Topher Sabot – Page 18 – FasterSkier.com

Ferry Navigates Tough Biathlon Field, Claims Gold

Topher SabotFebruary 16, 2010

After several athletes in the men’s 12.5k biathlon pursuit started early, Swedish coaches were seen yelling at event officials, trying to get them to stop the race. You can bet they’re glad nobody listened, as one of their athletes, Bjorn Ferry, caught and passed France’s Vincent Jay on the final loop to take gold. Ferry become the first Swede in 60 years to win Olympic gold in biathlon, coming out on top in a race...

Olympics Racing

US Cross-Country Struggles in Olympic Opener

Topher SabotFebruary 15, 201019

Whistler, British Columbia – Over the last several years, expectations of American skiers in international competitions have consistently increased. Each year the bar has been raised, and the US ski community is no longer satisfied to settle for top-30 performances. But with high expectations comes the potential for great disappointment. With years of specific preparation and focus, these Olympics were supposed to be different, but bad days still happen, and this was one of them....

Olympics Racing Results

Kalla Wins First Olympic Gold

Topher SabotFebruary 15, 20105

Whistler, British Columbia – Charlotte Kalla (SWE) skied to a 6.6 second victory in the women’s 10km freestyle under cloudy skies at Whistler Olympic Park on Monday morning. Kalla, skiing in her first Olympics, entered the race as the favorite, and did not disappoint. She held a 9.4 second lead after 5km, and held on to beat comeback-kid Kristina Smigun-Vaehi (EST). “It feels crazy right now,” said Kalla at the finish line. “I cannot believe...

General News Olympics Racing US Ski Team World Cup

First XC Races Set to Kick Off This Morning in Whistler

Topher SabotFebruary 15, 2010

The first cross-country races of the 2010 Olympics – the 10/15km individual start freestyle – may represent the best chance for medals – for both the US and Canada. Kris Freeman (USA) has twice finished 4th at the World Championships in this distance, and while he has had more success in classic, he has raised his skating to a similar level in recent years, and should be better positioned in the individual start format. While...

Biathlon Olympics Racing

Burke Has First Chance fo Medal, Men’s Biathlon Starts Today

Topher SabotFebruary 14, 2010

Whistler, British Columbia – The men’s 1okm biathlon sprint starts in less than an hour at Whistler Olympic Park, providing American Tim Burke with his first chance of the 2010 Olympics to capture a medal. Burke has taken his game to a new level this year, finishing on the podium three times, and leading the overall World Cup on several occasions. Burke will battle tough conditions and tougher competition in the shortest biathlon event of...

Nordic Combined Olympics Racing US Ski Team

US Looking For Medals in Nordic Combined

Topher SabotFebruary 14, 2010

Whistler, British Columbia – The first of two individual Olympic nordic combined competitions will be held today at Whistler Olympic Park. The United States is in the unique position of having three medal hopefuls – Todd Lodwick, Billy Demong, and Johnny Spillane. While unlikely, a US sweep of the podium is not out of the question. The jumping portion of the competition will be held in under an hour at 10:00 at Whistler Olympic Park,...

Biathlon Olympics Racing

Whistler Olympic Park – Nordic Action Set to Start with Women’s Biathlon

Topher SabotFebruary 13, 2010

Whistler, British Columbia – The first Nordic medal event of the 2010 Olympic Games kicks off at 1:00PM local time. The women’s 7.5km biathlon sprint features 89 starters, with a maximum of four from any one nation. The US with four women at the Olympics will start a full contingent, Laura Spector, Haley Johnson, Sara Studebaker, and Lanny Barnes. The Canadians will also start four – Rosanna Crawford, Zina Kocher, Megan Imrie and Megan Tandy. ...

Olympics Racing

Variable Conditions at Whistler Olympic Park

Topher SabotFebruary 12, 20104

Whistler, British Columbia – Conditions at Whistler Olympic Park – the venue for cross-country skiing, biathlon, nordic combined and ski jumping have been predictably unpredictable. The variable snow in Whistler has been a major topic of conversation among teams and service personnel over the last several years. The US invested significant resources into a program set up to prepare skis – both in terms of structure and wax – specifically for this venue. Last year...

General Interviews News Olympics Racing Training World Cup

“To Ski As Fast As Possible”: An Interview With Finnish Coach Magnar Dalen

Topher SabotFebruary 12, 2010

As far as coaching goes, Magnar Dalen has been around the block. Formerly the head coach of the Swedish team and head wax tech for the Norwegians, Dalen has been in charge of the Finnish program for the last four years. When Dalen took over Finland’s team in 2006, the women were already strong, with Virpi Kuitunen and Aino-Kaisa Saarinen finishing sixth and 12th in the World Cup overall the year before. But the men’s...

Olympics Racing World Cup

Peaking is Individual

Topher SabotFebruary 10, 20101

Peaking for a specific event is not limited to World Cup athletes – anyone who races has most likely focused on a specific event, trying to maximize fitness. The Olympics, however, as the most prestigious event for cross-country skiers, biathletes and nordic combined athletes, take the concept of peaking to the ultimate level. And while it may not be surprising, it is interesting how individual preparation for a an event the magnitude of the Olympics...

Olympics Racing US Ski Team World Cup

A Mixed Bag in Canmore, But Not to Worry

Topher SabotFebruary 9, 2010

Canmore, Alberta – Yet another North American World Cup has come and gone, and as has been the case in recent years, it was a mixed bag for the United States. There were some obvious high points – Caitlin Compton’s 14th in the 10km freestyle and Torin Koos qualifying 2nd in the men’s classic sprint – before being eliminated in the semifinal. And one should not overlook Holly Brooks’ 24th in her first World Cup...

Racing Results World Cup

Joensson Dominating in Olympic Tune-Up

Topher SabotFebruary 6, 20102

Canmore, Alberta – Emil Joennson (SWE) showed he is in fine form to challenge for Olympic gold, skiing to a convincing win in the men’s classic sprint on a sunny Saturday. John Kristian Dahl (NOR) took 2nd, but will now head home to Norway as he did not make the Norwegian Olympic team. Dario Cologna (SUI) capped a fine weekend with his 2nd podium, finishing 3rd. Tough Course, Tough Heats After a gruelling 15km on...

Racing Results World Cup

Joensson, Kowalczyk Take Sprint Qualifier – 16 North Americans In the Heats

Topher SabotFebruary 6, 2010

Canmore, Alberta – Emil Joensson (SWE) and Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) won the classic sprint qualifier this morining on a long challenging course at the Canmore Nordic Center. Kowalczyk was dominating, winning in a time of 3:30.27, 4.55 seconds ahead of rival Petra Majdic (SLO). Anna Olsson was 3rd, another 2.2 sconds behind Majdic. The women’s field was surprisingly spread out, with a number of large gaps in the top-30 – though none was larger than...

Racing World Cup

And Now For The Sprint…

Topher SabotFebruary 6, 2010

Canmore, Alberta – World Cup racing continues tomorrow with a classic sprint on a new course at the Canmore Nordic Center. Two years ago when the World Cup came to town, many of the men opted to double pole the classic sprint on skate skis. Since then FIS has worked to hold longer, more challenging classic sprints to avoid this. Canmore is no exception. The sprint course has been re-routed to add one large climb...

Racing Results World Cup

Italy Strong at “Home Away From Home” – Top 2 in Men’s 15km

Topher SabotFebruary 5, 20103

Canmore, Alberta – Italian Pietro Piller Cottrer wouldn’t mind moving his family to Canmore. “I just need to teach them English and we can come,” he said following his 2nd place finish in today’s 15km individual start freestyle. According to Piller Cottrer, Canmore is very similar to his home in the Italian Dolomites. “I have always raced very well here, and have now finished 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th in Canmore.” Piller Cottrer joined teammate...

General News Racing Results

Craftsbury Marathon: Juergen Uhl and Susan Dunklee take victories

Topher SabotFebruary 3, 2010

The 2010 Master’s Nationals came to an end with the 50km classic Craftsbury Marathon. Juergen Uhl and Susan Dunklee skied to victory on the four-lap course. A big rainstorm the Monday before took a toll on the snow. The original clover-leaf 25k loop had to be shortened. But the skiing was excellent thanks to the hard work of volunteers and grooming staff. The day dawned sunny, but frigidly cold. With temperatures hovering around the -4F...

Olympics

Olympic Quota: USA To Send 10 to Olympics, Canada 15

Topher SabotJanuary 26, 2010

The FIS released an updated Olympic quota list today. The US now has 10 total spots, and Canada 15. It is still possible that more quota spots could become available. A number of teams have a current quota higher than the number of athletes that have been. Norway for instance has named 19 skiers, but has held onto all 20 spots. One possibility is that some nations have not returned quota spots – either because...

Collegiate Continental Cup Racing Results

Liebsch, Dussault Lead CXC in Minneapolis SuperTour

Topher SabotJanuary 23, 20101

Minneapolis, Minnesota – Matt Liebsch and Rebecca Dussault led CXC Team Vertical Limit in a dominating performance this morning as the US SuperTour continued in Minnesota. Liebsch, winner of last year’s American Birkebeiner, posted a convincing win at the head of a trio of CXC skiers. He completed the 10km freestyle race in a time of 22:23, 38 seconds faster than teammate Brain Gregg. Bryan Cook completed the CXC Team Vertical Limit sweep just 4.2...

Racing Results World Cup

Russian Men Sweep 30km Podium

Topher SabotJanuary 23, 2010

Rybinsk, Russia – The Russian men’s team swept the podium, and placed six in the top-10 in the 30km pursuit, Artem Zhmurko won his first-ever World Cup race, following up on his strong 9th last weekend in Otepaa. Zhmurko won a tight sprint consisting of seven men. He also claimed an addition 25 World Cup points by winning one intermediate sprint, and finishing second in another. “I’m so happy about my first place!” said Zhmurko. ...

Racing Results World Cup

Kowalczyk Gets The Point in World Cup Pursuit

Topher SabotJanuary 23, 2010

Rybinsk, Russia – Justyna Kowalczyk (POL), one of the few top World Cup skiers racing in Rybinsk, extended her overall World Cup lead by winning every bonus sprint and the race. The 15km pursuit featured two intermediate bonus sprints with 15,10 and 5 World Cup points awarded to the top three at each location. Kowalczyk bested Russian Irna Khazova each time to take home an extra 30 points. Khazova ended up 5th, while teammate Olga...

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