March 22, 2011 – Boring, really boring! That’s the only way I can say this “Grand Finale of the World Cup” in Falun was this past Sunday. My comment to my wife as we got ready to watch. was that both [Marit] Bjoergen and [Petter] Northug could skate backwards and still win these races. The time bonuses the skiers can win through out the four races have to be done away with and substituted with money–like $3,000-$2,000-$1,000 if you want to speed up the pace of the race and break up the field.

The two leaders, named above, were playing around with the other skiers when it comes to building an insurmountable lead – I can’t put it any other way – 1:14 for Bjoergen and 1:28 for Northug. I wonder if they had a bet between themselves to see who could be leading by the most time when they started Sunday. I’m sure there was some joking or laughing in the Norwegian wax cabin about all of this. I don’t see how there couldn’t be.

This is one time that FIS has borrowed an idea from the Tour de France and been bitten badly – back to the drawing board. On top of that, the two overall titles were already decided coming into these four races…another anti-climatic scenario that helped to blow out the weekend.

Also, via the grapevine, there were press people that didn’t realize there were actually two races in one being raced at the same time on the last day – the mini tour and the Handicap. Another pet peeve of mine when it comes to the FIS and the lack of information it pumps out as to how the format is working for a mini-series or some individual races during the season.

If you don’t agree with me, then you weren’t watching the Eurosport TV/computer broadcast, as the two announcers were panning both races and not mincing their comments.

Looking forward to see how this works for next year.

More about the “Grand Finale” as 42% of the 100 racers (50 top men and 50 top women) that qualified for this series were basically from two countries, Norway and Sweden. They won more then 61% of the medals, with Norway taking the majority of them. The Swedish women came up with a big fat goose egg for their lack of effort for the weekend and the Swedish men weren’t far behind with only two medals. The Norwegian Kings and Queens of the weekend were overweight (with hardware) heading home and no doubt will be checking their bank accounts first thing Monday morning.

Canadian Nationals, and the retiring George Grey, wins all but one medal – the sprint medal eluded George. I’m always amazed at the ability of this level of skier to be able find the mental focus and energy to continue to perform at the top when they know, and have already announced, that they’re retiring. A great way for you to go out George, congratulations to you.

A lot of big decisions being made right now by the NA skiers – to go home, or to head to Sun Valley [for the US Distance Nationals]. Remember your European friends are all headed for more competitions and many will race into the middle of April. One thing to mix into that decision is the chance to spread your points around to the other skiers who will be going to Sun Valley. Especially the younger ones, as you will help make their climb on the international circuit easier with better seeding points.

See you next time!
misterxc@aol.com