Falun and Done: Finale Predictions

The double pursuits put a gel wrapper in my klister, I'll tell you what. Who expected either Majdic or Northug to fall so far off the front? Nobody who made predictions for the double pursuits, that's who. Petra finished 24th, more than a minute down, which ruins her chances to win the overall World Cup title, since she'll be starting 1:06 behind Kowalczyk in Sunday's 10k freestyle pursuit. Northug finished 20th, about a half-minute down, which means he'll start 1:20 behind Cologna on Sunday - an insurmountable gap. Something horrifying and interesting would have to happen for either Kowalczyk or Cologna to fail to win the World Cup Final and the World Cup overall titles.

Behind them, we should see some interesting racing, with the Mördarbacken wreaking its usual havoc on groups that might form soon after the starts. In the men's race shows Hellner, Northug, Jauhojarvi, Bauer, Koukal, di Centa, and Harvey starting within 11 seconds of one another. Similarly,
in the women's race, Sachenbacher-Stehle, Nystad, Muranen, Kalla, and Roponen are covered by only six seconds.

CHRISTOPHER'S PICKS

women's 10k hunter-style pursuit
1 Kowalcyzk
2 Kalla
3 Sachenbacher-Stehle
4 Nystad
5 Johaug
alternates
6 Muranen
7 Olsson

men's 15k hunter-style pursuit
1 Cologna
2 Angerer
3 Northug
4 Legkov
5 Hellner
alternates
6 Harvey
7 Koukal

COLIN'S PICKS
1 Kowalczk
2 Roponen
3 Nystad
4 Johaug
5 Kalla
Alt
6 Majdic
7 Follis

1 Cologna
2 Angerer
3 Vittoz
4 Hellner
5 Piller Cottrer
Alt
6 Legkov
7 Northug