A place for the discussion of all things not closely related to the sport and its competitive side. (Locked down several times a year during the major championships)
Powell wrote:Yes, she is very fast for a biathlete, but it's not like she's miles ahead of the others. Tora Berger has generally been outrunning Goessner in recent races, I believe, and there are at least a couple of others at a comparable level, like Domracheva and Makarainen.
To put that in perspective, Berger saves time by shooting faster than everyone else, and when looking at the overall time, that can make her seem even faster at skiing than she already is. Domracheva didn't have a good season until recently, but in top shape she's close to Goessner.
LopenUupunut wrote:Germany might have an outside chance. They have a decent team and have often overperformed in championship relays, plus Gössner will likely be extra-hungry after missing out on a medal by 0.5...
Yeah, Goessner gotta be fired up after just missing the medal. She's gonna anchor, and if they are still close at that time, they have a good chance to medal.
Powell wrote: and the US looks like possible contenders as well (it would be their first medal ever).
They seem to really focus on the relays at these world champs, and that worked out well the first time. If they are still close halfway through the race, they should have a pretty good chance.
LopenUupunut wrote:You're right, of course, that Gössner isn't miles ahead of other biathletes (though she seemed to be in Oberhof and Pokljuka). I'm surprised how handily she beat Mäkäräinen - but I'd put that down to Mäkäräinen having a bad day, as opposed to Gössner having an exceptionally good one.
Guess one possible explanation is that the course was more difficult than the average biathlon world cup course, and Goessner is particularly good at going uphill.
The course might well have played a role, and not only that way.
Mäkäräinen often goes out fast in biathlon - every time I see her first splits I think she's gone out too fast but mostly she manages to get away with it. (It's probably partly illusory anyhow - she's supposed to be among the leaders in the early splits, after all.) Here, though, she did fade badly towards the end... I think she wasn't properly adjusted to skiing on a more punishing course and went out too fast as a result.
Which is unfortunate, since she completely avoided that trap at our National Champs (where she beat Roponen and Sarasoja-Lilja); there, it was Roponen who took the early lead and faded towards the end. The exact opposite happened here.
j-a-m wrote:To put that in perspective, Berger saves time by shooting faster than everyone else, and when looking at the overall time, that can make her seem even faster at skiing than she already is. Domracheva didn't have a good season until recently, but in top shape she's close to Goessner.
Fast shooting certainly helps, but even when you look at pure running time, (deducting the time at the range) at the WC she was running faster than Goessner in all races except the mass start, I believe.
Powell wrote:So what are your predictions for the relay today? Norway is obviously out of everyone's reach, but what about the minor medals? Finland and Sweden are obvious candidates, but Russia is starting to get their act together before the Olympics, and the US looks like possible contenders as well (it would be their first medal ever).
I'm not convinced by Finland. We look good on paper, but I'm sure we'll manage to screw up somehow We have a weaker anchor than any other top contenders, which doesn't help.
Ski Jump Big Hill went today. Kamil Stoch of Poland took it, longest jump 131.5 m. Former Polish great, Adam Malysz has the hill record with 136m. Stoch has been around and can win these things. Top favorite Schlierenzauer of Austria finished 8th. Silver and bronze to Peter Prevc of Slovenia and Anders Jacobsen of Norway.
Slovenia is a country who is rapidly advancing in winter sports and also in other sports.
pakillo wrote:Heard something about going back to 30km/50km interval start in Falun 2015, I hope!
That would be great!
Though to be fair, today's race wasn't boring
Yep, logical tactic if one doesn't want sprint finish against Northug
I can't remember when was the last time Italy won zero medals at Worlds and pretty poor performance from Finland (though women could have done much better in the relay with a little bit different team...)
Only one silver for Justyna Kowalczyk, that's certainly a major disappointment But the Polish jumpers partly made up for it. First Stoch's gold, then the first ever medal for Poland in the team event (although they originally finished fourth, before it was announced that Norway's score was miscalculated - very bizarre!)
We have a weaker anchor than any other top contenders, which doesn't help.
But the Polish jumpers partly made up for it. First Stoch's gold, then the first ever medal for Poland in the team event (although they originally finished fourth, before it was announced that Norway's score was miscalculated - very bizarre!)