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“I’ll tell you; I never get no respect.” That was the lament of the immensely popular comedian Rodney Dangerfield, the loveable schlub who became an American icon by continually reminding everyone how unloved he was, while he simultaneously went on to become a huge success. The FIS (International Ski Federation) Team Sprint race format is kind of the Rodney Dangerfield of the ski world. Mention it to the average ski fan and they usually get about as excited as hearing about soybean futures—unless of course your team is winning a medal. Some of this is no doubt due to the complex qualifying and race structure. But if you take a look at when international cross-country skiing competitions occur, you would think that the Team Sprint is the belle of the ball. It’s been in every winter Olympics since 2006 and every World Championship since 2005. But during the regular season, it’s the first race many skiers are likely to opt out of and today was no exception. In the high altitude of Davos, Switzerland, it was the time for the Team Sprint to get its moment in the regular season spotlight, as the men and women competed for team honors in the Freestyle technique in this cross-country hybrid event.
Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR), Jasmin Kahara (FIN), Maja Dahlqvist (SWE), Iris De Martin Pinter (ITA), Laura Gimmler (GER), Anja Weber (SUI), (l-r) fight for position in the women’s Team Sprint. (Photo: NordicFocus)
In the women’s event the story was that there was no American team entered. Given how much emphasis the team places on the Nation’s Cup battle, the no show was a little surprising. But it’s a long season— in an Olympic year— and there’s only so much energy to go around, but it did feel a bit like a Dangerfield moment. While the American women rested, it was time for other nations to take their shot. After Sweden’s Sprint podium sweep last week in Trondheim, Norway, it felt like the Swedes were the prohibitive favorites, especially with Maja Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling headlining Sweden I into the qualifying round.
On the men’s side, the only question going into the race was how many of its stars, if any, would Norway rest. Given their early season dominance, they were clearly favored to win. In the qualifying rounds when Johannes Klaebo and Erik Valnes were on the start list for Norway I, and Harald Oestberg Amundsen and Oskar Vike, were manning Norway II, it looked a little bit like mission impossible for the rest of the men.
But one of the reasons that the Team Sprint has its appeal is that in the tight quarters with multiple exchanges and skiers packed so closely together, anything can—and often does—happen.
Men’s Team Sprint
Men’s Team Sprint Qualification
In the least surprising development of the day, Norway I led by Klaebo and Valnes qualified first, and Norway II led by Amundsen and Vike was second. In third place, 2.4 seconds off the lead was the Italian duo of Elia Barp, and Federico Pellegrino.
Team USA’s chances ended when Ben Ogden crashed in the qualifier. (Photo: NordicFocus)
The only American team—which consisted of Ben Ogden and JC Schoonmaker—finished 18th place, which wasn’t good enough to qualify. After Ogden crashed and broke a pole in his qualifier, the American hopes for making the finals were dashed. Gus Schumacher didn’t race due to illness and took the day off to recuperate for the rest of the weekend. Because of this, Schoonmaker was moved into USA I and this resulted in no USA II being available.
Men’s Team Sprint Final
At the start Valnes shot to the lead and looked determined to set a brisk pace. An early crash by Barp pushed Italy I to the back and meant Pellegrino would have his work cut out for him. At the first exchange the field was still tightly bunched with Norway I and Sweden II going to the front. Halfway through this leg there was another crash as Sweden I’s Edvin Anger crashed in one of the icy turns. At this point Klaebo—who was unaware of the carnage behind him— decided to open up some navigating space around him and turned up the pace.
As Klaebo handed off on the second leg, Norway I was in the lead. The field was slightly broken up by another collision in the middle of the pack. But nothing deterred the Norwegians as Valnes continued to keep the Norwegians out front. He handed off to Klaebo who was now shadowed by the rest of the field. Anton Grahn of Sweden II was gamely hanging with Klaebo at the front, while in the middle of the field there were two more crashes as skiers tumbled throughout the slick course.
It was no surprise when Norway I, led by Johannes Klaebo (NOR) went to the lead and won the race. (Photo: NordicFocus)
At the next exchange it was still Norway I and II at the front as Valnes and Amundsen began to press hard with Johan Haeggstroem of Sweden hanging with the Norwegians at the front. But Valnes soon found another gear and established some separation of the field. He was able to hand off to Klaebo with a slight lead over his teammate with Sweden I and Switzerland I close behind. Klaebo and Vike were out front while Sweden I’s Anger hung tight with Klaebo. Into the final hill Klaebo found the gear that only he has and created a large gap on the field.
Federico Pellegrino (ITA) did a great job closing the gap after his teammates crash to secure second for Italy. (Photo: NordicFocus)
Amazingly Pellegrino had managed to overcome the early deficit created by his teammate’s crash and was now battling Anger for second. Pellegrino was able to secure second place with Sweden I finishing third. In a huge surprise Norway II had dropped down to seventh place at the finish.
After the race Klaebo said he wasn’t aware of the crashes behind him but wanted to be out front regardless. As usual, his race strategy worked perfectly even if at the time he couldn’t fully appreciate its effect.
Federico Pellegrino (ITA), Elia Barp (ITA), Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR), Erik Valnes (NOR), Johan Haeggstroem (SWE), Edvin Anger (SWE), (l-r) (Photo: NordicFocus)
Women’s Team Sprint
Women’s Team Sprint Qualification
There were no surprises in the top two qualifying spots as Sweden I consisting of Dahlqvist and Sundling finished first with Sweden II’s Emma Ribom and Linn Svahn qualifying second. Germany’s team I of Laura Gimmler and Coletta Rydzek took the third qualifying spot, and Norway II consisting of Astrid Oeyre Slind and Mathilde Myhrvold settled for qualifying fourth.
Women’s Team Sprint Final
Lap one of the women’s race was a tightly packed affair with Switzerland getting to the exchange first, but there hadn’t been any real separation as Fabienne Alder (SUI) went out first in her leg of the lap, but was quickly absorbed by the field with Sweden I and II going to the front of the pack.
Jonna Sundling (SWE) created a big lead as she eased across the finish line for the victory. (Photo: NordicFocus)
At the second exchange Kristine Stavaas Skistad of Norway I snuck to the front and was the first to hand off to her teammate Kristin Fosnaes. At this point there still hadn’t been much separation with Dahlqvist now pushing the tempo.
At the start of the third exchange the Swedes were beginning to assert themselves and Sundling and Svahn pushed to the front as the field began to string out.
Kristin Austgulen Fosnaes (NOR), Kristine Stavaas Skistad (NOR), (l-r) hand off in the Team Sprint. (Photo: NordicFocus)
On the final leg Slind went to the front with the two Swedes going with her. Dahlqvist and Slind began to push hard as Germany and Switzerland hung with them.
As the final exchange approached, Dahlqvist had gapped the field giving Sundling about a three second advantage over Norway I and Norway II, as Sweden II struggled to keep with the pace. Sundling had a large lead of almost six seconds as the skiers entered the finish area with Norway I and II working hard to try to stay on the podium. Sundling was unchallenged as she entered the stadium and coasted to the finish. Norway I and II fought for second place with Norway II edging out Norway I. Germany I finished fourth. In the biggest surprise of the day, Sweden II finished in fifth.
Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR), Mathilde Myhrvold (NOR), (l-r) beat expectations and finished second. (Photo: NordicFocus)
After the race Dahlqvist commented on the difficulty of coping with the altitude, and both racers stated that they were pleased with their efforts.
Men’s Team Sprint Final RESULTS
Women’s Team Sprint Final RESULTS
Astrid Oeyre Slind (NOR), Mathilde Myhrvold (NOR), (l-r) – FIS world cup cross-country, team sprint, Davos (SUI). (Photo: NordicFocus)
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