09Mar 2020 by DS News Team
Oberwiesenthal JWC – Wrap

Oberwiesenthal JWC – Wrap

Leaders, Newsfeed
...Financial markets are falling, coronavirus continues its spread - oh, and the winter was an utter piss-poor affair in most of the key markets. But life goes on, there is a hope that one day humanity will go back en masse to the most noble of winter sports, that of cross country skiing. When it happens, young ladies & gentlemen who now compete in Juniors shall become talk of the town. With that in mind, let's take a look at the just finished World Juniors & U23 championships in Oberwiesenthal. Good: Winners' pallet is possibly the most diverse ever. There are used to be surprising champions because the level of competition was similar to mom&pop affair on church weekend with participants having to wax their own skis - situation favoring…
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08Mar 2020 by DS News Team
Bolshunov’s Not-Too-Secret Stimulant

Bolshunov’s Not-Too-Secret Stimulant

Newsfeed, Trivia
Why is everyone so keen on talking about winner's training plans, ski choices or waxing, leaving aside, perhaps, the most important and,certainly, the most exciting factor there is to talk about? The " relationship factor". No study indicates definitively to what extent is it important for a world-class athlete to have a steady partner. "It surely helps" - the gist of we could find on Internet. Well, we want sport scientists, coaches and officials to consider this: Alexander Bolshunov is one of the two top Russian skiers to enjoy a steady relationship with a training group partner, Anna Zherebyateva. The other power couple are Sergei Ustiugov/Elena Sovoleva-Ustiugova. There are other "establish unions" in the Russian squad, but they are not in the same training group which means they only get…
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06Mar 2020 by DS News Team
Shorten Holmenkollen? We Asked Erik Valnes What He Thinks

Shorten Holmenkollen? We Asked Erik Valnes What He Thinks

Newsfeed
"Totally disagree (with those who want to shorten it) ? The 50k in Holmenkollen has too much history, can't change it. It is the definition of cross country skiing! ...Yes, I am doing the 50k. It's my first chance in Kollen, and it's the biggest race for a Norwegian! Can't say no to that. Hope to recover before the Sprint Tour in North America ?" Valnes, 23, is currently second in the World Cup Sprint rankings, behind only Johannes Klaebo
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05Mar 2020 by DS News Team
Klaebo vs Holmenkollen

Klaebo vs Holmenkollen

Leaders, Newsfeed
World's most decorated and, arguably, most popular skier has come out in support of changing the format of the Holmenkollen race. VG reports that Johannes has expressed concern about dwindling numbers of competitors - France, for instance, lists none - and the toll a brutal 50k race takes on all participants, affecting their chances in overall World Cup fight. Conversely, it would be Klaebo's arch-rival Alexander Bolshunov who completely disagrees. After all, it was him who won it in style last year https://www.vg.no/sport/i/BR1jL0/sprinttrener-monsen-dropp-femmila-i-holmenkollen
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