You’ve probably heard the news by now: Marit Bjørgen, the Norwegian queen of cross-country skiing, has decided to retire. The 38 year old made the announcement a week ago after winning the first race of Norwegian nationals, the 5-kilometer classic, on April 6. “In reality it has been a long process,” she told NRK that day, according to a translation. “I had almost decided before the competitive season started. I feel that I lack the...
Welcome to World Cup Windup, where we check in with the top-10 teams from last year’s FIS Cross Country World Cup tour before the season starts with the Ruka Triple in Kuusamo, Finland, on Nov. 24. FRANCE Overall in Nations Cup Last Year: Eighth Women’s Ranking 2016/2017: 15th Men’s Ranking 2016/2017: Fifth Who’s Back: Maurice Manificat, the fastest man up the Tour de Ski final climb last season, and a World Cup race winner previous...
Kikkan Randall proved to the world once again that she can overcome any obstacle to reach the top of a World Cup podium. The first Olympic test event of the weekend took place on Friday at the Laura Cross-Country Stadium outside Sochi, Russia, where Randall bested France’s Aurore Jean and Norway’s Celine Brun-Lie to claim her second individual sprint win and ninth podium of the season.
France Nations Cup Ranking: 7th (2477 pts) Men: 6th (1864 pts) Women: 9th (613 pts) 2010/2011 A Team Men Jean Marc Gaillard Emmanuel Jonnier Maurice Manificat Cyril Miranda Vincent Vittoz Women Aurore Jean What you may have missed last season: Maurice Manificat, or Maurice the Magnificent, absolutely exploding onto the World Cup. Manificat could very easily be labeled the most improved skier last season. It’s tough to believe that in 2008 he scored only seven...