VAL DI FIEMME, Italy – The course today for Stage 8 of the 2011/2012 Tour de Ski was tough! There was not much in the way of flat, and those poor World Cup souls who did not have perfect kick – amazing athletes every one of them – fell back quickly. Here are FasterSkier’s pictures on the day.
Photographers Awaiting Race Start
Unbelievable Tracks
Mountain With Stadium
The Men Start
Legkov, and Chernousov behind Dario Cologna at the 20 k mass start in the Tour de Ski.
Bauer, Legkov, and Joensson
Bauer Leads Early On
The Lollipop Turn
Climbers and the Crowd
The Race Chopper: Many Loops Today
Cologna, Vylegzhanin, Harvey, and Dyrhaug
Dropping Into the Lollipop Turn
Bauer Leads Around the Corner
Di Centa, Hellner, and Dryhaug Cornering
Roenning (1st) and Turychev (5th)
Val di Fiamme
Photographer Row
Das Start!
The Women’s Start
Stephen Out of the Gate
Randall Early On (12th)
Kowalczyk Drops into Stadium
Kikkan Randall leading Marit Bjørgen in a pursuit in last season’s Tour de Ski. It happened again today in Davos, with Randall leading the sprint final but Bjørgen ultimately winning a sprint finish.
Kristofferson, Kalla and Johaug Dropping into Stadium
Stephen (34th) Starts 2nd Lap
Brooks (45th) Starting 2nd Lap
Lead Pack, 1st Lap
Kowalczyk Leads Bjoergen into Downhill
Kowalczyk Cornering (1st)
Bjoergen Cornering (2nd)
Kowalczyk Wins!
Lahteenmahki (9th)
Johaug at the Finish (11th)
Randall Finishes in 12th
Stephen (34th)