The Nordic Commentary Project has been quiet for a looong time now, but with the World Cup opener at Gallivare now less than a day away, it's time to get back to the half-informed commentary, the half-sensible predictions, and the halved fandom (half for the U.S.A., half for Canada). I made these guesses for Saturday's distance skate races at the XC Predictions site:
But beyond those two races, I'm interested in at least these eleven storylines for the upcoming season:
- Will Northug and Bjorgen repeat their World Championships domination at Val di Fiemme in February? (My guess: no.)
- Can Kikkan Randall win the sprint championship again this season? (Yes!)
- Will Liz Stephen make the jump up to elite status this year? (Yes.)
- Will the men's overall World Cup be the usual two-horse race between Northug and Cologna? (Yes, unfortunately. Cologna will win again.)
- Can Northug win the Tour de Ski this year? (No, he'll be too focused on the Worlds.)
- Can Johaug win the Tour de Ski this year? (Yes. She's just some decent sprint results away from the title.)
- How much doping will we find out about this season? (Very little, but it'll be in the usual team.)
- How will Devon Kershaw do this year? (Just about as good as last year.)
- How will Alex Harvey do this year? (Really well - top five overall.)
- Will Kowalcyzk race her face off again this year? (Yes.)
- What can we expect from Lukas Bauer racing in the marathon Cup this year? (Dunno! He could be great, or it could be a waste of time.)