A Norwegian development-pipeline skier, Kari Øyre Slind spent this summer largely training alone, but it's worked for her. “I choose to think of the Beitostølen weekend as a performance out of the ordinary,” she told FasterSkier about her recent double podium. “But now I know that I can perform with the best on a good day.”
Which is worse: Petter Northug winning Friday's 10 k classic in Bruksvallarna, Sweden, while wearing the Swedish colors, or him comparing the win to a teenager beating a toddler in a footrace?
Devon Kershaw arrived in Beitostølen, Norway, last week without any teammates, team wax or coaching support, and worst of all, no skis. He also didn't have a race suit. “That added to the hilarity of the situation,” the Canadian World Cup Team veteran explained. And then he raced on klister when most everyone else double poled.
For the second time this weekend, a Norwegian was disqualified during a race in Beitostølen, Norway, and missed out on a victory because of it. Maiken Caspersen Falla was first across the line in the women's classic sprint final, but subsequently relegated, leaving Russia's Natalia Matveeva with the win.
Saturday's takeaway: don't tick off Martin Johnsrud Sundby. He will come back with a purpose and has the potential to win big. The 31-year-old Norwegian did so in Beitostølen's 15 k skate FIS race, and France put two in the top five after a somber evening in Paris.
Therese Johaug proved that no amount of hand injuries (two to be precise) can derail the start to her season as she won her second-straight race in Beitostølen, Norway. "I had to dig deep the whole way, but these conditions are my advantage," she said of the heavy snowfall.
Martin Johnsrud Sundby set the fastest time in the FIS-season opening 15 k classic race on Friday in Beitostølen, Norway, and did so with an injured rib, but he was ultimately disqualified for skating. His Norwegian teammate, Sjur Røthe took the win instead, beating the runner-up by 51 seconds.
Therese Johaug rocketed to first in her first race of the season, the FIS 7.5 k classic opener in Beitøstolen, Norway. She did so with the help of perennial rival and teammate Marit Bjørgen, who is due with her first child next month.
At least three popular Norwegian ski destinations are vying for early season cross-country skiers, and its costing upwards of a million dollars between Sjusjøen, Beitostølen and Trysil. In some places, warm temperatures are melting the white gold before organizers' eyes.
BEITOSTØLEN, Norway – “It’s really too bad there weren’t more girls here,” Therese Johaug told Langrenn.com after the 10 k classic FIS race in Beitostolen on Sunday. That race had 25 Norwegian females on the result lists, while Friday’s 10K skate race featured 23 Norwegian women, and 21 completed Saturday’s sprint. “There are definitely fewer girls here than previous years,” said Egil Kristiansen, head coach for the Norwegian national team women. “Disappointingly few girls here,” said...
A 17th place in the sprint qualifier and a 58th place in the 15K classic on Sunday doesn’t bother Torin Koos.
The Canadians might have coined the term “own the podium” for the 2010 Olympics, but at the FIS season opener at Beitostølen (NOR) Friday, the Russian men dominated. In the men’s 15K skate, the Russians occupied five of the top seven spots, including the whole podium.
Norwegian cross-country skier Therese Johaug has changed her season preparation routine and is literally bursting with energy at the start of the season opener at Beitostølen this weekend.
To race at the World Championships at Holmenkollen on home turf in February is maybe one of the biggest moments in a Norwegian skier’s career. The Norwegian Ski Association just announced their criteria for naming athletes to that team.