Rain, Rain, Go Away! Go Away From Lillehammer!

Rain, Rain, Go Away! Go Away From Lillehammer!

Leaders, Newsfeed
It's plus 5 Celsius in Lillehammer today , with steady rain. Same as a prevailing weather in Finland and Scandinavia throughout the whole month of November. [caption id="attachment_9514" align="aligncenter" width="1468"] Sprint qualification was a battle against elements for both skiers and their servicemen [/caption] "Something is got to be done about that " is a popular ( not unanimous, however) feeling among athletes, coaches and equipment producers. Nobody, however, is prepared to go on record with their ideas as to what specifically suggested ( and we heard some interesting ones, trust us!) [caption id="attachment_9510" align="aligncenter" width="1470"] waterskiing session ?[/caption] The irony is, both North America and Siberia currently go through a moderate cold spell, with plenty of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Most skiers would like to have the World Cup…
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Elite Skier Says Goodbye To National Team At 24 – What Gives?

Elite Skier Says Goodbye To National Team At 24 – What Gives?

Money & Finance, Newsfeed
Money and cross country skiing. Or, rather, money IN cross-country skiing. International competitions are between countries – and countries tend to be richer or poorer. Or, for one reason or another, unwilling to invest into elite sport. Perhaps, nowhere it feels more acute than in cross-country skiing. The Norwegians dominate the sport not only because they have a never-ending stream of talents, but also because they are willing to spend what it takes to win. As in training camps, equipment ( not skis – in million euros worth wax trucks), salaries of coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, technicians etc. etc. The Russians have started to catch up lately. It is tempting to invoke doping scandals of the past but those in the know point out that the Russians have invested heavily in…
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Alexander Bolshunov, In Photos

Alexander Bolshunov, In Photos

Leaders, Newsfeed
...in sprint finale at the first stage of the FIS World Cup in Ruka Alexander Bolshunov has shown to the whole skiing world that grit pays off. When Johannes Klaebo, thinking he has un assailable lead, has slowed down to look around, Bolshunov kept on working - and won. The first race of the season has proven that the commentators have been all correct so far: two 22 year olds ( Bolshunov is still , technically 21) , the Norwegian and the Russian, are in the league of their own and will dominate the upcoming season. The Daily Skier has followed Bolshunov through his summer and autumn training camps - and here are our observations, illustrated: [caption id="attachment_9473" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] defining quality of Bolshunov: whatever he runs, he absolutely runs…
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Peter Schlickenrieder, New Man At Helm

Peter Schlickenrieder, New Man At Helm

Leaders, Newsfeed
Peter Schlickenrieder is the name that needs no introduction. Here's just a quick reminder of his career milestones: A Silver Olympic medalist of 2002. Together with Tobias Angerer, Rene Sommerfeldt and Axel Teichmann represents the Golden Age of German cross country skiing when international medals and podiums were galore. After the end of the sporting career got coach's diploma as well as launched a sports marketing agency. For over 15 years Schlickenrieder was a main cross country ski expert and commentator on ARD, German public television with a huge audience. He also wrote several successful books on cross country skiing and mountaineering. Earlier this year Peter Schlickenrieder was appointed the Head Coach or "Teamchef" of the German national cross country ski team - after the season that was quite disappointing…
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Introducing Star About To Rise

Introducing Star About To Rise

Leaders, Newsfeed
Making predictions is a dangerous business - but somebody got to do it. Meet Ivan Yakimushkin - who will become one of the biggest new stars in the upcoming season - or so we think after watching him compete in early races in Finland. a 22 year old Russian is 82 kg, 181cm. Can do 37 chin-ups. And win on ski tracks competing against some of the world’s best. The FIS race in Muonio might be a bit of a home affair for the Russian team ( mixed with strong Germans and French, to be fair) , but a 22 year old rather convincingly beat several Olympic and world medalists on 15k C. establishing himself as one of the main challengers, wild cards of the upcoming season. [caption id="attachment_9381" align="aligncenter"…
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