Yet another big weekend of racing is already underway, with a Nordic Combined World Cup this morning. In addition to two more NoCo races, you can take your pick of World Cup XC, World Cup Biathlon, NorAm sprints, and US Biathlon World Team Trials. Add to that a bevy of regional events and if it was on cable, your weekend would be set. Just a quick overview this week…
World Cup Cross-Country
The cross-country World Cup moves to Rogla, Slovenia, for the first time. Racing starts tomorrow with a freestyle sprint on a long challenging course. On Sunday skiers contest the first Mass Start of the season, a 15/30km classic.
The Americans will field Andy Newell, Kikkan Randall, Kris Freeman, Torin Koos, and Lars Flora, while Canada starts Sarah Renner, Chandra Crawford, and Alex Harvey. Devon Kershaw is scheduled to start, but is sick, and did not travel to Slovenia.
Predictions:
Look for Newell to reach the A-Final and Koos to qualify for the first time this season. Randall will also be in the A-final. Freeman will not be able to repeat his top-10 finishes in the mass start, but will be in the top-20. Harvey? Look for a top 30. Crawford and Renner won’t make the heats.
World Cup Biathlon
Racing continues in Pokljuka, Slovenia. The 15/20km individual was held Thursday and the biathletes contest 7.5/10km sprint tomorrow and a 10/12.5km pursuit on Sunday.
World Cup Nordic Combined
A three race weekend is already under way. The US placed three skiers in the top-10 in today’s competition. Saturday and SUnday feature repeats of the same competition format – a jump on the HS98 hill and a 10km ski race. An extra race was added to the schedule after last week’s events were canceled.
NorAm Sprints
The NorAm continues in Canmore, with back-to-back classic sprints. This is another Olympic qualifier for the Canadians, and a big race for the Americans – the first indication of who might be on track for an Olympic sprint spot.
Women’s Ski Jumping
Two competitions this weekend in Notodden, Norway. HS98 jumps on both Saturday and Sunday.
Regional
Regional racing is picking up. This weekend includes the opening Besh Cup in Alaska, the first Eastern Cup in New England, and a Midwestern JOQ.
Topher Sabot
Topher Sabot is the editor of FasterSkier.
