December 14, 2010 – Davos, A Skiers Paradise in so many ways and with the coming of more than 50cm of snow in the last two days before the weekend races, the quietness that pervades with the high snow banks, the trees all covered, the soft tracks…but oh so different than the bash and gash fest that took place the weekend before in Dusseldorf.

So many crashes individually, pile ups, near fights and broken gear, but nary a protest or relegation was to be had. You had to come to the peace and quiet in Davos before there was either a protest or relegation to be seen. Relegation – a new term for me – was used in the women’s final when Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) barged to her right on Kikkan Randall, who was sliding by Justyna with her sights set on Arianna Follis and the 2nd spot on the podium. Whoops says Kikkan, stops and  passes around the back of Kowalcyzk and heads for the finish line less than 100 meters away. Alas, no podium today, but literally moments after Randall had finished, the FIS Jury for the competition announced that Kowalcyzk had been relegated to 6th the last position in the heat. On TV it was obvious that Kowalcyzk had moved to the right and had come close to pushing Kikkan off the course.

I like this outcome, as justice is served for all parties. It is quick and keeps the crowd and skiers appraised of the situation. There could be a protest, but you’d be wasting your own $100 dollars, as this infraction was so obvious and blatant, you ain’t going to get your money back – let’s move on. Case closed!!

Here You Go, watch this weekends WC events in La Clusaz on your computer – click HERE. I can’t believe I am passing on this kind of computer info as I’m a total nerd when it comes to hi tech, This was cool. Click on “Others” if the event is not listed. You may not be able to get it in English – I watched the Davos Sprints in German.

The CCC Team is definitely not clicking on all cylinders like you had the feeling they would be after the Olympics and all the promises for what the next four years are going to look like. One skier and only one is on target and that’s Devon Kershaw. He had a small hiccup the first weekend in Gallivare, Sweden when he hadn’t tapered enough. He has been hot ever since and there are podiums coming. The other three guys are doing too many other things that don’t have a World Cup focus. This is the big leagues – that relay in Kuusamo was a stinker in strategy effort due to the lack of proper focus (summer and fall) and way below where this team should place. WC races are not for training, they are for results and the season started in Gallivare.

For the ladies team there is small light at the end of the tunnel internationally and at home, but more hard work is going to be necessary if we are going to be seeing you in Sochi.

The Sprint Course in Davos is a home run in my estimation and the FIS should consider requiring this format for any future courses and encourage locations with a one loop course to change to the two loop format if they so wish. I think this course was constructed with some forsight as it has everything – a real good climb, some technical turns, a good downhill a long flat section and is wide enough just about everywhere to pass. On top of that it is very spectator and television friendly and you get to see it twice!

The only thing I saw that I didn’t think was right, was that the start line was not canted enough – the left hand start lane was at a disadvantage.

Surprise of The Weekend for me was the new and young guys who qualified for the top 30 in the freestyle sprint; Simi Hamilton from the US and Len Valjas and Phil Widmer from Canada all showed they have the speed. The two Canadians moved up some places in the heats while Simi dropped back five places – still the most important thing for me is that they all looked very comfortable both in the qualifying and the heats. At 6’5″ it sure is easy to spot Len on the course – for that matter anywhere.

You Want to Beat Bjorgen then follow her lead and get in the weight room – click HERE. There is only way you can get this kind of strength and definition – lifting. Jan Helgerud (coach/scientist) worked with Bjorgen for a few years back in the early 2000s. Read Helgerud’s study HERE. Also, it very apparent that she is big into core training. These are not secrets – she just does them.

Another Relay Coming in La Clusaz this coming weekend and I hope when the Canadian team has it’s strategy meeting that they’re sure to nominate Devon Kershaw to be the lead-off skier. You have to hope that the other three boys will be ready to pick up the challenge of being up front and delivering better efforts then they did in Gallivare – 18th place does not befit this group.

Update on CCCTA travel episodes for Ivan Babikov in his travels back to compete in the Davos WC this past weekend he made it from Canada to Frankfurt no problem, but the flight from Franfurt to Zurich was cancelled due to a snow storm. Now to the trains and his late arrival in Davos minus his bags, so his training on Friday, the day before the race was on borrowed clothing and equipment. He had a credible race Saturday in the 15km classic with a 38th place – still at least 20 places back where we could expect him to be. I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt, as on a course like the one in Davos he would be expected to throw down a top 15. Here is some twitter/twatter from Ivan in Davos where he is training…”Nice and easy training days, here in Davos. Trying get my energy back.” I wonder what the problem is?

Where is Alex Harvey you may ask? He has been at home since Kuusamo races taking his school exams and will be making the trek back to La Clusaz just about the time that you are reading this – hope for no travel problems. Oh, did I mention that to travel back and forth  you lose two days of training each way – at least.

Chandra [Crawford] is now home and has three and a half weeks of training in front of her as she says on twitter. There is a mini-tour in Rossland this weekend – three races – with all the best North American skiers who are not in Europe knocking heads. Chandra needs training, but more importantly she needs training with racing. The more races she misses the farther behind the other international racers she gets.

Her big training period is over – spring, summer and fall. The Euro guys she’s trying to catch, are racing and training and she needs to do more of the same. All races, short and long, no compromises. Also, by being in Rossland she can lift the field and bring more attention to these races through the press. There’s the possibility that George Gray who lives in Rossland will also be back from Europe and will participate in these races.

CCC skiers are going and coming from Europe like it’s just around the corner. It’s a bummer of a trip both ways! Believe me, I’ve done it enough to know, first hand. Stay Tuned!

See you next week.