FasterSkier · February 20, 2007
The Norwegian betting company Nordicbet doesn’t believe in World Championship gold for Petter Northug. They have more confidence in Frode Estil, Jens Arne Svartedal and the Norwegian relay team.
Petter Northug isn’t considered one of the most obvious favorites in individual events, but he is given better odds at winning in the 4 x 10 kilometer relay or in the two person team sprint.
“The sprint has been incredibly hard to decide odds for. There are so many good sprinters in Norway and in the rest of the Worlds. Hetland’s history as a championship skier makes us believe that he should be among the favorites to win,” says Rud Petersen.
Russian Vassili Rotchev is the third highest favorite with odds 6.75. Hjelmeset and Rœnning, also of Norway are 4.0 and 5.0 on the list.
Past season’s top sprinters Björn Lind and Tobias Fredriksson are further down the list.
Frode Estil is Nordicbet’s favorite in the 50-kilometer classic race.
“We know what Frode stands for. He is tough,” says Estil's marketing manager.
Virpi dominates among the women
The women’s side is dominated by Virpi Kuitunen from Finland.
Live bets will be accepted during Worlds. People can, for example bet on who will be fastest at the 1.3 kilometer mark.
Other interesting odds for the men’s sprint:
Andrew Newell 14
Bjorn Lind 16
Thobias Fredriksson 16
Torin Koos 50
Women’s sprint odds:
Virpi Kuitunen 2.95
Astrid Jacobsen 7.0
Marit Bjorgen 11
Lina Andersson 11
Chandra Crawford 30
SOURCE: Langrenn.com
 to get a desired gold in Sapporo. </p><p>You can look up all Nordicbet’s odds for World Champs at (some will not be posted until the day before the race) www.nordicbet.com </p><p>The men’s sprint odds are here: http://www.nordicbet.com/?event=force_frames&path=selection&query=cmd%3Dget_categories%26categories_id%3D106.</p><p>Please note that most European betting sites do not accept bets from US accounts due to credit card laws. </p><p><B>Svartedal the favorite</B> </p><p>The company is a bigger believer in Jens Arne Svartedal and Tor Arne Hetland. They are on top of the list (smallest odds/payout if one of them wins) for Thursday’s (Feb.22) classic sprint. Svartedal’s odds are 4.50 and Hetland’s are 4.75</p></div><div class=)