Torin Koos (USST) Rossignol in action... ©Lance/Danny Parrish file photo
Fabulous result guys – describe the scene in Dusseldorf.
Torin Koos: Dusseldorf’s known as perhaps the most popular race venue on the circuit, with an estimated 200,000 people checking out the cross-country racing scene along the River Rhine. It’s pretty cool because Dusseldorf’s hours and hours away from the Alps or any of the traditional Central European ski destinations and the people still get rowdy and are really into taking in the World Cup scene for eight years and counting.
What were snow/weather conditions like?
TK: It seems like it’s always warm and raining. On Sunday, it was +11C. Right before our semi it started raining real hard. I pretty much knew this would slow down the track and make qualifying not a very realistic possibility. It came down to a three-way lunge with Norway I and Germany I, but we made it into the finals.
What was your race strategy coming into the race and how did it play out?
TK: Dusseldorf’s known for its carnage. It’s a tight course, lots of turns and fast. I wanted to race from the front, avoid crashes, broken poles and the like. Andy went down with Ola V. Hattestad in the semis, but we were able to ski our way back into the mix. For this event at least a few choice pleasantries in various languages could be heard out on the course. During the final, I used up too much energy choosing the wrong lines and fighting too much during my second leg. I could have used this energy on the third leg to be at the front of the train instead of running fifth or sixth. This is my only regret from the day.
How much/did the wax choices change at all during the laps?
TK: I’m not sure. I don’t think too much. Because it’s so warm and we’re racing in a city you have to keep the skis clean, though. That’s why the service techs were working like mad in the middle of the races. They were rewaxing our skis multiple times in a single race.
You were 4th in the Team Sprint last year at Dusseldorf – what was different this year?
TK: Both efforts were solid. Getting on the podium is the goal and it looks like we’re not very far off this. For me personally, my fitness is quite good. I’m not quite in racing shape, yet. Finding peak form at the perfect time will help in this regard.
You’re podium contenders – what will it take to get there?
TK: Being a little stronger and a little faster. I feel we have the capacity to ski with the world’s best for all six rounds, both in the semis and the finals.
What’s next on the agenda?
TK: A quick recovery, then get into the groove in Davos, Switzerland. I’ll be racing again Sunday.
All the best at Davos and the rest of the season.
TK: Thanks.