILLARD Jean Marc + 1:39.0
    31:39 (25th)
    + 1:01.4
    31:29.7 (9th)
    + 0:02.5
    33:45.9 (3rd)
    + 0:21.7
    34:12.9 (6th)
    + 1:04.3
    33:12.1 (10th)
    VITTOZ Vincent + 0:35.0
    31:03.3 (4th)
    + 0:27.3
    34:10.7 (6th)
    + 0:29.1
    34:20.3 (7th)
    + 1:15.4
    33:23.2 (11th)
    MORIGGL Thomas + 0:32.0
    30:32 (5th)
    + 0:30.7
    31:08.9 (5th)
    + 0:58.0
    31:26.3 (8th)
    + 0:51.6
    34:35.0 (11th)
    BAJCICAK Martin + 1:02.9
    31:41.1 (14th)
    + 0:19.8
    33:18.8 (3rd)
    + 0:47.1
    32:54.9 (6th)
    REICHELT Tom + 1:56.0
    31:56 (28th)
    + 1:03.2
    31:31.5 (10th)
    + 1:47.5
    35:30.9 (25th)
    + 0:01.5
    33:52.7 (2nd)
    + 2:20.8
    34:28.6 (37th)
    HEIKKINEN Matti + 0:34.1
    31:12.3 (6th)
    + 0:56.5
    34:39.9 (12th)
    + 0:12.0
    34:03.2 (4th)
    HOFFMANN Christian + 0:19.3
    33:18.3 (2nd)
    + 0:48.3
    32:56.1 (8th)
    MANIFICAT Maurice + 0:00.1
    30:38.3 (2nd)
    + 1:56.8
    32:25.1 (22nd)
    + 1:19.1
    35:02.5 (15th)
    COLOGNA Dario + 1:22.0
    31:22 (18th)
    + 1:05.9
    31:44.1 (16th)
    + 1:29.8
    31:58.1 (18th)
    + 0:09.0
    33:52.4 (5th)
    + 1:20.8
    35:12.0 (22nd)
    + 1:28.2
    34:27.2 (21st)
    SHIRIAEV Sergej + 1:55.9
    35:39.3 (28th)
    + 0:00.0
    32:07.8 (1st)
    NORTHUG Petter jr. + 2:00.0
    32:00 (29th)
    + 1:28.5
    32:06.7 (24th)
    + 0:39.0
    31:07.3 (5th)
    + 1:24.7
    35:08.1 (16th)
    + 0:56.4
    34:47.6 (13th)
    + 1:37.2
    34:36.2 (25th)
    + 1:59.9
    34:07.7 (30th)
    PERL Curdin + 1:13.0
    31:13 (16th)
    + 1:45.0
    32:23.2 (31st)
    + 0:33.8
    31:02.1 (3rd)
    + 1:17.4
    35:00.8 (13th)
    + 1:35.9
    35:27.1 (30th)
    MAGAL Jiri + 1:01.0
    31:01 (11th)
    + 0:43.4
    34:26.8 (9th)
    + 0:48.1
    34:39.3 (11th)
    + 1:37.6
    33:45.4 (21st)
    JONNIER Emmanuel + 0:58.8
    34:50.0 (14th)
    + 1:16.4
    34:15.4 (15th)
    + 0:43.4
    32:51.2 (4th)
    DUVILLARD Robin + 0:54.0
    30:54 (9th)
    + 1:34.8
    32:13.0 (26th)
    + 1:04.5
    31:32.8 (11th)
    + 1:35.2
    35:18.6 (18th)
    DEMENTIEV Eugeni + 1:08.5
    34:59.7 (15th)
    + 1:19.4
    34:18.4 (16th)
    + 0:47.7
    32:55.5 (7th)
    SOEDERGREN Anders + 0:40.3
    33:39.3 (6th)
    + 1:19.8
    33:27.6 (12th)
    PANKRATOV Nikolai + 1:38.7
    35:29.9 (31st)
    + 0:50.4
    33:49.4 (8th)
    + 0:59.6
    33:07.4 (9th)
    GOERING Franz + 0:39.5
    33:38.5 (5th)
    + 1:33.8
    33:41.6 (19th)
    ANGERER Tobias + 1:38.0
    31:38 (24th)
    + 1:20.9
    31:59.1 (23rd)
    + 1:04.1
    34:03.1 (10th)
    + 1:31.7
    33:39.5 (18th)
    VYLEGZHANIN Maxim + 1:28.0
    31:28 (19th)
    + 1:16.3
    31:54.5 (20th)
    + 0:32.6
    34:23.8 (9th)
    + 1:52.6
    34:51.6 (30th)
    DUERR Johannes + 0:20.0
    30:20 (4th)
    HETLAND Tor Arne + 6:00.8
    39:52.0 (53rd)
    + 1:02.0
    34:01.0 (9th)
    + 1:35.5
    33:43.3 (20th)
    ROETHE Sjur + 0:52.6
    31:30.8 (7th)
    FREEMAN Kris + 2:33.0
    32:33 (41st)
    + 1:45.7
    32:23.9 (32nd)
    + 0:53.9
    31:22.2 (7th)
    OLSSON Johan + 0:43.0
    30:43 (7th)
    LIVERS Toni + 2:49.0
    32:49 (48th)
    + 0:32.9
    34:24.1 (10th)
    + 1:54.1
    34:01.9 (29th)
    DYRHAUG Niklas + 0:58.8
    31:37.0 (10th)
    Historical results: Women, Final Climb
    Name Val di Fiemme
    2013-01-06
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2012-01-08
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2011-01-09
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2010-01-10
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2009-01-04
    Climb Free 9 km
    Val di Fiemme
    2008-01-06
    Climb Free 9 km
    Cavalese/Val di Fiemme
    2007-01-07
    Climb Free 10 km
    JOHAUG Therese + 0:00.0
    34:12 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    34:17.7 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    33:14.4 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    35:07.7 (1st)
    + 1:16.5
    35:22.7 (4th)
    STEIRA Kristin Stoermer + 2:03.0
    36:15 (12th)
    + 0:00.0
    35:49.8 (1st)
    + 0:08.7
    35:16.4 (2nd)
    + 0:55.3
    35:01.5 (2nd)
    + 0:01.4
    34:25.9 (2nd)
    SHEVCHENKO Valentina + 1:43.0
    35:55 (8th)
    + 1:13.9
    35:31.6 (5th)
    + 2:06.8
    35:21.2 (5th)
    + 2:24.2
    38:14.0 (30th)
    + 0:44.3
    35:52.0 (3rd)
    + 0:00.0
    34:06.2 (1st)
    + 0:05.4
    34:29.9 (3rd)
    KOWALCZYK Justyna + 1:41.0
    35:53 (7th)
    + 0:51.3
    35:09.0 (2nd)
    + 1:59.3
    35:13.7 (4th)
    + 0:25.0
    36:14.8 (4th)
    + 0:47.1
    35:54.8 (4th)
    + 2:12.1
    36:18.3 (18th)
    + 1:08.5
    35:33.0 (13th)
    ROPONEN Riitta Liisa + 1:34.0
    35:46 (4th)
    + 1:50.9
    36:08.6 (9th)
    + 2:49.2
    36:03.6 (13th)
    + 0:03.0
    35:52.8 (2nd)
    + 1:07.9
    36:15.6 (7th)
    + 1:29.1
    35:35.3 (8th)
    + 1:15.2
    35:39.7 (14th)
    MEDVEDEVA Evgenia + 0:03.9
    35:53.7 (3rd)
    + 0:54.6
    36:02.3 (5th)
    + 1:53.7
    35:59.9 (14th)
    + 0:20.6
    34:45.1 (4th)
    ZELLER Katrin + 1:55.0
    36:07 (10th)
    + 1:19.6
    35:37.3 (6th)
    + 2:20.8
    35:35.2 (7th)
    + 1:17.1
    37:06.9 (13th)
    + 2:32.8
    37:40.5 (24th)
    + 1:25.0
    35:31.2 (6th)
    FOLLIS Arianna + 2:46.2
    36:00.6 (11th)
    + 1:12.1
    37:01.9 (10th)
    + 1:50.2
    36:57.9 (13th)
    + 1:27.3
    35:33.5 (7th)
    + 0:40.3
    35:04.8 (8th)
    KRISTOFFERSEN Marthe + 1:10.8
    35:28.5 (4th)
    + 1:53.9
    35:08.3 (3rd)
    + 1:14.5
    37:04.3 (11th)
    LAHTEENMAKI Krista + 1:34.0
    35:46 (4th)
    + 1:25.5
    35:43.2 (7th)
    + 2:12.7
    35:27.1 (6th)
    STEPHEN Elizabeth + 0:40.0
    34:52 (2nd)
    + 1:33.0
    35:50.7 (8th)
    VALBUSA Sabina + 0:30.3
    36:20.1 (5th)
    + 1:57.5
    36:03.7 (15th)
    + 0:26.2
    34:50.7 (5th)
    NEUMANNOVA Katerina + 0:00.0
    34:24.5 (1st)
    JACOBSEN Astrid + 1:36.0
    35:48 (6th)
    + 1:54.8
    36:12.5 (10th)
    + 2:42.0
    35:56.4 (10th)
    + 2:49.5
    36:55.7 (23rd)
    BOEHLER Stefanie + 2:57.0
    37:09 (26th)
    + 1:10.8
    36:18.5 (8th)
    + 1:17.3
    35:23.5 (5th)
    + 1:16.4
    35:40.9 (15th)
    SAARINEN Aino Kaisa + 2:11.4
    36:29.1 (13th)
    + 3:44.6
    36:59.0 (21st)
    + 0:55.7
    36:45.5 (7th)
    + 1:54.7
    37:02.4 (14th)
    + 2:56.7
    37:02.9 (25th)
    + 1:55.0
    36:19.5 (24th)
    KUENZEL- NYSTAD Claudia + 1:48.7
    36:56.4 (11th)
    + 1:10.8
    35:17.0 (3rd)
    + 1:37.9
    36:02.4 (21st)
    PHILIPPOT Karine + 0:42.8
    36:32.6 (6th)
    + 2:54.7
    37:00.9 (24th)
    + 0:31.8
    34:56.3 (6th)
    KALLA Charlotte + 2:18.0
    36:30 (14th)
    + 2:49.7
    37:07.4 (16th)
    + 2:47.1
    36:01.5 (12th)
    + 1:30.7
    35:36.9 (9th)
    ELDEN Marte + 1:00.4
    34:14.8 (2nd)
    BJOERGEN Marit + 1:08.0
    35:25.7 (3rd)
    + 3:55.4
    39:03.1 (28th)
    + 1:20.1
    35:44.6 (16th)
    LONGA Marianna + 2:31.7
    35:46.1 (9th)
    + 1:24.5
    37:14.3 (14th)
    + 1:13.7
    36:21.4 (9th)
    + 2:08.1
    36:32.6 (29th)
    MALAHOVA-SHISHKINA Svetlana + 1:11.6
    37:01.4 (9th)
    + 1:49.7
    36:57.4 (12th)
    + 1:04.2
    35:28.7 (12th)
    SAVIALOVA Olga + 0:56.1
    36:45.9 (8th)
    + 2:16.4
    37:24.1 (19th)
    + 1:02.8
    35:27.3 (11th)
    HANSSON Anna + 3:34.0
    37:46 (30th)
    + 0:58.4
    36:06.1 (6th)
    + 1:39.7
    35:45.9 (11th)
    WENG Heidi + 1:12.0
    35:24 (3rd)
    SACHENBACHER STEHLE Evi + 1:32.8
    35:39.0 (10th)
    + 1:01.4
    35:25.9 (10th)
    AGREITER Debora + 1:45.0
    35:57 (9th)
    + 2:10.9
    36:28.6 (12th)
    RYDQVIST Maria + 3:02.2
    37:19.9 (18th)
    + 2:26.2
    35:40.6 (8th)
    KURKINA Larisa + 1:35.3
    36:43.0 (10th)
    + 2:03.3
    36:09.5 (17th)
    JATSKAJA Oxana + 3:56.0
    38:08 (38th)
    + 5:10.4
    39:28.1 (44th)
    + 3:20.0
    39:09.8 (33rd)
    + 3:53.8
    39:01.5 (27th)
    + 0:32.0
    34:56.5 (7th)
    BAUER Viola + 0:54.9
    35:19.4 (9th)
    TCHEPALOVA Julija + 1:28.9
    36:36.6 (10th)

    Tour de Ski Val di Fiemme 5/10 km Classic: Preview & Predictions

    Posted by Jan Kocbach, 03 Jan 2014@19:24


    The 6th and second last stage in this year’s Tour de Ski is a classic technique interval start race over 5/10 km on a quite tough course with around 170 meters of climb per lap (2 laps for men / 1 lap for women).

    With the skiers having 6 tough races in their legs, the time differences might be bigger in this race than usually in this type of race.

    Set up your predictions

    In the overall Tour de Ski predictions, Roar has taken the lead with 2665 points – 7 small points ahead of Lars Ola Thorud. The fight for victory is tight – with 5 people within 30 points. Set up your predictions here – or read the preview article below first:

    Men

    The overall leader Martin Johnsrud Sundby is also one of the favourites in the 10 km classic race with his current excellent shape.  At the corresponding 10 km classic race in Kuusamo in November the Tour leader finished 5th – only 12.6 seconds down on the winner Lukas Bauer. Among the Top 10 in Kuusamo, only Bauer (1st), Sundby (5th), Jespersen (7th), Tscharnke (9th) and Legkov (10th – 29.5 seconds behind) are competing in Val di Fiemme. Legkov does however have a strong history in classic interval start races.

    Other skiers strong in this discipline are Didrik Tønseth (3rd in 15 km classic interval start in Lillehammer in December last year), Petter Northug (won the 15 km classic in the World Champs in Val di Fiemme last year), Ilia Chernousov (no good results in this discipline in 2012/2013 or 2013/2014, but has earlier been stable in Top 8).

    Regarding the overall tour standings, Sundby has a good chance to keep the gap down to his competitors at at least 30-40 seconds also after this stage – and maybe even increasing it if he is fully recovered after the Cortina-Toblach stage and has a good day. Note that there are again 15 – 10 – 5 bonus seconds to Top 3 – and thus this race might give quite significant time differences.

    Women

    Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen has the overall lead with 44 seconds down to Therese Johaug in second spot.  These two Norwegians are also the biggest favourites for this race based on earlier results – with Johaug having a slight edge over Jacobsen. Johaug finished 2nd in the Kuusamo 5 km classic race – 17 seconds ahead of Jacobsen in 8th.

    Jacobsen has however showed impressive shape the last days – and is mentally strong – and thus this fight might be very close. It will also be very important for the overall – as Jacobsen should have a lead of at least a minute to Johaug ahead of the final climb to feel safe.

    For the stage victory, also count in the very strong Finnish classic skiers Lahteenmaki (6th in Kuusamo), Niskanen (13th in Kuusamo – but won the classic 10 km mass start in Toblach a few days ago), Saarinen (bad race in Kuusamo, but shows improving shape) and Kylloenen (17th in Kuusamo) in the fight for the stage victory – as well as Heidi Weng (8th in Kuusamo) who starts to get in good classic shape.

    Historical results: Men Classic technique, Interval start
    Name Lillehammer
    2013-12-07
    Interval Classic 15 km
    Ruka Triple, Kuusamo
    2013-11-30
    Interval Classic 10 km
    Lahti
    2013-03-10
    Interval Classic 15 km
    Toblach
    2013-01-04
    Interval Classic 5 km
    Szklarska Poreba
    2012-02-18
    Interval Classic 15 km
    Otepaa
    2012-01-22
    Interval Classic 15 km
    Toblach
    2012-01-03
    Interval Classic 5 km
    Falun
    2011-03-18
    Interval Classic 3.3 km
    BAUER Lukas + 0:55.7
    35:55.7 (19th)
    + 0:00.0
    24:43.6 (1st)
    + 0:43.0
    35:18.6 (4th)
    + 0:17.3
    12:55.2 (8th)
    + 0:24.0
    40:36.4 (2nd)
    + 0:03.5
    13:53.0 (4th)
    + 0:12.1
    11:03.9 (9th)
    LEGKOV Alexander + 0:22.2
    35:22.2 (6th)
    + 0:29.5
    25:13.1 (10th)
    + 1:02.3
    35:37.9 (8th)
    + 0:15.7
    12:53.6 (5th)
    + 0:57.5
    39:45.7 (3rd)
    + 1:14.3
    41:26.7 (13th)
    + 0:00.0
    13:49.5 (1st)
    + 0:18.3
    11:10.1 (14th)
    POLTORANIN Alexey + 0:14.2
    35:14.2 (2nd)
    + 0:37.5
    25:21.1 (16th)
    + 0:31.7
    35:07.3 (2nd)
    + 0:00.0
    12:37.9 (1st)
    + 1:03.8
    39:52.0 (6th)
    + 1:14.3
    41:26.7 (13th)
    NORTHUG Petter jr. + 0:40.7
    35:40.7 (9th)
    + 0:42.4
    25:26.0 (18th)
    + 0:00.0
    34:35.6 (1st)
    + 0:08.0
    12:45.9 (2nd)
    + 0:13.8
    14:03.3 (12th)
    + 0:02.9
    10:54.7 (2nd)
    COLOGNA Dario + 0:08.2
    12:46.1 (3rd)
    + 0:19.3
    39:07.5 (2nd)
    + 0:00.0
    40:12.4 (1st)
    + 0:02.0
    13:51.5 (3rd)
    + 0:22.0
    11:13.8 (16th)
    ROENNING Eldar + 1:21.2
    36:21.2 (31st)
    + 0:02.4
    24:46.0 (2nd)
    + 1:11.9
    35:47.5 (11th)
    + 1:00.4
    39:48.6 (5th)
    + 2:47.6
    43:00.0 (37th)
    + 0:01.7
    13:51.2 (2nd)
    + 0:09.6
    11:01.4 (5th)
    CHERNOUSOV Ilia + 1:02.2
    25:45.8 (46th)
    + 1:26.2
    36:01.8 (19th)
    + 0:25.9
    13:03.8 (13th)
    + 0:59.5
    39:47.7 (4th)
    + 1:02.2
    41:14.6 (8th)
    + 0:04.0
    13:53.5 (5th)
    + 0:00.0
    10:51.8 (1st)
    VYLEGZHANIN Maxim + 1:29.1
    36:29.1 (39th)
    + 0:25.8
    25:09.4 (8th)
    + 1:44.3
    36:19.9 (24th)
    + 0:23.4
    13:01.3 (10th)
    + 1:46.0
    40:34.2 (13th)
    + 1:07.1
    41:19.5 (11th)
    + 0:13.2
    14:02.7 (11th)
    + 0:04.2
    10:56.0 (3rd)
    OLSSON Johan + 0:21.4
    35:21.4 (5th)
    + 0:35.8
    13:13.7 (21st)
    + 0:00.0
    38:48.2 (1st)
    + 0:53.4
    41:05.8 (7th)
    JOHNSRUD SUNDBY Martin + 0:24.9
    35:24.9 (7th)
    + 0:12.6
    24:56.2 (5th)
    + 0:35.1
    35:10.7 (3rd)
    + 1:32.0
    40:20.2 (10th)
    + 1:23.6
    41:36.0 (18th)
    + 0:26.6
    11:18.4 (21st)
    JAPAROV Dmitriy + 0:45.2
    35:45.2 (14th)
    + 0:05.7
    24:49.3 (3rd)
    + 0:13.7
    12:51.6 (4th)
    + 0:09.5
    13:59.0 (7th)
    BESSMERTNYKH Alexander + 0:43.6
    35:43.6 (13th)
    + 0:21.4
    25:05.0 (6th)
    + 1:07.5
    35:43.1 (9th)
    + 0:16.5
    12:54.4 (7th)
    + 1:49.1
    40:37.3 (14th)
    + 0:17.5
    14:07.0 (14th)
    GOLBERG Paal + 0:00.0
    35:00.0 (1st)
    + 0:07.4
    24:51.0 (4th)
    + 2:17.4
    41:05.6 (30th)
    + 3:16.1
    43:28.5 (45th)
    HELLNER Marcus + 0:20.2
    35:20.2 (4th)
    + 0:45.0
    25:28.6 (21st)
    + 1:33.8
    36:09.4 (22nd)
    + 0:31.1
    13:09.0 (16th)
    + 1:58.4
    40:46.6 (21st)
    + 0:53.2
    41:05.6 (6th)
    + 0:51.1
    14:40.6 (48th)
    GAILLARD Jean Marc + 2:07.1
    37:07.1 (59th)
    + 0:42.8
    25:26.4 (19th)
    + 1:15.5
    35:51.1 (13th)
    + 0:37.6
    13:15.5 (25th)
    + 1:27.0
    40:15.2 (9th)
    + 1:02.5
    41:14.9 (9th)
    + 0:31.0
    14:20.5 (26th)
    + 0:21.7
    11:13.5 (15th)
    RICKARDSSON Daniel + 0:42.3
    35:42.3 (10th)
    + 0:47.6
    25:31.2 (27th)
    + 0:59.3
    35:34.9 (7th)
    + 0:32.5
    13:10.4 (19th)
    + 2:33.0
    41:21.2 (34th)
    + 2:04.5
    42:16.9 (25th)
    + 0:37.5
    14:27.0 (29th)
    + 0:13.9
    11:05.7 (11th)
    MANIFICAT Maurice + 1:34.2
    36:34.2 (44th)
    + 0:39.8
    25:23.4 (17th)
    + 1:41.8
    40:30.0 (12th)
    + 1:25.3
    41:37.7 (20th)
    + 0:13.9
    14:03.4 (13th)
    + 0:11.0
    11:02.8 (6th)
    JAUHOJAERVI Sami + 0:36.1
    25:19.7 (14th)
    + 1:18.1
    35:53.7 (14th)
    + 1:54.0
    40:42.2 (16th)
    + 1:02.7
    41:15.1 (10th)
    + 0:55.6
    14:45.1 (53rd)
    + 0:15.6
    11:07.4 (12th)
    KERSHAW Devon + 2:03.7
    37:03.7 (56th)
    + 1:23.4
    26:07.0 (65th)
    + 0:34.4
    13:12.3 (20th)
    + 2:15.8
    41:04.0 (26th)
    + 0:25.2
    40:37.6 (3rd)
    + 0:24.6
    14:14.1 (18th)
    + 0:26.8
    11:18.6 (22nd)
    TEICHMANN Axel + 1:28.5
    36:28.5 (38th)
    + 0:35.7
    25:19.3 (13th)
    + 1:15.2
    40:03.4 (7th)
    + 0:06.0
    13:55.5 (6th)
    BELOV Evgeniy + 2:15.2
    37:15.2 (62nd)
    + 0:35.4
    25:19.0 (11th)
    + 1:14.1
    41:26.5 (12th)
    + 0:08.2
    11:00.0 (4th)
    HALFVARSSON Calle + 0:58.6
    35:58.6 (20th)
    + 0:49.5
    25:33.1 (29th)
    + 1:10.8
    35:46.4 (10th)
    + 0:16.1
    12:54.0 (6th)
    + 2:13.9
    42:26.3 (28th)
    + 0:23.6
    11:15.4 (17th)
    ANGERER Tobias + 1:45.0
    36:45.0 (46th)
    + 1:02.5
    25:46.1 (47th)
    + 0:51.1
    35:26.7 (5th)
    + 0:32.4
    13:10.3 (17th)
    + 2:15.4
    41:03.6 (24th)
    + 1:16.3
    41:28.7 (15th)
    + 0:56.3
    14:45.8 (56th)
    + 0:30.6
    11:22.4 (28th)
    SEDOV Petr + 0:42.2
    40:54.6 (5th)
    + 0:11.7
    11:03.5 (7th)
    TOENSETH Didrik + 0:15.5
    35:15.5 (3rd)
    + 1:21.1
    41:33.5 (17th)
    JESPERSEN Chris Andre + 0:31.8
    35:31.8 (8th)
    + 0:24.4
    25:08.0 (7th)
    VOLZHENTSEV Stanislav + 0:46.8
    35:46.8 (15th)
    + 0:41.3
    40:53.7 (4th)
    KROGH Finn Haagen + 0:42.4
    35:42.4 (11th)
    + 1:36.8
    26:20.4 (78th)
    + 0:19.3
    12:57.2 (9th)
    + 0:26.0
    11:17.8 (18th)
    HEIKKINEN Matti + 0:53.9
    35:53.9 (17th)
    + 1:01.9
    25:45.5 (45th)
    + 2:14.9
    36:50.5 (42nd)
    + 2:12.9
    42:25.3 (27th)
    + 0:26.6
    14:16.1 (22nd)
    + 0:11.9
    11:03.7 (8th)
    NOECKLER Dietmar + 1:01.4
    36:01.4 (22nd)
    + 0:59.1
    25:42.7 (41st)
    + 0:54.3
    35:29.9 (6th)
    + 0:36.3
    13:14.2 (23rd)
    + 2:28.8
    41:17.0 (33rd)
    + 0:57.4
    14:46.9 (58th)
    TSCHARNKE Tim + 1:01.6
    36:01.6 (23rd)
    + 0:26.0
    25:09.6 (9th)
    + 1:18.9
    35:54.5 (16th)
    + 0:42.5
    14:32.0 (33rd)
    TURYSHEV Sergey + 0:29.0
    13:06.9 (14th)
    + 0:10.1
    13:59.6 (9th)
    PASINI Fabio + 2:09.7
    37:09.7 (60th)
    + 1:16.9
    26:00.5 (60th)
    + 2:08.5
    36:44.1 (38th)
    + 1:55.3
    40:43.5 (17th)
    + 0:12.3
    14:01.8 (10th)
    JOENSSON Emil + 1:19.5
    35:55.1 (17th)
    + 0:47.2
    14:36.7 (42nd)
    + 0:12.2
    11:04.0 (10th)
    GOERING Franz + 1:21.9
    40:10.1 (8th)
    KRIUKOV Nikita + 0:09.9
    13:59.4 (8th)
    Historical results: Women Classic technique, Interval start
    Name Lillehammer
    2013-12-07
    Interval Classic 10 km
    Ruka Triple, Kuusamo
    2013-11-30
    Interval Classic 5 km
    Lahti
    2013-03-10
    Interval Classic 10 km
    Toblach
    2013-01-04
    Interval Classic 3 km
    Szklarska Poreba
    2012-02-18
    Interval Classic 10 km
    Otepaa
    2012-01-22
    Interval Classic 10 km
    Toblach
    2012-01-03
    Interval Classic 3 km
    Falun
    2011-03-18
    Interval Classic 2.5 km
    KOWALCZYK Justyna + 0:00.0
    24:59.4 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    13:33.7 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    25:38.9 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    10:08.1 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    28:43.9 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    29:44.8 (1st)
    + 0:03.9
    10:53.1 (2nd)
    + 0:10.6
    9:12.2 (2nd)
    BJOERGEN Marit + 0:25.6
    25:25.0 (3rd)
    + 0:03.0
    13:36.7 (2nd)
    + 0:23.1
    26:02.0 (2nd)
    + 0:36.1
    29:20.0 (2nd)
    + 0:21.9
    30:06.7 (2nd)
    + 0:00.0
    10:49.2 (1st)
    + 0:00.0
    9:01.6 (1st)
    JOHAUG Therese + 0:39.0
    25:38.4 (4th)
    + 0:14.6
    13:48.3 (3rd)
    + 0:28.2
    26:07.1 (4th)
    + 0:22.2
    10:30.3 (6th)
    + 0:50.4
    29:34.3 (3rd)
    + 0:40.5
    30:25.3 (3rd)
    + 0:21.2
    11:10.4 (6th)
    + 0:12.9
    9:14.5 (3rd)
    JACOBSEN Astrid Uhrenholdt + 1:28.1
    26:27.5 (11th)
    + 0:33.9
    14:07.6 (8th)
    + 1:09.3
    26:48.2 (9th)
    + 0:17.1
    10:25.2 (3rd)
    + 2:12.1
    30:56.0 (13th)
    + 1:02.4
    30:47.2 (5th)
    + 0:15.1
    11:04.3 (3rd)
    + 0:26.2
    9:27.8 (9th)
    KALLA Charlotte + 0:12.4
    25:11.8 (2nd)
    + 0:18.7
    13:52.4 (5th)
    + 1:08.0
    26:46.9 (7th)
    + 0:25.3
    10:33.4 (9th)
    + 2:37.7
    31:21.6 (20th)
    + 0:58.7
    30:43.5 (4th)
    + 0:34.0
    11:23.2 (17th)
    + 0:25.7
    9:27.3 (8th)
    LAHTEENMAKI Krista + 1:25.9
    26:25.3 (10th)
    + 0:26.3
    14:00.0 (6th)
    + 1:01.2
    26:40.1 (6th)
    + 0:16.5
    10:24.6 (2nd)
    + 2:21.1
    31:05.0 (15th)
    + 1:32.5
    31:17.3 (7th)
    + 0:23.2
    11:12.4 (7th)
    + 0:41.4
    9:43.0 (18th)
    FESSEL Nicole + 1:46.8
    26:46.2 (15th)
    + 1:01.0
    14:34.7 (24th)
    + 1:24.0
    27:02.9 (11th)
    + 1:44.5
    30:28.4 (7th)
    + 2:07.2
    31:52.0 (16th)
    + 0:17.0
    11:06.2 (4th)
    + 0:24.5
    9:26.1 (6th)
    NISKANEN Kerttu + 1:23.9
    26:23.3 (8th)
    + 0:46.3
    14:20.0 (13th)
    + 0:55.2
    26:34.1 (5th)
    + 0:27.9
    10:36.0 (11th)
    + 1:41.9
    31:26.7 (9th)
    + 0:33.4
    11:22.6 (16th)
    + 0:36.1
    9:37.7 (16th)
    WENG Heidi + 1:06.8
    26:06.2 (6th)
    + 0:39.3
    14:13.0 (9th)
    + 0:25.5
    26:04.4 (3rd)
    + 0:27.3
    10:35.4 (10th)
    + 2:30.8
    31:14.7 (18th)
    + 2:20.1
    32:04.9 (22nd)
    + 1:21.1
    12:10.3 (52nd)
    + 0:53.1
    9:54.7 (28th)
    SAARINEN Aino- Kaisa + 1:38.7
    26:38.1 (13th)
    + 1:15.7
    14:49.4 (45th)
    + 1:08.2
    26:47.1 (8th)
    + 0:21.1
    10:29.2 (5th)
    + 1:21.1
    31:05.9 (6th)
    + 0:33.1
    11:22.3 (15th)
    + 0:26.5
    9:28.1 (11th)
    RANDALL Kikkan + 1:50.4
    26:49.8 (16th)
    + 0:47.7
    14:21.4 (15th)
    + 2:10.0
    27:48.9 (28th)
    + 0:24.2
    10:32.3 (7th)
    + 1:46.0
    30:29.9 (8th)
    + 1:55.9
    31:40.7 (15th)
    + 0:43.0
    11:32.2 (29th)
    + 0:41.7
    9:43.3 (19th)
    KYLLOENEN Anne + 1:31.9
    26:31.3 (12th)
    + 0:48.9
    14:22.6 (17th)
    + 1:32.8
    27:11.7 (12th)
    + 0:17.7
    10:25.8 (4th)
    + 3:06.1
    31:50.0 (28th)
    + 2:29.5
    32:14.3 (26th)
    + 0:35.9
    11:25.1 (22nd)
    + 0:50.5
    9:52.1 (25th)
    KRISTOFFERSEN Marthe + 2:31.8
    27:31.2 (27th)
    + 1:39.0
    30:22.9 (5th)
    + 1:45.3
    31:30.1 (11th)
    + 0:25.0
    11:14.2 (9th)
    + 0:28.1
    9:29.7 (12th)
    SKOFTERUD Vibeke W + 1:53.6
    26:53.0 (17th)
    + 0:47.7
    14:21.4 (15th)
    + 1:20.3
    30:04.2 (4th)
    + 1:38.0
    31:22.8 (8th)
    + 0:49.2
    9:50.8 (24th)
    TCHEKALEVA Yulia + 1:03.1
    26:02.5 (5th)
    + 0:18.4
    13:52.1 (4th)
    + 0:38.6
    10:46.7 (19th)
    + 0:43.9
    9:45.5 (21st)
    HAAG Anna + 0:32.4
    10:40.5 (13th)
    + 1:53.0
    30:36.9 (9th)
    + 0:38.0
    11:27.2 (23rd)
    + 0:17.4
    9:19.0 (4th)
    STEIRA Kristin Stoermer + 1:24.0
    26:23.4 (9th)
    + 1:01.2
    14:34.9 (26th)
    + 2:12.4
    27:51.3 (32nd)
    + 0:40.5
    10:48.6 (23rd)
    + 1:56.0
    30:39.9 (10th)
    + 2:27.1
    32:11.9 (25th)
    + 0:38.7
    11:27.9 (24th)
    + 0:35.3
    9:36.9 (14th)
    ZELLER Katrin + 2:45.6
    27:45.0 (35th)
    + 1:11.9
    14:45.6 (39th)
    + 1:51.2
    27:30.1 (21st)
    + 0:44.5
    10:52.6 (31st)
    + 1:56.4
    30:40.3 (11th)
    + 2:07.8
    31:52.6 (17th)
    + 0:30.1
    11:19.3 (12th)
    + 0:26.3
    9:27.9 (10th)
    HERRMANN Denise + 1:57.1
    26:56.5 (18th)
    + 0:46.4
    14:20.1 (14th)
    + 1:48.9
    27:27.8 (20th)
    + 0:25.2
    10:33.3 (8th)
    + 4:10.7
    32:54.6 (49th)
    + 0:30.4
    11:19.6 (13th)
    + 1:27.7
    10:29.3 (52nd)
    SMUTNA Katerina + 2:05.2
    27:04.6 (20th)
    + 0:49.3
    14:23.0 (18th)
    + 1:57.3
    27:36.2 (23rd)
    + 0:40.3
    10:48.4 (21st)
    + 2:56.2
    31:40.1 (24th)
    + 2:21.8
    32:06.6 (24th)
    + 0:23.9
    11:13.1 (8th)
    + 0:55.0
    9:56.6 (32nd)
    BJORNSEN Sadie + 1:18.3
    26:17.7 (7th)
    + 0:29.0
    14:02.7 (7th)
    + 1:43.4
    27:22.3 (18th)
    + 3:05.9
    32:50.7 (34th)
    ISHIDA Masako + 2:42.4
    27:41.8 (34th)
    + 0:42.2
    14:15.9 (10th)
    + 1:43.0
    27:21.9 (17th)
    + 1:43.6
    30:27.5 (6th)
    + 0:44.7
    11:33.9 (31st)
    BOEHLER Stefanie + 0:42.5
    10:50.6 (25th)
    + 2:29.2
    31:13.1 (17th)
    + 0:17.2
    11:06.4 (5th)
    + 0:54.5
    9:56.1 (30th)
    DOTSENKO Anastasia + 1:19.2
    14:52.9 (50th)
    + 0:36.6
    10:44.7 (17th)
    + 2:50.6
    31:34.5 (22nd)
    + 0:26.3
    11:15.5 (10th)
    + 0:48.9
    9:50.5 (23rd)
    KUZIUKOVA Olga + 2:33.1
    27:32.5 (29th)
    + 1:20.5
    26:59.4 (10th)
    + 0:29.5
    10:37.6 (12th)
    FOLLIS Arianna + 0:22.8
    9:24.4 (5th)
    LONGA Marianna + 0:25.4
    9:27.0 (7th)
    ROTCHEVA Olga + 1:41.9
    31:26.7 (9th)

    Tour de Ski Queen Stage 2014: Analysis

    Posted by Jan Kocbach, 03 Jan 2014@14:31


    Sundby started around 30 seconds ahead – and managed to build up a 50-55 seconds gap to a six man group consisting of Northug, Harvey, Halfvarsson, Legkov and Jespersen in the first 5-6 km of the race. The graphical analysis above shows the development from start until finish.

    As you can see from the illustration, the six man group did not cooperate well, and the gap steadily increased second by second. After around 10-12 km the Austrican Duerr – starting at 2:11 in 34th spot - surprisingly came up to the 6 man group and increased the speed in the group for some kilometers – chasing the gap down to around 1:10. This gap stayed constant until the sprint in the group started a kilometer before the finish. Northug finished 2nd – 58 seconds behind Sundby. Adding up the bonus seconds (15 seconds for victory, 10 seconds for 2nd place, 5 seconds for third place), that means that Sundby now has a 1:03 lead.

    Sundby did a very good race at the front of the field – but if the chasing group would have cooperated better, it should have been possible to chase down at least another 20-25 seconds on Sundby. However, as we have seen earlier on the Cortina-Toblach stage it is not easy to get a good cooperation going – especially not when there are team mates of the leader in the following group (Jespersen and Northug).

    - I did not race full speed, but I tried to keep a steady pace over 35 km. I gambled that I had enough strength to go all the way to the finish, Sundby said after his race. - Now I am completely finished.

    The question is if this race has cost Sundby more than the others in the chasing group? We will see tomorrow at the 10 km classic!

    The illustration above is a graphical illustration of the race development based on the split times. A line which is flat means that a skier has the same time as Petter Northug for the split (Northug’s line is flat all the way). A line which goes down represents slower speed – a line which goes up represents faster speed. Key moments are marked on the illustration. See the full interactive illustration here.

    Nearly melted into one

    The second big group was partly lead by the Norwegians Tønseth, Krogh and Gjerdalen – and partly by Dotzler among others. Before Duerr caught up with the first group it looked like the two groups would melt into one, big group – but when Duerr got up to the first group the speed increased in the first group – and the gap between the groups steadily increased. In the end the group was at around 1:55 behind Sundby. The disappointment of the day was Manificat – the winner of the Davos 30 km – who had to let the second group go and lost a lot of time. A pity for Manificat who usually has his strength in the Final Climb!

    Further down we had the third big group with Noah Hoffman as the fastest racer. First to the finish in this group was Dyrhaug at 3:05.

    GPS comparison

    Below you see some simple GPS-comparisons based on the live GPS-tracking. There were unfortunately some holes in the GPS coverage due to the phone coverage in the area, and thus the GPS-data do not give a complete picture of the development in the race. You can however see how the gap between Sundby and the first big group was at its largest around 13.0 km.

    Split 1
    1. 14:15 Johannes DUERR AUT
    2. 14:21 +00:06 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
    3. 14:24 +00:09 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    4. 14:25 +00:10 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
    5. 14:30 +00:15 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    6. 14:31 +00:16 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA
    7. 14:32 +00:17 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    8. 14:36 +00:21 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    9. 14:40 +00:25 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    10. 14:40 +00:25 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    11. 14:41 +00:26 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    12. 14:41 +00:26 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    17. 14:42 +00:27 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    50. 15:08 +00:53 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR

    Split 2

    1. 16:58 Johannes DUERR AUT
    2. 17:05 +00:07 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    3. 17:12 +00:14 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    4. 17:14 +00:16 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    5. 17:15 +00:17 Maurice MANIFICAT FRA
    6. 17:19 +00:20 Hannes DOTZLER GER
    7. 17:19 +00:21 Lari LEHTONEN FIN
    8. 17:19 +00:21 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    9. 17:21 +00:23 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
    10. 17:21 +00:23 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    11. 17:23 +00:25 Jonas DOBLER GER
    12. 17:24 +00:25 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    13. 17:24 +00:26 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    19. 17:40 +00:42 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    22. 17:41 +00:43 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    23. 17:42 +00:43 Alexander LEGKOV RUS

    Split 3

    1. 08:25 Johannes DUERR AUT
    2. 08:26 +00:01 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE
    3. 08:26 +00:02 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    4. 08:27 +00:03 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    5. 08:28 +00:03 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    6. 08:28 +00:03 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
    7. 08:28 +00:04 Alex HARVEY CAN
    8. 08:36 +00:12 Lari LEHTONEN FIN
    9. 08:37 +00:12 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
    10. 08:37 +00:12 Martin JAKS CZE
    11. 08:37 +00:13 Daniel RICHARDSSON SWE
    12. 08:37 +00:13 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    13. 08:39 +00:14 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    14. 08:40 +00:16 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    16. 08:41 +00:17 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    17. 08:42 +00:17 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    18. 08:44 +00:19 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    19. 08:45 +00:20 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA

    Split 4

    1. 12:34 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    2. 12:35 +00:01 Dietmar NOECKLER ITA
    3. 12:35 +00:01 Petr SEDOV RUS
    4. 12:36 +00:02 Konstantin GLAVATSKIKH RUS
    5. 12:37 +00:02 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
    6. 12:38 +00:03 Alexander UTKIN RUS
    7. 12:38 +00:04 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
    8. 12:38 +00:04 Thomas BING GER
    9. 12:38 +00:04 Jens ERIKSSON SWE
    10. 12:39 +00:05 Keishin YOSHIDA JPN
    11. 12:39 +00:05 David HOFER ITA
    19. 12:44 +00:10 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    21. 12:45 +00:10 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    23. 12:45 +00:11 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    24. 12:45 +00:11 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    26. 12:46 +00:12 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    28. 12:48 +00:13 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    29. 12:48 +00:14 Johannes DUERR AUT
    31. 12:51 +00:16 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    32. 12:51 +00:16 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    35. 12:52 +00:18 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA

    Split 5

    1. 08:42 Johannes DUERR AUT
    2. 08:43 +00:01 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    3. 08:44 +00:02 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
    4. 08:44 +00:02 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
    5. 08:45 +00:02 Michail SEMENOV BLR
    6. 08:45 +00:03 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    7. 08:45 +00:03 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
    8. 08:46 +00:03 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    9. 08:46 +00:04 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE
    10. 08:46 +00:04 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    11. 08:46 +00:04 Andrew MUSGRAVE GBR
    12. 08:46 +00:04 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    29. 08:53 +00:11 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    30. 08:53 +00:11 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    36. 08:54 +00:12 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    41. 08:54 +00:12 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    44. 08:57 +00:15 Sjur ROETHE NOR

    Split 6

    1. 10:53 Alexander UTKIN RUS
    2. 10:53 +00:00 Thomas BING GER
    3. 10:53 +00:01 Keishin YOSHIDA JPN
    4. 10:53 +00:01 Konstantin GLAVATSKIKH RUS
    5. 10:55 +00:02 Jens FILBRICH GER
    6. 10:56 +00:03 Devon KERSHAW CAN
    7. 10:56 +00:03 Anders SOEDERGREN SWE
    8. 10:56 +00:03 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    9. 10:56 +00:03 Tim TSCHARNKE GER
    10. 10:57 +00:04 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
    11. 10:57 +00:04 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
    15. 10:58 +00:06 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    19. 11:03 +00:10 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    20. 11:03 +00:10 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    23. 11:04 +00:11 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    24. 11:04 +00:11 Johannes DUERR AUT
    26. 11:12 +00:19 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    27. 11:13 +00:21 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    28. 11:14 +00:21 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    29. 11:14 +00:21 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    40. 11:18 +00:25 Didrik TOENSETH NOR

    Split 7

    1. 03:59 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
    2. 03:59 +00:00 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    3. 03:59 +00:00 Hannes DOTZLER GER
    4. 03:59 +00:00 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    5. 04:00 +00:01 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    6. 04:00 +00:01 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    7. 04:01 +00:02 Daniel RICHARDSSON SWE
    8. 04:01 +00:02 Alex HARVEY CAN
    9. 04:01 +00:02 Martin JAKS CZE
    10. 04:01 +00:02 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    11. 04:01 +00:02 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    17. 04:03 +00:04 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    27. 04:04 +00:05 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    32. 04:06 +00:07 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    33. 04:06 +00:07 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    34. 04:06 +00:07 Johannes DUERR AUT

    Split 8

    1. 02:49 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    2. 02:49 +00:00 Jens ERIKSSON SWE
    3. 02:49 +00:01 Jens FILBRICH GER
    4. 02:50 +00:01 Johannes DUERR AUT
    5. 02:50 +00:01 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    6. 02:50 +00:01 Anders SOEDERGREN SWE
    7. 02:50 +00:01 Alexander UTKIN RUS
    8. 02:50 +00:01 Jonas DOBLER GER
    9. 02:50 +00:02 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE
    10. 02:50 +00:02 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
    11. 02:51 +00:02 Dietmar NOECKLER ITA
    15. 02:52 +00:03 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    22. 02:53 +00:04 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    23. 02:53 +00:04 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    26. 02:54 +00:05 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    31. 02:55 +00:06 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    33. 02:55 +00:07 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    36. 02:59 +00:10 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    40. 03:04 +00:16 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR

    Overall (unofficial results from live timing, without bonus seconds)

    1. 01:20:19 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    2. 01:21:17 +00:58 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    3. 01:21:17 +00:59 Alex HARVEY CAN
    4. 01:21:18 +00:59 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE
    5. 01:21:18 +01:00 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    6. 01:21:19 +01:00 Johannes DUERR AUT
    7. 01:21:19 +01:01 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    8. 01:21:22 +01:04 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
    9. 01:22:14 +01:55 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
    10. 01:22:14 +01:56 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    11. 01:22:15 +01:56 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    12. 01:22:15 +01:56 Hannes DOTZLER GER
    13. 01:22:15 +01:57 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    14. 01:22:15 +01:57 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    15. 01:22:16 +01:57 Daniel RICHARDSSON SWE
    16. 01:22:16 +01:58 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    17. 01:22:17 +01:58 Martin JAKS CZE
    18. 01:22:33 +02:14 Lari LEHTONEN FIN
    19. 01:23:23 +03:05 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
    20. 01:23:24 +03:05 Tim TSCHARNKE GER
    21. 01:23:24 +03:05 Jonas DOBLER GER
    22. 01:23:24 +03:05 Devon KERSHAW CAN
    23. 01:23:24 +03:05 Konstantin GLAVATSKIKH RUS
    24. 01:23:25 +03:06 Alexander UTKIN RUS
    25. 01:23:25 +03:06 Keishin YOSHIDA JPN
    26. 01:23:25 +03:06 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    27. 01:23:25 +03:06 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
    28. 01:23:25 +03:07 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
    29. 01:23:26 +03:07 Anders SOEDERGREN SWE
    30. 01:23:26 +03:07 Jens FILBRICH GER
    31. 01:23:26 +03:07 Jens ERIKSSON SWE
    32. 01:23:29 +03:11 Sami JAUHOJAERVI FIN
    33. 01:23:32 +03:13 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
    34. 01:23:35 +03:16 Evgeniy BELOV RUS
    35. 01:23:48 +03:29 Stanislav VOLZHENTSEV RUS

    Fastest skier of the day (unofficial results from live timing)

    1. 01:19:07 Johannes DUERR AUT
    2. 01:19:58 +00:51 Noah HOFFMAN USA
    3. 01:20:04 +00:57 Tord Asle GJERDALEN NOR
    4. 01:20:07 +01:00 Chris JESPERSEN NOR
    5. 01:20:17 +01:11 Alexander LEGKOV RUS
    6. 01:20:19 +01:12 Martin Johnsrud SUNDBY NOR
    7. 01:20:19 +01:12 Robin DUVILLARD FRA
    8. 01:20:25 +01:18 Jean Marc GAILLARD FRA
    9. 01:20:30 +01:23 Sjur ROETHE NOR
    10. 01:20:35 +01:28 Didrik TOENSETH NOR
    11. 01:20:39 +01:32 Ilia CHERNOUSOV RUS
    12. 01:20:40 +01:33 Petter jr. NORTHUG NOR
    13. 01:20:41 +01:34 Ville NOUSIAINEN FIN
    14. 01:20:42 +01:36 Alex HARVEY CAN
    15. 01:20:43 +01:36 Hannes DOTZLER GER
    16. 01:20:43 +01:36 Daniel RICHARDSSON SWE
    17. 01:20:46 +01:39 Calle HALFVARSSON SWE
    18. 01:20:46 +01:39 Lari LEHTONEN FIN
    19. 01:20:49 +01:43 Martin JOHANSSON SWE
    20. 01:20:52 +01:45 Martin JAKS CZE
    21. 01:20:54 +01:47 Konstantin GLAVATSKIKH RUS
    22. 01:20:56 +01:49 Keishin YOSHIDA JPN
    23. 01:21:01 +01:54 Anders SOEDERGREN SWE
    24. 01:21:03 +01:56 Alexander UTKIN RUS
    25. 01:21:07 +02:00 Jens ERIKSSON SWE
    26. 01:21:10 +02:03 Niklas DYRHAUG NOR
    27. 01:21:16 +02:09 Ivan BABIKOV CAN
    28. 01:21:19 +02:12 Petr SEDOV RUS
    29. 01:21:20 +02:13 Giorgio DI CENTA ITA
    30. 01:21:36 +02:29 Jens FILBRICH GER
    31. 01:21:37 +02:30 Jonas DOBLER GER
    32. 01:21:37 +02:30 Ivan PERRILLAT BOITEUX FRA
    33. 01:21:40 +02:33 Devon KERSHAW CAN
    34. 01:21:51 +02:44 Toni LIVERS SUI
    35. 01:21:56 +02:49 Sergei DOLIDOVICH BLR

    Tour de Ski Toblach Women 15km 2014: Analysis

    Posted by Jan Kocbach, 03 Jan 2014@13:08

    Astrid Jacobsen did an impressive race and only lost a few seconds to Therese Johaug who passed Niskanen and is now in second  spot overall. Niskanen was eventually also passed by Kylloenen. The above race graph shows the key moments in the race development.

    The illustration above is a graphical illustration of the race development based on the split times. A line which is flat means that a skier is the fastest skier for the split. A line which goes down represents slower speed – a line which goes up represents faster speed. Key moments are marked on the illustration.

    As you can see from the illustration, Johaug is fastest in the first fart of the race (horizontal line) – taking some seconds on Jacobsen and the rest of the field. On the second and third loop the Lahteenmaki group is the fastest – starting out as a three-skier group (Lahteenmaki, Jean and Vrabcova-Nyltova), and eventually catching Weng at the start of the third loop.

    Steira/Stephen/Diggins group

    The other fast group in this race is the group consisting of Steira, Stephen and Diggins among others – however they lost time to the Lahteenmaki group in all of the race.

    Total time at split 1
    1. 01:42 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (01:42)
    2. 02:24 +00:43 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (02:24)
    3. 02:26 +00:45 Therese JOHAUG NOR (02:26)
    4. 02:41 +00:59 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (02:41)
    5. 02:41 +01:00 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (02:41)
    6. 02:55 +01:13 Heidi WENG NOR (02:55)
    7. 03:27 +01:46 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (03:27)
    8. 03:28 +01:46 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (03:28)
    9. 03:29 +01:47 Aurore JEAN FRA (03:29)
    10. 03:52 +02:11 Katrin ZELLER GER (03:52)
    11. 03:57 +02:15 Stefanie BOEHLER GER (03:57)
    Split 1 only
    1. 01:42 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (01:42)
    2. 02:24 +00:43 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (02:24)
    3. 02:26 +00:45 Therese JOHAUG NOR (02:26)
    4. 02:41 +00:59 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (02:41)
    5. 02:41 +01:00 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (02:41)
    6. 02:55 +01:13 Heidi WENG NOR (02:55)
    7. 03:27 +01:46 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (03:27)
    8. 03:28 +01:46 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (03:28)
    9. 03:29 +01:47 Aurore JEAN FRA (03:29)
    10. 03:52 +02:11 Katrin ZELLER GER (03:52)
    11. 03:57 +02:15 Stefanie BOEHLER GER (03:57)
    Total time at split 2
    1. 04:35 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (02:53)
    2. 05:17 +00:42 Therese JOHAUG NOR (02:51)
    3. 05:23 +00:48 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (02:59)
    4. 05:37 +01:02 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (02:56)
    5. 05:38 +01:03 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (02:56)
    6. 05:54 +01:19 Heidi WENG NOR (02:59)
    7. 06:28 +01:54 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (03:01)
    8. 06:29 +01:54 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (03:01)
    9. 06:30 +01:55 Aurore JEAN FRA (03:01)
    10. 06:54 +02:20 Katrin ZELLER GER (03:02)
    11. 06:56 +02:21 Stefanie BOEHLER GER (03:00)
    Split 2 only
    1. 02:51 Therese JOHAUG NOR (05:17)
    2. 02:53 +00:02 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA (07:10)
    3. 02:53 +00:02 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (07:08)
    4. 02:53 +00:02 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (04:35)
    5. 02:55 +00:04 Jessica DIGGINS USA (07:11)
    6. 02:55 +00:04 Debora AGREITER ITA (08:50)
    7. 02:55 +00:04 Irina KHAZOVA RUS (08:44)
    8. 02:55 +00:04 Anna HAAG SWE (07:12)
    9. 02:55 +00:04 Celia AYMONIER FRA (07:18)
    10. 02:56 +00:05 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (05:37)
    11. 02:56 +00:05 Mariya GUSCHINA RUS (08:33)
    26. 02:59 +00:08 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (05:23)
    40. 03:01 +00:10 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (06:28)
    43. 03:01 +00:10 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (06:29)
    Total time at split 3
    1. 13:26 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (08:51)
    2. 14:05 +00:40 Therese JOHAUG NOR (08:48)
    3. 14:29 +01:03 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (09:06)
    4. 14:34 +01:08 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (08:57)
    5. 14:53 +01:28 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (09:16)
    6. 14:54 +01:29 Heidi WENG NOR (09:01)
    7. 15:26 +02:01 Aurore JEAN FRA (08:56)
    8. 15:26 +02:01 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (08:57)
    9. 15:27 +02:01 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (08:59)
    10. 16:00 +02:35 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (08:52)
    11. 16:01 +02:36 Katrin ZELLER GER (09:07)
    Split 3 only
    1. 08:48 Coraline HUGUE FRA (17:24)
    2. 08:48 +00:00 Therese JOHAUG NOR (14:05)
    3. 08:49 +00:01 Sara LINDBORG SWE (16:04)
    4. 08:50 +00:02 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA (18:02)
    5. 08:51 +00:03 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (13:26)
    6. 08:52 +00:04 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (16:00)
    7. 08:52 +00:04 Anna HAAG SWE (16:04)
    8. 08:52 +00:04 Jessica DIGGINS USA (16:03)
    9. 08:52 +00:04 Debora AGREITER ITA (17:42)
    10. 08:52 +00:04 Riitta-Liisa ROPONEN FIN (16:04)
    11. 08:53 +00:04 Petra NOVAKOVA CZE (17:57)
    17. 08:57 +00:09 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (15:26)
    18. 08:57 +00:09 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (14:34)
    19. 08:59 +00:10 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (15:27)
    32. 09:06 +00:18 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (14:29)
    Total time at split 4
    1. 16:27 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (03:02)
    2. 17:06 +00:39 Therese JOHAUG NOR (03:01)
    3. 17:37 +01:10 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (03:09)
    4. 17:38 +01:11 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (03:04)
    5. 18:01 +01:33 Heidi WENG NOR (03:07)
    6. 18:02 +01:34 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (03:09)
    7. 18:27 +01:59 Aurore JEAN FRA (03:01)
    8. 18:27 +02:00 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (03:01)
    9. 18:28 +02:00 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (03:01)
    10. 19:05 +02:38 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (03:05)
    11. 19:06 +02:39 Jessica DIGGINS USA (03:03)
    Split 4 only
    1. 02:57 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA (20:24)
    2. 02:59 +00:01 Coraline HUGUE FRA (20:23)
    3. 02:59 +00:02 Barbara JEZERSEK SLO (20:25)
    4. 02:59 +00:02 Masako ISHIDA JPN (19:51)
    5. 03:01 +00:03 Aurore JEAN FRA (18:27)
    6. 03:01 +00:03 Polina MEDVEDEVA RUS (19:53)
    7. 03:01 +00:03 Therese JOHAUG NOR (17:06)
    8. 03:01 +00:04 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (18:28)
    9. 03:01 +00:04 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (18:27)
    10. 03:01 +00:04 Paulina MACIUSZEK POL (19:54)
    11. 03:02 +00:04 Alevtina TANYGINA RUS (21:21)
    12. 03:02 +00:05 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (16:27)
    18. 03:04 +00:07 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (17:38)
    40. 03:09 +00:12 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (17:37)
    Total time at split 5
    1. 25:27 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (08:59)
    2. 26:07 +00:41 Therese JOHAUG NOR (09:01)
    3. 26:48 +01:22 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (09:10)
    4. 26:49 +01:22 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (09:12)
    5. 27:17 +01:50 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (09:15)
    6. 27:18 +01:51 Heidi WENG NOR (09:17)
    7. 27:21 +01:54 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (08:53)
    8. 27:21 +01:55 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (08:54)
    9. 27:22 +01:56 Aurore JEAN FRA (08:56)
    10. 28:03 +02:36 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (08:58)
    11. 28:04 +02:37 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA (08:55)
    Split 5 only
    1. 08:53 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (27:21)
    2. 08:54 +00:01 Sara LINDBORG SWE (28:04)
    3. 08:54 +00:01 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (27:21)
    4. 08:54 +00:01 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA (30:03)
    5. 08:54 +00:01 Maria RYDQVIST SWE (29:37)
    6. 08:55 +00:02 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA (28:04)
    7. 08:56 +00:03 Teresa STADLOBER AUT (29:40)
    8. 08:56 +00:03 Aurore JEAN FRA (27:22)
    9. 08:56 +00:03 Irina KHAZOVA RUS (29:38)
    10. 08:57 +00:04 Petra NOVAKOVA CZE (29:58)
    11. 08:57 +00:04 Paulina MACIUSZEK POL (28:51)
    20. 08:59 +00:06 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (25:27)
    21. 09:01 +00:08 Therese JOHAUG NOR (26:07)
    25. 09:10 +00:17 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (26:48)
    26. 09:12 +00:19 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (26:49)
    Total time at split 6
    1. 28:30 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (03:04)
    2. 29:13 +00:42 Therese JOHAUG NOR (03:05)
    3. 29:52 +01:22 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (03:04)
    4. 29:55 +01:25 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (03:06)
    5. 30:22 +01:51 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (03:01)
    6. 30:23 +01:52 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (03:01)
    7. 30:23 +01:53 Aurore JEAN FRA (03:01)
    8. 30:24 +01:54 Heidi WENG NOR (03:06)
    9. 30:25 +01:55 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (03:08)
    10. 31:05 +02:35 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (03:02)
    11. 31:07 +02:36 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA (03:03)
    Split 6 only
    1. 03:00 Coraline HUGUE FRA (32:35)
    2. 03:00 +00:01 Barbara JEZERSEK SLO (32:38)
    3. 03:01 +00:01 Aurore JEAN FRA (30:23)
    4. 03:01 +00:01 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (30:22)
    5. 03:01 +00:01 Maria RYDQVIST SWE (32:38)
    6. 03:01 +00:01 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (30:23)
    7. 03:01 +00:01 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR (31:52)
    8. 03:02 +00:02 Petra NOVAKOVA CZE (33:00)
    9. 03:02 +00:02 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (31:05)
    10. 03:02 +00:03 Masako ISHIDA JPN (31:53)
    11. 03:03 +00:03 Irina KHAZOVA RUS (32:41)
    17. 03:04 +00:04 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (28:30)
    19. 03:04 +00:04 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (29:52)
    22. 03:05 +00:05 Therese JOHAUG NOR (29:13)
    25. 03:06 +00:06 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (29:55)
    Total time at split 7
    1. 37:30 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (09:00)
    2. 38:09 +00:39 Therese JOHAUG NOR (08:57)
    3. 38:43 +01:12 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (08:51)
    4. 38:53 +01:23 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (08:58)
    5. 39:02 +01:32 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (08:40)
    6. 39:02 +01:32 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (08:40)
    7. 39:02 +01:32 Aurore JEAN FRA (08:39)
    8. 39:03 +01:32 Heidi WENG NOR (08:39)
    9. 39:50 +02:19 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN (09:24)
    10. 39:51 +02:21 Sara LINDBORG SWE (08:44)
    11. 39:55 +02:25 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR (08:50)
    Split 7 only
    1. 08:39 Heidi WENG NOR (39:03)
    2. 08:39 +00:01 Aurore JEAN FRA (39:02)
    3. 08:40 +00:01 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE (39:02)
    4. 08:40 +00:02 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN (39:02)
    5. 08:44 +00:05 Sara LINDBORG SWE (39:51)
    6. 08:46 +00:07 Jessica DIGGINS USA (39:59)
    7. 08:47 +00:08 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA (41:29)
    8. 08:48 +00:09 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA (41:54)
    9. 08:48 +00:10 Debora AGREITER ITA (41:37)
    10. 08:49 +00:10 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA (39:55)
    11. 08:49 +00:10 Maria RYDQVIST SWE (41:27)
    14. 08:51 +00:12 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN (38:43)
    23. 08:57 +00:18 Therese JOHAUG NOR (38:09)
    25. 08:58 +00:19 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN (38:53)
    26. 09:00 +00:21 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR (37:30)
    Overall (unofficial results from live timing – not including bonus seconds 15-10-5 seconds from top 3)
    1. 37:30 Astrid Uhrenholdt JACOBSEN NOR
    2. 38:09 +00:39 Therese JOHAUG NOR
    3. 38:43 +01:12 Anne KYLLOENEN FIN
    4. 38:53 +01:23 Kerttu NISKANEN FIN
    5. 39:02 +01:32 Krista LAHTEENMAKI FIN
    6. 39:02 +01:32 Eva VRABCOVA – NYVLTOVA CZE
    7. 39:02 +01:32 Aurore JEAN FRA
    8. 39:03 +01:32 Heidi WENG NOR
    9. 39:50 +02:19 Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN FIN
    10. 39:51 +02:21 Sara LINDBORG SWE
    11. 39:55 +02:25 Kristin Stoermer STEIRA NOR
    12. 39:55 +02:25 Elizabeth STEPHEN USA
    13. 39:59 +02:28 Jessica DIGGINS USA
    14. 40:07 +02:36 Olga KUZIUKOVA RUS
    15. 40:07 +02:37 Anna HAAG SWE
    16. 40:34 +03:03 Riitta-Liisa ROPONEN FIN
    17. 40:34 +03:03 Katrin ZELLER GER
    18. 40:47 +03:17 Masako ISHIDA JPN
    19. 40:48 +03:17 Valentina SHEVCHENKO UKR
    20. 40:53 +03:23 Emma WIKEN SWE
    21. 40:54 +03:24 Katerina SMUTNA AUT
    22. 40:57 +03:27 Paulina MACIUSZEK POL
    23. 41:15 +03:44 Stefanie BOEHLER GER
    24. 41:17 +03:47 Elisa BROCARD ITA
    25. 41:20 +03:50 Marina PILLER ITA
    26. 41:27 +03:56 Coraline HUGUE FRA
    27. 41:27 +03:57 Maria RYDQVIST SWE
    28. 41:29 +03:58 Anouk FAIVRE PICON FRA
    29. 41:29 +03:59 Celia AYMONIER FRA
    30. 41:30 +04:00 Barbara JEZERSEK SLO
    31. 41:30 +04:00 Irina KHAZOVA RUS
    32. 41:37 +04:07 Debora AGREITER ITA
    33. 41:40 +04:10 Claudia NYSTAD GER
    34. 41:41 +04:11 Polina MEDVEDEVA RUS
    35. 41:54 +04:24 Ilaria DEBERTOLIS ITA

    Race Preview & Predictions: Tour de Ski Queen Stage 2014

    Posted by Jan Kocbach, 02 Jan 2014@20:20


    The long stage from Cortina to Toblach in the men’s class is the Queen stage of Tour de Ski – with more than 30 kilometers of skating on an A-to-B course, this stage can shake up the overall standings considerably like it did in earlier years – see the 2013, 2012 and 2011 analysis here.  In the women’s class we will also have a very interesting pursuit race – although the women will “only” ski a 15 km race on a 5 km course which is skied 3 times.

    Cologna decided the Tour de Ski at the Cortina-Toblach stage in 2011 and 2012 by arriving alone in Toblach more than a minute ahead of the closest follower. In 2013 five skiers started within 30 seconds – and four of them (Legkov, Cologna, Northug and Vylegzhanin) finished together with a nearly 90 second gap to the rest of the field. These four skiers were also the ones fighting for the overall Tour win in 2013.

    (For discussion of the women’s race – see below the men)

    Set up your predictions

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

    Can Sundby race alone at the front?

    As we have seen in previous editions of Tour de Ski, if there is no cooperation in the chasing group, the leader can get away – and more and more skiers can come up from behind

    This year Martin Johnsrud Sundby is in a similar situation as Cologna in 2011 and 2012 – although the 32 second gap down to Swedish Halfvarsson in second might be too small for the Norwegian Tour de Ski and World Cup leader. The most probably scenario for this years race is that the 6 skiers who are between 32 and 61 seconds behind – Halfvarsson (+32), Harvey (+35), Northug (+37), Chernousov (+43), Poltoranin (+53) and Legkov (+61) quite soon form a group which tries to chase down Sundby at the front. The strong free technique skier Jespersen (+72) and a few others (Tscharnke at +79, Haagen Krogh and Bing at +81, Belov at +83 …) might manage to get up to Legkov before he catches the others, but there is a good chance that Legkov is strong enough to get away – and that the initial “cut” will be after Legkov and we will have a six man group chasing the leader.

    20-30 man big group?

    As we have seen in previous editions of Tour de Ski, if there is no cooperation in the chasing group, the race leader can get away – and/or more and more skiers can come up from behind. Legkov and Chernousov said in an interview with NRK that they will work together to chase down Sundby. - I think it will be not so hard. He is alone, and has only 30 seconds, Chernousov said with a confident smile. - We will catch him. Of course it will be difficult for him. He knows that we are behind him.

    Looking further down at the start list, we find the two French “locomotives” Gaillard at 1:50 and Manificat at 1:55 – both very strong in this type of races. Can they get all the way up to the Legkov-group – and even up to the lead? Depending on how the race develops and how well the skiers word together, we could even get a 20-30 man group coming together to Toblach – or Sundby alone. It will definitely be an interesting race!

    Here is the complete startlist / tour standings.

    2012/2013 details: Groups

    Five skiers started within 30 seconds – Vylegzhanin first with Cologna, Northug, Harvey and Legkov  following. Harvey used so much power to get up to the front that he could not keep  up with the other four – and in the end the remaining four finished together with a nearly 90 second gap to the rest of the field. The leading group slowed down the last kilometers – letting the other groups catch up some time. Northug won the sprint on the homestretch ahead of Legkov 0.7 seconds behind, and Cologna in third was 0.9 seconds back.

    Harvey on the other hand was caught by the Chernousov/Bauer/Hellner group – turning the trio into another quartet around 15 km into the race. This group gradually lost time to the leading quartet, finishing 1:25 behind the leaders (1:40 including bonus seconds). The rest of the skiers did not make the cut into the first two groups – and 16 of them gathered into a big third group. This third group raced very fast in the last 7-8 km of the race – and in the end this group finished only 20 seconds behind the Chernousov/Bauer/Hellner/Harvey group.

    2011/2012 details: Awesome Cologna – three big groups

    Petter Northug started the day 13.5 seconds behind Dario Cologna. Northug started out fast and caught Cologna after a few kilometers. The Norwegian was however punished for his tough start, and lost more than a minute to Cologna while waiting out Legkov (RUS). Behind Northug and Legkov the strongest group of the day was formed – the trio Hellner (SWE), Manificat (FRA) and Kershaw (CAN) – all three starting more than 2 minutes behind Cologna. They steadily gained time on Cologna until they caught Northug and Legkov around 20 km – having caught up with more than a minute at that time. Then they slowed down to the speed of Northug/Legkov, and the group finished down 1:16 from Cologna. If the group had not stopped cooperating when catching Northug/Legkov, they would probably have managed to gain even more time on Cologna. Marcus Hellner and Maurice Manificat – the two fastest skiers of the day – both gained around 1:30 on Cologna in the end.

    Interesting fact: No single skiers except for Cologna survived on their own their own throughout the race. The rest of the skiers fighting in the top packed themselves into only three big groups.

    Illustration Tour de Ski 2011/2012: Splitsbrowser where comparison is done to Dario Cologna. A line which is flat means the same time as Cologna. A line which goes down represents slower speed – a line which goes up represents faster speed. You can see where the grouping occured by observing where the lines get together.

    2010/2011 details: Large group – no cooperation in the end

    Looking back to the 2010/2011 edition of Tour de Ski, all skiers in the Top 30 except for Dario Cologna (SUI) and Marcus Hellner (SWE) in the lead got sucked up by three big groups (see article including graphical illustration here). The biggest group which Petter Northug (NOR) was part of gained time on Cologna throughout most of the race – gaining nearly 45 seconds from 7 km up to 27 km. However, the group had problems cooperating in the last part of the downhill down to Toblach, loosing more than half of what they had worked hard on gaining in the first part of the race. When the group got too big, the skiers did not manage to cooperate anymore.


    Illustration Tour de Ski 2010/2011: Splitsbrowser where comparison is again done against Dario Cologna. Note that the starting split not correct due to the way the time keeping is reported.

    2009/2010 details: Group of six from the start

    In the 2009/2010 edition, there was just over 16 seconds separating the top five Hellner (SWE), Østensen (NOR), Northug, Cologna and Teichmann (GER) at the start. Østensen was dropped early, and Heikkinen (FIN) and Gaillard (FRA) caught up with the remaining four after 15km. The leading six became five as they approached the town of Toblach where Teichmann fell off the pace. In the end Northug won the finish sprint ahead of Cologna and Hellner.

    Women: Strong field chasing Jacobsen

    Jacobsen will have a tough time defending her lead

    In the women’s race there will be an interesting fight between the Norwegians and the Finns. Jacobsen has a 37 second lead on Finnish Kerttu Niskanen with Therese Johaug 8 seconds behind. Saarinen and Kylloenen start another 10 seconds behind. Weng at 1:10 is probably too far back to get all the way up to the lead.

    The Finnish skiers have not got their strength in long free technique races, whereas this is one of Johaug’s strong points. The most probable scenario is that Johaug will close the gap to Niskanen whereas Saarinen and Kylloenen will struggle to get up to Johaug. Johaug will chase Jacobsen – with Niskanen trying to keep up. Depending on her day shape Jacobsen might be able to defend her lead – but it is just as probable that we will see Johaug and Jacobsen coming together to the finish – with or without a Finn or three.

    Here is the complete startlist / tour standings.