Beitostolen, Norway – FIS racing action continues, as top skiers prepare for next week’s World Cup opener. 122 men and 74 women are scheduled to start. The men’s field includes such names as Petter Northug (NOR) Pietro PIller Cottrer (ITA) and Alexander Legkov (RUS). They will be racing a 15km freestyle. Kris Freeman (USA) makes his debut, starting as bib 110 in the seeded group. He will be joined by fellow American Lars Flora. In an interesting aside, Norwegian biathlon great Ole Einar Bjorndalen will start the cross-country race, as opposed to the biathlon event, also being held tomorrow in Beitostolen. The women’s field is just as stacked as the men’s, with Kristin Storemer Steira (NOR) and Therese Johaug (NOR) leading the way. The entire Italian World Cup team is present, including Marianna Longa and Arriana Follis. Petra Majdic (SLO) and Marit Bjoergen (NOR) will also contest the 10km freestyle race. The US start two women – Liz Stephen and Morgan Aritolla make their first international starts as members of the US A-team. Temperatures are predicted to be in the 20s with snow possible. Start time is 12:45 for the women, and 1:55 for the men.
Topher Sabot
Topher Sabot is the editor of FasterSkier.
