Saturday, March 21, 2009

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

5 comments:

ADS said...

Women
1. Justyna Kowalczyk
2. Pirjo Muranen
3. Riita-Liisa Roponen
4. Charlotte Kalla
5. Therese Johaug

Alt:
6. Arianna Follis
7. Anna Olsson

Men
1. Tobi Angerer
2. Dario Cologna
3. Vincent Vittoz
4. Petter Northug
5. Alex Harvey

Alt:
6. Alexander Legkov
7. Pietro Piller-Cottrer

Kieran said...

I see the Harvey bandwagon has officially been hopped.
Women 10km
1. Kowalczyk
2.Roponen
3.Johaug
4.Nystad
5.Medvedeva
Alt
Majdic
Muranen

Men 15km
1.Cologna
2.Angerer
3.Hellner
4.Piller Cottrer
5.Legkov
Alt
Vittoz
Harvey

Christopher Tassava said...

Thanks, Canadians.

Re. Harvey: I went to the ticket counter today to buy a ticket for the bandwagon, one-way to Vancouver 2010. The fare was higher than it would have been two weeks ago, but I'll bet a lot cheaper than it'll be next January.

ADS said...

It the bangwagon justified if you pick him exactely as he placed?:)

Anonymous said...

I think "bangwagon" is hardly an appropriate term as it insinuates a fad. I think realizing Harvey's potential is more appropriate...