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“I’ll tell you; I never get no respect.” That was the lament of the immensely popular comedian Rodney Dangerfield, the loveable schlub who became an American icon by continually reminding everyone how unloved he was, while he simultaneously went on to become a huge success. The FIS (International Ski Federation) Team Sprint race format is kind of the Rodney Dangerfield of the ski world. Mention it to the average ski fan and they usually get about as excited as hearing about soybean futures—unless of course your team is winning a medal. Some of this is no doubt due to the complex qualifying and race structure. But if you take a look at when international cross-country skiing competitions occur, you would think that the Team Sprint is the belle of the ball. It’s been in every winter Olympics since 2006 and every World Championship since 2005. But during the regular season, it’s the first race many skiers are likely to opt out of and today was no exception. In the high altitude of Davos, Switzerland, it was the time for the Team Sprint to get its moment in the regular season spotlight, as the men and women competed for team honors in the Freestyle technique in this cross-country hybrid event.
In the women’s event the story was that there was no American team entered. Given how much emphasis the team places on the Nation’s Cup battle, the no show was a little surprising. But it’s a long season— in an Olympic year— and there’s only so much energy to go around, but it did feel a bit like a Dangerfield moment. While the American women rested, it was time for other nations to take their shot. After Sweden’s Sprint podium sweep last week in Trondheim, Norway, it felt like the Swedes were the prohibitive favorites, especially with Maja Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling headlining Sweden I into the qualifying round.
On the men’s side, the only question going into the race was how many of its stars, if any, would Norway rest. Given their early season dominance, they were clearly favored to win. In the qualifying rounds when Johannes Klaebo and Erik Valnes were on the start list for Norway I, and Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Oskar Vike, were manning Norway II, it looked a little bit like mission impossible for the rest of the men.
But one of the reasons that the Team Sprint has its appeal is that in the tight quarters with multiple exchanges and skiers packed so closely together, anything can—and often does—happen.
Men’s Team Sprint
Men’s Team Sprint Qualification
In the least surprising development of the day, Norway I led by Klaebo and Valnes qualified first, and Norway II led by Amundsen and Vike was second. In third place, 2.4 seconds off the lead was the Italian duo of Elia Barp, and Federico Pellegrino.
The only American team—which consisted of Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker—finished 18th place, which wasn’t good enough to qualify. After Ogden crashed and broke a pole in his qualifier, the American hopes for making the finals were dashed. Gus Schumacher didn’t race due to illness and took the day off to recuperate for the rest of the weekend. Because of this, Schoonmaker was moved into USA I and this resulted in no USA II being available.
Men’s Team Sprint Final
At the start Valnes shot to the lead and looked determined to set a brisk pace. An early crash by Barp pushed Italy I to the back and meant Pellegrino would have his work cut out for him. At the first exchange the field was still tightly bunched with Norway I and Sweden II going to the front. Halfway through this leg there was another crash as Sweden I’s Edvin Anger crashed in one of the icy turns. At this point Klaebo—who was unaware of the carnage behind him— decided to open up some navigating space around him and turned up the pace.
As Klaebo handed off on the second leg, Norway I was in the lead. The field was slightly broken up by another collision in the middle of the pack. But nothing deterred the Norwegians as Valnes continued to keep the Norwegians out front. He handed off to Klaebo who was now shadowed by the rest of the field. Anton Grahn of Sweden II was gamely hanging with Klaebo at the front, while in the middle of the field there were two more crashes as skiers tumbled throughout the slick course.
At the next exchange it was still Norway I and II at the front as Valnes and Amundsen began to press hard with Johan Haeggstroem of Sweden hanging with the Norwegians at the front. But Valnes soon found another gear and established some separation of the field. He was able to hand off to Klaebo with a slight lead over his teammate with Sweden I and Switzerland I close behind. Klaebo and Vike were out front while Sweden I’s Anger hung tight with Klaebo. Into the final hill Klaebo found the gear that only he has and created a large gap on the field.
Amazingly Pellegrino had managed to overcome the early deficit created by his teammate’s crash and was now battling Anger for second. Pellegrino was able to secure second place with Sweden I finishing third. In a huge surprise Norway II had dropped down to seventh place at the finish.
