Of the 18 North Americans that competed in Sunday’s 1.3-kilometer freestyle sprints at the Toblach World Cup, nine made the rounds. Many of them chatted with FasterSkier about the day and final race before the Olympics.
HomeTag
Toblach
Bjørgen Sits Tight, Seizes Toblach Skate Sprint Win; Randall Fifth in Last Race Before Olympics
Alex KochonFebruary 2, 2014
If anyone was going to deny Kikkan Randall of her third-straight skate sprint win, a feat that hasn’t been achieved on the World Cup since Marit Bjørgen's similar winning streak in 2006, it was most likely going to be Bjørgen. The 33-year-old Norwegian stayed calm and collected to do so, leading three Norwegians in the top four as Randall finished fifth in Sunday's Toblach sprint.
Bjornsen Captures Career-Best 18th in Toblach: ‘Could Not Have Been Better’
Alex KochonFebruary 2, 2014
Erik Bjornsen of the U.S. Ski Team broke through in Saturday's 15 k classic individual start at the Toblach World Cup in Italy, two days after placing 17th the same event at U23 World Championships. Aside from Alex Harvey in fifth, the rest of the North American men placed outside the top 38 on a wet day marked by tricky conditions.
After World Cup Break, Bjørgen Tallies 36-Second Win in Toblach 10 k; Five U.S. Women in Top 22
Alex KochonFebruary 1, 2014
The Toblach World Cup 10-kilometer classic individual start on Saturday provided a few takeaways exactly one week out from the Olympics. Bjørgen made a statement with a definitive win, Kowalczyk missed the podium for the first time in a 10 k classic since 2009, and the U.S. women put four in the top 20, five in the top 22, in a classic distance race.
Legkov Catches a Ride from Harvey, Steals Cologna Show in Toblach 15 k Classic
Alex KochonFebruary 1, 2014
With a rocket-fast last lap and some unplanned help from Canada's Alex Harvey, Alexander Legkov made Saturday a little less about Dario Cologna, who returned to the World Cup after missing the first half of the season. Legkov won the last distance race before the Olympics, bringing Russia some good vibes before it hosts the Games.
With the World Cup resuming on Saturday (after a bye weekend two weeks out from the Olympics), Toblach organizers are doing their best to remove and manage heavy snowfall. According to FasterSkier's on-site reporter Gerry Furseth, there was no official training on Friday "as the heavy snow made for unusual skiing conditions."
Need-to-Know Basics: Eighth Annual Tour de Ski
BrainspiralDecember 27, 2013
With the eighth-annual Tour de Ski starting 24 hours from 8 a.m. EST, we thought we’d give you a rundown of what’s happening when and who’s racing.
American Men Plug Away in 35 k Despite Obstacles; Newell Breaks Two Poles
Alex KochonJanuary 3, 2013
Kris Freeman and Noah Hoffman improved in the overall Tour de Ski standings, but neither were psyched about their results, considering Hoffman fell and Freeman's been fighting an uphill battle since he crashed in stage two. Andy Newell broke two poles and skied a total of about seven kilometers on broken ones, settling for 67th.
After Race-Morning Scare Led to Missing Suits and Bibs, Canadian Men Pack Top 30 at Tour de Ski
Audrey ManganJanuary 3, 2013
After getting locked out of their bus, the Canadians didn't have a great start to the day. But for the most part they turned things around. Alex Harvey led the way in 6th and Devon Kershaw placed 12th; Kershaw complimented Ivan Babikov (21st) for attacking hard on the 15 k climb, and Lenny Valjas (25th) for finishing his longest race in years - and doing so quite honorably.
Not This Tour, Dario: After Four Men Battle for 35 K, Northug Emerges to Win Finishing Sprint
Chelsea LittleJanuary 3, 2013
The days when Switzerland's Dario Cologna won Tour after Tour seemingly effortlessly have come to an end. Cologna still has a shot, but after Petter Northug of Norway defeated Cologna and Russians Alexander Legkov and Maxim Vylegzhanin in a sprint finish in stage four, he'll have to work a little harder. After today's showing Northug, meanwhile, is confident that the title is his.
Morilov Waits, Then Pounces for Skate Sprint Win in TDS Stage 6 in Toblach
Nathaniel HerzJanuary 4, 2012
TOBLACH, Italy – Were the Russians drinking vodka in their wax cabin after Nikolay Morilov won Stage 6 of the 2012 Tour de Ski on Wednesday? “A little, yes,” said Mikhail Lukertsenko, one of the team’s staff. “It’s a victory.” Morilov, a 25-year-old Olympic medalist, foiled the Tour heavyweights and big names on the homestretch here, using a combination of perfect tactics, timing, and power. Petter Northug (NOR) was second, missing out on the victory...