Andreas Bennert On His One Way Past, 4KAAD Future & Everything In Between

Andreas Bennert On His One Way Past, 4KAAD Future & Everything In Between

Gear News, Leaders, Newsfeed
The great sport of cross country skiing is suffering from the lack of personalization. No, the names of great athletes are known & are being talked about. But who are the people who make it all happen, who run the show? Industrialists and equipment designers, coaches and doctors, waxers and competition officials? Very little info is available and interviews with them are even rarer - we dare you to prove the opposite. On our part, we strongly argue that in this century everything is personal and reflects beliefs and ideas of specific people. And yes, it needs to be a public knowledge. Right, Elon Musk? ... Today we introduce the man who for ( almost) 15 years often went against the grain, the man who's impact on the winter sports…
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Rain, Rain, Go Away! Go Away From Lillehammer!

Rain, Rain, Go Away! Go Away From Lillehammer!

Leaders, Newsfeed
It's plus 5 Celsius in Lillehammer today , with steady rain. Same as a prevailing weather in Finland and Scandinavia throughout the whole month of November. [caption id="attachment_9514" align="aligncenter" width="1468"] Sprint qualification was a battle against elements for both skiers and their servicemen [/caption] "Something is got to be done about that " is a popular ( not unanimous, however) feeling among athletes, coaches and equipment producers. Nobody, however, is prepared to go on record with their ideas as to what specifically suggested ( and we heard some interesting ones, trust us!) [caption id="attachment_9510" align="aligncenter" width="1470"] waterskiing session ?[/caption] The irony is, both North America and Siberia currently go through a moderate cold spell, with plenty of snow and sub-zero temperatures. Most skiers would like to have the World Cup…
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Elite Skier Says Goodbye To National Team At 24 – What Gives?

Elite Skier Says Goodbye To National Team At 24 – What Gives?

Money & Finance, Newsfeed
Money and cross country skiing. Or, rather, money IN cross-country skiing. International competitions are between countries – and countries tend to be richer or poorer. Or, for one reason or another, unwilling to invest into elite sport. Perhaps, nowhere it feels more acute than in cross-country skiing. The Norwegians dominate the sport not only because they have a never-ending stream of talents, but also because they are willing to spend what it takes to win. As in training camps, equipment ( not skis – in million euros worth wax trucks), salaries of coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, technicians etc. etc. The Russians have started to catch up lately. It is tempting to invoke doping scandals of the past but those in the know point out that the Russians have invested heavily in…
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Alexander Bolshunov, In Photos

Alexander Bolshunov, In Photos

Leaders, Newsfeed
...in sprint finale at the first stage of the FIS World Cup in Ruka Alexander Bolshunov has shown to the whole skiing world that grit pays off. When Johannes Klaebo, thinking he has un assailable lead, has slowed down to look around, Bolshunov kept on working - and won. The first race of the season has proven that the commentators have been all correct so far: two 22 year olds ( Bolshunov is still , technically 21) , the Norwegian and the Russian, are in the league of their own and will dominate the upcoming season. The Daily Skier has followed Bolshunov through his summer and autumn training camps - and here are our observations, illustrated: [caption id="attachment_9473" align="aligncenter" width="1920"] defining quality of Bolshunov: whatever he runs, he absolutely runs…
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Introducing Star About To Rise

Introducing Star About To Rise

Leaders, Newsfeed
Making predictions is a dangerous business - but somebody got to do it. Meet Ivan Yakimushkin - who will become one of the biggest new stars in the upcoming season - or so we think after watching him compete in early races in Finland. a 22 year old Russian is 82 kg, 181cm. Can do 37 chin-ups. And win on ski tracks competing against some of the world’s best. The FIS race in Muonio might be a bit of a home affair for the Russian team ( mixed with strong Germans and French, to be fair) , but a 22 year old rather convincingly beat several Olympic and world medalists on 15k C. establishing himself as one of the main challengers, wild cards of the upcoming season. [caption id="attachment_9381" align="aligncenter"…
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