Alpine Skiing & Biathlon 2023/24 Season

Women’s Giant Slalom – Sölden: 28 Oct 23. Well, first a bit of rather surprising news – Lucas Braathen has had enough; very disenchanted with the Norwegian authorities and he’s announced his retirement! I missed run 1 of the Women’s GS – Federica Brignone was fastest, ahead of Sara Hector [+0.50] with Petra Vlhova 3rd, +0.63 – then Lara Gut-Behrami [+0.73], Mikaela Shiffrin [+0.75] and Franzi Gritsch [+1.19].
Run 2: Clara Direz [FRA] the first away, amazingly the only French skier in this competition today. Melanie Meillard [SUI] is fractionally faster; Paula Moltzan [USA] better still. Zrinka Ljutic [CRO] into 2nd despite a small stumble out of the start; with 10 away Moltzan still leads, ahead of Ljutic and Meillard, and the ruts are starting to form. Sofia Goggia [ITA] had to pull up on run 1 as there was a marshal on the track, and walked back up to re-start – she’s into 3rd place despite that extra effort. Maryna Gasienica-Daniel [POL] is away just before the half way break – she’s into 2nd; Paula Moltzan has now made up 12 places! Stephanie Brunner [AUT] first away after the break – it’s certainly getting rough but she’s into joint 3rd with Ljutic; Ana Bucik next and she has more than 0.80 in hand – it’s slipping away but she’s into a tie for first place with Moltzan. Alice Robinson [NZL] has made a great start – building on her advantage to get to 0.50 ahead at inter 2; she takes the lead by 0.19! It seems the FIS have banned fluoride in the preparation of the ski base – that caught out Ragnhild Mowinckel who has been DQd; I suspect it will be a tricky time for the tech teams as they try to check everything to make sure there is no contamination. Mina Fuerst Holtmann [NOR] has had a great final section and she leads by an impressive 0.48 – some good news for the team. Valerie Grenier [CAN] has built on her advantage to inter 3, and she takes the lead by 0.55 – impressive stuff! Marta Bassino has gained a lot from inter 2 to 3; she’s lost a bit later but that was enough to take the lead by 0.26! Franzi Gritsch into 5th; Mikaela Shiffrin next and she’s lost a little to inter 2 – just red by 3 and she’s into 2nd, +0.21 after a fast final sector. Lara Gut-Behrami has 0.52 in hand as she starts – she’s 0,81 ahead at inter 2, very fast through the speed gun and she leads by a massive 1.19 – what a phenomenal final sector! Petra Vlhova just red at inter 1 and into 2nd, +0.14; Shiffrin off the podium. Sara Hector also red at inter 1 and she’s losing a lot of time – into 3rd but +1.10. just Federica Brignone to come – 0.73 in hand as she starts; till green at 2 but she’s lost time and it’s just red at 3 – she’s over the line in 2nd, just 0.02 off the pace. What a race! Lara Gut-Behrami [SUI] takes the opening race of the season, ahead of Federica Brignone [ITA] and Petra Vlhova [SVK]. Hector in 4th ahead of Bassino and Shiffrin.
Sadly on the Sunday the weather won and the Men’s GS was cancelled.

11/12 Nov 23 – Zermatt & Levi: Well, first the bad news – as Downhill training in Zermatt was cancelled due to the weather, so was the scheduled race on 11 Nov. However the Women’s slalom in Levi on 11 Nov is going ahead – I missed run 1, which was won by Petra Vlhova, ahead of Lena Dürr [+0.18] and Mikaela Schiffrin [+0.42], then Liensberger, Huber and Hector. Surprised to see Anna Swenn Larsson in 27th!
Run 2 – Slalom: Not a good start – Hanna Aronsson Elfman recorded as a DNF after a straddle! This is apparently a trickier set than run 1; it was set by Shiffrin’s coach!? Martina Peterlini [ITA] has got down safely, and she’s just faster than Anna Swenn Larsson [SWE], who was the next on the course! Lara Colturi [ALB] into 3rd; that top 3 are holding on – 10th away is Leona Popovic [CRO] and she’s green all the way – she takes over the lead by 0.67! Next away is Ali Nullmeyer [CAN], who has gained all the way to inter 3 – she’s lost a little from there but she leads by 0.33. Emma Aicher [GER] out after a straddle; Wendy Holdener [SUI] into 3rd. That’s 15 away – Nullmeyer leads from Popovic and Holdener. The course between inter 2 and 3, over the roller, is a great place to lose time! Martina Dubovska [CZE] into 4th; Paula Moltzan [USA] goes 5th. Twenty away, no recent changes to the top 3 – Nullmeyer leads from Popovic and Holdener. Just as I write that Melanie Meillard [SUI] goes into 2nd, by just 0.02! Another TV break – just 8 to come. Zrinka Ljutic [CRO] had 0.68 in hand as she started but it’s slipping away – into 3rd, +0.20. Maria Therese Tviberg has lost even more time – into 5th; that’s 13 places that Nullmeyer has gained. Sara Hector [SWE] still green at inter 3 and she’s kept it that way – she leads by 0.37! Katharina Huber [AUT] into 4th; she’s the third Austrian Katharina to ski this second run, and Liensberger is the fourth, going next – she’s gained from inter 1 to 2 and is 0.96 green at inter 3 – Katharina Liensberger leads by 1.05 and that was a great run! Mikaela Shiffrin next with 0.60 in hand; lost a bit to inter 1, has it back by 2, just into the red at 3and she’s into 2nd, +0.15. No reindeer today! Lena Dürr [GER] on course – she’s lost a little to inter 2, dead level at 3 and now she leads by 0.14 – good final section. Just Petra Vlhova [SVK] to come – she’s gained to inter 1, and more still to 2; a massive lead of 1.30 at inter 3 – she takes the win by a very dominant 1.41 having started just 0.18 ahead! What a run – hugely impressive – that will be reindeer number 6! So, Vlhova takes the win ahead of Dürr and Liensberger; Shiffrin in 4th, then Hector and Nullmeyer.

12 Nov 23: Sadly the weather has caused the second Downhill in Zermatt to be cancelled as well! Due to being distracted by a back problem I missed run 1 of the Women’s Slalom from Levi as well – Petra Vlhova again the winner there with Shiffrin a fairly remote second ahead of Hector. I joined run 2 of the slalom with 10 away – Martina Peterlini [ITA] leading from Marie-Therese Sporer [AUT] and Estelle Alphand [SWE] – Peterlini has so far gained 8 places! Ana Bucik [SLO] into 3rd, although one graphic has her as 6th; Thea Louise Stjernesund {NOR] still green at inter 2 but it’s the course from there that seems to be causing problems – she’s only 9th. Here' a new name to me – Bianca Bakke Westhoff [NOR]; apparently she used to race for Netherlands but is now in the Norwegian team [Norwegian father] – good run too as she’s into 3rd! That’s half way – Peterlini leads from Sporer and Westhoff; that’s 12 places that Peterlini has gained on run 2. Katharina Huber [AUT] has gained time from inter 1 to 2 and still green at 3 – she takes the lead by 0.09! Chiara Pogneaux [FRA] into joint 3rd with Sporer; Katharina Liensberger [AUT] in touch – red at 2, but green again at 3 and she’s actually managed to gain time from there to lead by 0.53 – a great final sector! Zrinka Ljutic [CRO] still green at inter 3 and she’s into 2nd by just 0.04; Martina Dubovska [CZE] has gained to inter 2 but it’s gone wrong to 3 and she’s only 8th. Laurence St-Germain [CAN] going well to inter 2, lost a bit to 3 and briefly lost a pole, but still green and she leads by just 0.09. Final TV break – St-Germain leads from Liensberger and Ljutic. That was a good run from Mina Fuerst Holtmann [NOR] – nicely green at inter 3 and she takes the lead by 0.09 – all very close! Wendy Holdener [SUI] just red at 3and she’s into joint 3rd with Liensberger, good run; Ali Nullmeyer was 6th yesterday but she’s red by inter 2 – a good final sector though and she’s pulled back time – into 2nd by just one one hundredth! At present it’s Norway, Canada and Canada. Leona Popovic [CRO] has gained a good lot of time to inter 3 and she’s still gaining – forget the hundredths, she leads by a massive 1.05 – brilliant! Lena Dürr [GER] red at 2 and 3 but still in touch - - she goes 2nd, +0.12, that’s another good result; Sara Hector [SWE] also just red at 2 and losing a little from there – into 3rd by 0.48. Just 2 to go; Mikaela Shiffrin [USA] on course with 0.43 in hand – just 0.28 left at 2, 0.06 at 3 but a better final sector gets her the lead by 0.18. Petra Vlhova [SVK]away in search of yet another reindeer – 0.76 in had as she starts; she’s got that to 1.06 ahead by inter 2 – there’s a huge shock, she’s straddled so Shiffrin gets the reindeer – that’s her 7th win here. So, Mikaela Shiffrin gets her 89th World Cup win, ahead of Leona Popovic and Lena Dürr. Hector in 4th, ahead of Holtmann and Nullmeyer. Amazingly that’s apparently only the 2nd time that Vlhova has had a DNF when leading after run 1?

18/19 Nov 23 – Gurgl [Men] & Zermatt-Cervinia [Women]: Saturday first and the Men are racing Slalom on the Kirchenkar slope at Gurgl, while the Women are racing Downhill on the Gran Becca at Zermatt-Cervinia! I see Lara Gut-Behrami is there, but not Shiffrin or Vlhova, although I see the start of the Downhill has been postponed, which isn’t good news! Even worse – the listing seems to have vanished from the FIS web page – not looking good? Yes, it's confirmed “Due to the strong wind and the unfavourable forecast for the day today women’s downhill has been cancelled” Zermatt 3 – skiing 0! Oh well, at least the Slalom looks to be happening.
Slalom – Run 1 18 Nov: Sunny, very little wind and minus 9, and it’s a new slope! Dave Ryding goes at number 11, Billy Major 33 and Laurie Taylor 47. Right – race on and first away is Linus Strasser [GER]; a slightly ragged start, but more settled later and he’s safely down. Ramon Zenhaeusern [SUI] next and he’s 1.06 faster at inter 1; that advantage is slipping away though – just 0.18 at inter 3 and he leads but by just 0.27. Manu Feller [AUT] on course and he’s gained time from 1 to 2, a massive 1.20 ahead at 3 and he leads by 1.40 – I think it’s fair to say he’s happy with that! Clement Noel [FRA] can’t match that – into 2nd, +0.94; now, what can Henrik Kristoffersen [NOR] do – he’s off the pace today and just 4th, +1.54. Daniel Yule [SUI] into 5th, +1.63; Loic Meillard [SUI] a bit more in touch and into 3rd, +1.10. Fabio Gstrein [AUT] is using his local knowledge to get into 3rd, +0.99; now 10 away – Feller leads ahead of Noel and Gstrein, then Meillard, Zenhaeusern and Timon Haugan [NOR]. Dave Ryding [GBR] just green at inter 1, but red the rest of the way – just 10th, +1.71. On the plus side – fastest so far in sector 1. Marco Schwarz [AUT] is aiming to do all the races this year – he’s into 5th; he’s not lonely there though as Alexander Steen Olsen [NOR] has gone joint 5th. That’s 15 away, first TV break – Feller, Noel and Gstrein remain the top 3. AJ Ginnis [GRE] has the dubious distinction of the first DNF today after a straddle. Not bad from Marc Rochat [SUI] – into 8th; even better, Kristoffer Jakobsen [SWE, bib 20] into 7th. Kristoffersen currently 11th, Ryding 15th with 22 away. That’s quite a rut that is starting to build up. Billy Major {GBR] into 23rd, +2.89 with 33 away; Laurie Taylor [GBR] also safely down and currently 27th – a chance for run 2 but with more than 20 still to come.
Run 2 – well the good news is that all 3 GBR skiers get a 2nd run, with Laurie Taylor 3rd to go. This course set, by an Italian coach, looks a bit trickier! Tanguy Nef [SUI] the early leader; Laurie Taylor faster to inter 3 but then he straddles – DNF and sadly no points. Luca Aerni [SUI] into joint 1st; Juan del Campo [ESP] into 3rd. Billy Major also fast to inter 2, lost a bit to 3 but he’s safely down and into the lead by 0.44; best time on run 2 so far. Sadly Tobias Kastlunger [ITA] is next and 0.08 faster; Dominik Raschner [AUT] into 3rd. Well, Major is gaining places, including such names as Seb Foss-Solevaag and Alex Vinatzer! Filip Zubcic [CRO] into 2nd by just 0.01; Michael Matt [AUT] is the last to go before the half way point – he starts with 0.95 in hand and finishes with 0.94 left to take the lead – fastest in the final 2 sectors as well. So, Matt leads from Kastlunger and Zubcic; 15 to go. TV break over and Dave Ryding is next to go with 0.21 in hand – he’s gained to inter 2 but is losing time from there – he's into 2nd, by just 0.01! Seb Holtzmann [GER] into 5th; Linus Strasser has gained a little to inter 2 but he’s red at 3 and into 3rd, +0.51. Daniel Yule has also gained to inter 2 but he’s lost time to 3 – he’s now into 3rd, +0.03 – all very close and Ryding holds on to 2nd. Now, Henrik Kristoffersen has 0.38 in hand as he starts; he’s gained to inter 1 but he’s lost time to 2 and that’s just 4th, +0.15! Ten to go, Matt leads from Ryding and Yule! Timon Haugan has a very similar setup to Kristoffersen, and he too has lost time between inter 1 and 2 to go 4th, ahead of his fellow Norwegian! Marc Rochat the last before the second TV break but he’s well off the pace and into 13th! Matt has gained 8 places, Ryding 5 – 8 to go! Break over and it’s Ramon Zenhaeusern on course – he’s losing time from the off and that’s not his best – he’s 16th!! Kristofer Jakobsen was nicely green at inter 2 but it’s all gone wrong from there and he’s just 8th after a big error – one of the Swedish coaches is punching his smart phone! Marco Schwarz gained to inter 1 and he’s going well – he takes over the lead by an impressive 0.82! There’s a delay while some “activists” are disrupting the finish area – Henrik Kristoffersen would obviously like to take some direct action! Alexander Steen Olsen seems to have been affected by the delay – he’s 2.07 off the pace. An early straddle by Loic Meillard and he’s out; Fabio Gstrein also not in touch after the disruption and he’s into 7th; Clement Noel also suffering from the state of the piste and he’s just 11th -= Dave Ryding still holding on to 3rd! Just Manu Feller to go – with 1.16v in hand – he’s still got 0.78 at inter 2 but the light conditions aren’t good – still green at 3 and he takes the lead by just 0.23! Lovely to see him take that win after the changing conditions and the delay! It’s a clean sweep for the Austrians – Feller wins ahead of Marco Schwarz and Michel Matt. Great effort by Dave Ryding to end up 4th, having gained 11 places, ahead of Daniel Yule and Timon Haugan. Billy Major ended up 16th, having gained 8 places on run 2. No Men’s race planned for Sunday.

Sunday – well the cancellations at Zermatt continue – no Women’s race today, again due to strong winds and a poor forecast!

Östersund – Mixed Relays – 25 Nov 23: The start of a new season, with several new names mixed in with the old guard! This year the rules have changed so that in a Mixed Relay all team members ski the standard 2Km loop 3 times; there is also a fluor ban in the preparation of the skis, which will involve considerable testing, both before and after each race. Today’s races start with the Single Mixed Relay – it’s minus 11; Patrick has a new commentary partner – Ian Woods? Men going first today - Sturla Holm Laegreid going for Norway; Seb Samuelsson for Sweden and he’s paired with Hannah Öberg. Race on – at 1.1 Km it’s Laegreid just ahead of Niklas Hartweg [SUI] and Lukas Hofer [AUT], then Fabien Claude [FRA], Samuelsson and Simon Eder [AUT]. First shoot of the season – Simon Eder leads out, ahead of Strelow [GER], Harjula [FIN], Tyshchenko [UKR] Doherty [USA] and Rastorgujevs [LAT, +6.7] – all clear. Laegreid also clear and 7th, +6.8 but back up to 3rd by 2.6 Km. Already in for the standing shoot – and from here it’s straight to the exchange – Eder clear and out ahead of Strelow, Tyschenko, Jakob Fak [SLO], Harjula and Laegreid, who used 1 spare. So, first exchange – AUT/GER/UKR. Poor shooting by Samuelsson, 4 spares in this leg – Sweden are 17th at the exchange +35.4. Lisa Theresa Hauser leading early on ahead of Kebinger [GER] and Arnekliev [NOR]. At the prone shoot it’s Julia Simon who leads out ahead of Baserga [SUI], Minkkinen [FIN] and Merkushyna [UKR]; Hannah Öberg clear and up to 10th. Hauser and Kebinger have both used all 3 spares. This is a short race – Julia Simon in for her standing shoot – 1st shot missed and 1 more but she’s still out first ahead of Arnekliev with Hannah Ö clear again and up to 3rd. At the exchange it’s FRA/NOR/SWE/SUI/GER/FIN & UKR tied. Men on their second 2Km loop – Claude leads in for S5, ahead of Laegreid and Samuelsson – Seb Samuelsson clear this time and he leads out ahead of Niklas Hartweg – Laegreid 3rd after 1 spare but Claude was on the penalty loop and out 29.3 behind in 9th. Seb in for S6, with a good gap - he’s clear again; Hartweg has 3 misses but Laegreid is clear this time and also away. At exchange 3 it’s SWE/NOR/GER/UKR/SUI/AUT. Fabien Claude has done another loop so France are 10th at the exchange; Hartweg also on the penalty loop after S6. Hannah Ö is pulling away a little – she’s at S7 and she’s missed number 5 – 2 spares to recover but Juni Arnekliev is clear and out just 1.0 behind with Hanna Kebinger 3rd, but +27.9 after 1 spare. Arnekliev is staying with Öberg on the lap but Kebinger is losing time as are the chasing group. In for S8 – quite a few spares from the leading pair – 2 each and out with the Norwegian 6.8 behind! Julia Simon out 3rd, just ahead of Kebinger. And now it’s a race to the finish – at 13.1 Km Öberg is 13.2 ahead of Arnekliev; Simon holding 3rd, with Polona Klemencic [SLO] past Kebinger with Hauser in 6th. That’s it – Sweden takes the win despite Samuelsson’s poor first leg, Norway in 2nd ahead of France, who are on the podium despite Claude’s shooting!! Slovenia up into 4th, then Austria and Switzerland. Germany slipped to 7th.

Mixed Relay – 25 Nov 23: Missed the start – thought I had time for a walk but it was such a nice day that I went further! I joined at about Exchange 1 with Tarjei Bø just leading from SUI/FRA/GER/CZE/ITA. On to leg 2 – Johannes Bø leading; there’s a surprise! In for S3 – JoBø has missed 2; Emilien Jacquelin [FRA] has used 1 spare which he didn’t really need, against JoBø’s 2 – out pretty much together; Philipp Nawrath [GER] in 3rd, +4.1 then Mikulas Karlik [CZE], Tommaso Giacomel [ITA] and Jeremy Finello [SUI]. In for S4 – that’s odd – JoBø has used no spares but the graphic showed 1 target missed? Anyway Nawrath out 2nd, ahead of Giacomel [1 penalty loop], Karlik, Jacquelin [1 penalty loop] and Martin Ponsiluoma [SWE]. Exchange 2 and Karoline Offigstad Knotten will take over from JoBø – she has 17.9 seconds in hand, ahead of Sophia Schneider [GER]. Then Doro Wierer [ITA] +46.4 ahead of CZE/FRA/SWE. At 12.8 Km Knotten is 24.5 ahead of Schneider; Justine Braisaz-Bouchet [FRA] has got up to 3rd, ahead of Marketa Davidova [CZE], Doro Wierer and Anna Magnusson [SWE, +1:08.0]. Knotten in for S5 – she’s clear and away; Schneider also clear and out +34.2 ahead of Doro who was also clear, +47.7 and just ahead of Justine B-B who also cleared all 5. On the lap Justine B-B and Davidova are closing the gap a little and are past Doro. Right – S6, Knotten has missed 2, one rather unlucky. All 3 spares used but she’s out – however Justine B-B has cleared all 5 and is out +7.3; Schneider [1 spare, +24.4] then Doro [1 spare, +28.8], Davidova [2] and Magnusson [1, and +1:13.3]. Exchange 3 and Justine B-B has got past Knotten; France ahead by 8.6! Norway in 2nd, then German +30.0 ahead of CZE/ITA/SWE, but Magnusson has lost a bit more so is 1:38.8 behind – that’s a lot for Elvira Öberg to try to pull back! At 18.8 Km Lou Jeanmonnot [FRA] is just 4.4 ahead of Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold [NOR] with Vanessa Voight [GER] +34.5 and only fractionally ahead of Jessica Jislova [CZE] and Lisa Vittozzi. I’m not a fan of the fact that this season all races except World Championships count for the World Cup points! Anyway – S7 – Jeanmonnot clear and out, but Tandrevold is also clear and +2.9. Jislova clear and out 3rd, ahead of Vittozzi [1] and Voight [1]. Elvira has also missed 1 and is 1:48.2 back in 6th. All very close on the lap where Tandrevold is just ahead as they head for the final shoot – commentary team reckon Jeanmonnot looks more relaxed – they may be right as she’s 5/5 and away; Tandrevold uses 1 spare and out +13.3. Vittozzi is also clear and out +28.6, nicely ahead of Jislova [1, +49.9] and Voight [1, +59.4]. Elvira has used 2 more spares and is now over 2 minutes back – she has a 15 Km race tomorrow so I suspect she eased off a while back? So, Lou Jeanmonnot crosses the line to give France [1+5] the win, ahead of Norway [0+7], Italy [1+9], Germany [0+8] and Czechia [0+9]. Again, two of the podium nations did a penalty loop! Odd to see Sweden so far back given [0+9] – ski snags, but they were fast in the Single?? Nice start to the season.

Östersund – Individuals – 26 Nov 23: First race today is the Women’s 15 Km Individual – we saw yesterday that Hanna Öberg looked in good form; hard to tell about Elvira as I think she had eased back? Justine B-B will be first away this morning, followed by Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold [now ILT, for ease]. Justine B-B still fastest at 1.5 Km, with some quite big gaps there already – she’s at S1 now , clear and away! Good by ILT too, clear and out +7.8; Vanessa Voight and Aita Gasparin both also clear; remember that for the Individual there are no penalty loops – just a full minute added for each target missed! Oh dear, Anna Magnusson has missed 2 at S1 – audible groans from the home crowd! Lisa Vittozzi clear at S1 and just +6.5; that was quite a slow shoot by Doro Wierer’s standards but she too is clear at S1. At 4.5 Km Justine B-B is opening some bigger gaps, but it’s early on the race. Justine B-B at S2 and she’s missed 2, as has Tandrevold – maybe they didn’t have the pacing right? Back at S1 Marketa Davidova is clear and just 3.3 behind the best time; Voight has gone 10/10 – the first to do so, so far. Julia Simon is clear at S1 – fast shooting and +4.6; Tamara Steiner [AUT] also 10/10 but quite slow on the tracks. Hanna Öberg clear at S1 too and +3.6, so she is going well! Vittozzi is 10/10 and 25.5 faster than Voight! Elvira Öberg at S1 but she’s missed 1; Doro Wierer has gone 10/10 but she’s 23.2 slower than Vittozzi. That’s a pity – Davidova has missed 2 at S2; Voight now 15/15 – solid shooting! Julia Simon at S2 – that was very quick and she has 10/10 and out tied with Vittozzi! Hanna Öberg has missed 1 at S2 and Elvira 2 more there; very annoying – Vittozzi has missed her final shot at S3 and out +21.9 against Voight; Doro has joined the 15/15 club and is 2.7 faster than Voight. Back at S2 Knotten is clear and in touch, just +10.3; at S4 Justine B-B has missed 2 more, but ILT is clear this time – just 2 misses so far. I missed Davidova at S3 – she’s now [0,2,1]; excellent stuff, Voight is 20/20! Julia Simon has missed 1 at S3, but still only +19.5 so faster than Vittozzi. Knotten has also missed 1 at S3; Susan Külm [EST] is 15/15 but slower on the skis; Hanna Öberg now [0,1,1] and Elvira [1,2,1]. At S4 Vittozzi has gone [0,0,1,0] and she’s fractionally quicker there than Voight, despite the 1 miss; meanwhile Doro has missed 2 at S4. Karoline Offigstad Knotten has cleared S4 [0,0,1,0] and is faster than Hauser who cleared all 20! Voight over the finish line in the lead but Vittozzi has been gaining time on the lap; Simon is at S4 and having problems with feeding the rounds – she’s missed 3 there! Vittozzi over the line and 10.1 faster than Voight. Hang on – we haven’t seen that, Sophia Schneider at S3 and [0,0,0] but crucially just +0.9, so faster than Voight! At the finish the podium at present is Vittozzi, Voight and Knotten. I’m really happy to see the amazing Franzi Preuß go 15/15 and leave S3 3.3 faster than Doro W. Some of the later starters are going well – Anna Maka [POL] also 15/15; sadly at S4 Schneider has missed 1, out in 5th though! Just behind her is Marthe Krakstad Johansen [NOR; 0,0,1,0], it’s not over yet! On the final lap Schneider has gone ahead of Hauser’s time. Brilliant, lovely to see Franzi Preuß go 20/20 after such a hard time last year! She only has 11.8 in hand against Vittozzi though after S4. Maka has missed 1 at S4; Schneider over the finish line and currently 4th. At 13.5 Km Preuß is still ahead of Vittozzi but the gap is now just 5.5; at 14.5 Km the gap is down to 2.2! Oh that’s cruel – Franzi Preuß over the line 0.1 behind Lisa Vittozzi’s time! That’s great skiing by Vittozzi, an impressive win! Talking of great skiing, I see Stina Nilsson [SWE] still hasn’t got her shooting up to standard – she’s obviously very fast but [2,1,1,3] isn’t good if she wants to continue with biathlon. The top 6 are settled now, Vittozzi [ITA], Preuß [GER], Voight [GER], Knotten [NOR], Schneider [GER]. Hauser [AUT]. Three more Norwegians in the top 10 – Tandrevold [7], Johansen [8] and Skogan [10] – Maka [POL] a very creditable 9th.

Men’s 20 km Individual – 26 Nov 23: Emilien Jacquelin [FRA] first away – let’s hope the French men shoot better than the women did today. Seb Samuelsson seems to be starting quickly – fastest so far to 2.8 Km . Jacquelin at S1 and he’s clear; so is Samuelsson and he’s 11.2 faster. Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen and Simon Eder both clear at S1 but Martin Ponsiluoma has missed 1. Good to see Benedikt Doll fit enough to race today! That’s very poor from Quentin Fillon Maillet [aka QFM] – 3 misses at S1. Tommaso Giacomel and Andrejs Rastorgujevs both clear at S1 and in touch; Justus Strelow has just joined them. , Sturla Holm Laegreid has also missed 1 – unusual; meanwhile at S2 Jacquelin has missed 2! Good grief, so have Samuelsson and Christiansen! JoBø has missed 1 at S1 as well; Simon Eder the only one so far with a 10/10 score. Ponsiluoma clear at S2, so out just 29.0 behind Eder. Fabien Claude clear at S1, but Doll has missed his final shot. Back to S2 and both Rastorgujevs and Giacomel are clear and out 1st and 3rd respectively. Laegreid clear at S2, pity about the 1 miss at S1; Tarjei Bø clear at S1. Good shooting by Seb Stalder [AUT] to go 10/10 and out +8.0, meanwhile JoBø has cleared at S2 with a very fast shoot! Samuelsson has missed 1 more at S3, but Eder is now 15/15. Ponsiluoma now [1,0,1] but at S2 Claude is 10/10 and 28.6 faster than Rastorgujevs! Speaking of Rastorgujevs he has just gone 15/15 and out 14.1 ahead of Eder, but Giacomel [0,1,0] is only +27.1 despite that 1 penalty minute. That’s odd – Laegreid clear again at S3 but he’s slower than Jacquelin who has one more penalty? Still at S3 Seb Stalder is also 15/15 and just 5 seconds behind Rastorgujevs – BUT JoBø [1,0,0] is only +18.2. Back at S2 Roman Rees is 10/10 but 21.6 slower than Claude; at S4 Eder has missed 2 – game over! Still at S4 Samuelsson is the present leader, faster than Christiansen despite having one more penalty; Ponsiluoma has missed 3 on his final shoot. That’s good from Pavel Magazeev [0,1,0,0] who is out of the range in 3rd; even better by Giacomel [0,1,0,1] – briefly ahead but Rastorgujevs is faster despite missing 1 here [0,0,0,1]. All change again though as Justus Strelow [0,1,0,0] is 4.2 quicker! Oops – Fabien Claude has missed 2 at S3, but Rees is 15/15 and now quickest at S3. JoBø has missed another at S4 [1,0,0,1] but still +15.8! Stalder has also missed 1 at S4 so no 20/20 so far. At 18.8 Km Rastorgujevs is 21.2 ahead of Samuelsson’s time; Strelow just quicker there! At 19.5 Km Strelow is gaining time on Rastorgujevs who is also losing time to Samuelsson – amazing that Seb is still holding the lead with 3 misses! Not for much longer though as Strelow has taken the lead with Rastorgujevs into 2nd. However, at 18.8 Km JoBø is +9.3; at 19.5 he’s past Rastorgujevs but is now 11.1 behind Strelow, and he’s broken a pole too. Current podium is Justus Strelow, JoBø +12.9 and Rastorgujevs + 17.0. Stalder in 4th and Samuelsson in 5th. However, back at S4 Roman Rees is [0,0,0,1] and 5.3 faster than Strelow, and at S3 Endre Strømsheim [NOR] is 15/15 but +31.5. Felix Leitner [AUT] is the first to get 20/20 but he's 47.5 off the pace; Strømsheim has missed 1 at S4! Looks like Rees is flying on his last lap – at 18.8 Km the 5.3 gap after S4 is now 13.8! The gap is now 14.6 at 19.5 Km – a very good effort, and he’s over the line in the lead – currently a German 1, 2! JoBø’s amazing run of wins has ended today. There might yet be a change to the top 10 – Emilien Claude [FRA] is one of the 20/20 team [I can only see 2] out from S4 in 9th but he looks to be losing time – the tracks are quite cut up now – he’s managed to hold on to 10th – great effort! Well, that’s it - a first win for Roman Rees, I think with Justus Strelow 2nd and Johannes Thingnes Bø in 3rd. Then Rastorgujevs, Stalder, Strømsheim, Samuelsson, Giacomel, Doll and Emilien Claude.

25/26 Nov 23 – Killington [Superstar] – Woman’s Giant Slalom: Run 1 – Joined a bit late as I was watching the biathlon. Sara Hector leading, ahead of Lara Gut-Behrami [+0.06], Marta Bassino [0.08], Mikaela Shiffrin and Federica Brignone. There is, for some reason, no video on Eurosport! Alice Robinson [NZL] has just taken the lead by 0.06; Petra Vlhova now down to 8th – Eurosport have given up waiting for video and pulled the plug on coverage of this first run! There seems to be something wrong with the FIS ticker too as nothing seems to be changing? Let’s hope they have the gremlins out for run 2? The ticker seems to be working rather intermittently – looks like Julia Scheib [AUT] is the best of the later starters at present – into 9th from bib 23? Hard to keep up though – the ticker says TV break after bib 22 but we are already on bib 29 – people who are already down, apparently, keep showing up as on course – this is a real mess! As far as I can tell, the top 6 haven’t changed for a good while – Robinson leads from Hector, Lara G-B, Bassino, Shiffrin and Brignone. And that was how run 1 ended – highest bib number to get a 2nd run was Zrinka Ljutic [CRO] who was 22nd from bib 50!
Run 2: Sadly scheduled just as I was cooking! On the plus side, we seem to have video? Franzi Gritsch [AUT] first away and safely down. It’s quite windy at times; Wendy Holdener arguably a bit unlucky with conditions and off the pace; Lara Colturi [ALB] much more in touch and she takes the lead by 0.61. Katharina Liensberger [AUT] has gained to inter 1, lost a little to 2, got it back by 3 and leads by 0.19. Zrinka Ljutic into 3rd; I’m off to finish dinner!
Back from supper – Val Grenier [CAN] has just taken the lead from Julia Scheib with Paula Moltzan in 3rd – she’s made up 6 places! Federica Brignone on course – she’s gaining time here; 0.64 ahead at 2 but just red at 3 and an error - she’s into 2nd, +0.33 – how did she hold on to that? Next is Mikaela Shiffrin, with 0.31 in hand as she starts – she’s well ahead at inter 2, lost a bit to 3 but then gained again to the finish – she leads by 0.63. Marta Bassino away and only 2 hundredths ahead of Shiffrin – going well to inter 1 but she’s down – back on her feet right away, hopefully just bruised? Lara G-B next and she has a 0.15 lead – she’s doubled it by 1, still there at 2 and more ahead at 3 – that was brilliant, she leads by a massive 0.81! Fastest in 3 of the 4 sectors too! Sara Hector red at inter 1 but not by much; much redder at 3 and she’s into 3rd, +1.06. Just Alice Robinson to go – just red at 1, bit redder at 2 but only 0.13 off the pace, more red at 3 – she’s held it together from there to go into 2nd, +0.62. So, another win for Lara Gut-Behrami; Alice Robinson in 2nd having set the best time in the final sector, with Mikaela Shiffrin 3rd. Hector in 4th, ahead of Grenier and Brignone. Sheib in 7th, then Moltzan, Goggia and Vlhova, who had a disappointing 2nd run. Good work by Lara G-B who has won both GS races so far!

Women’s Slalom 26 Nov: A busy day so I missed run 1! Mikaela Shiffrin fastest, ahead of Lena Dürr [+0.19], Petra Vlhova [+0.28], Wendy Holdener [+0.37], Leona Popovic [+0.49] and Paula Moltzan [+1.21]. Charlie Guest was among the DNFs.
Run 2: Nice to see Lara Colturi [bib 57] and Marion Chevrier [bib 59] getting a second run! This run once again clashes with cooking, but I hope to see enough, possibly on catch up? With 5 away Katharina Truppe leads from Bianca Bakke Westhoff [NOR] and Marion Chevrier. Melanie Meillard was red at inter 2, but back green at 3 and she leads by 0.27 – fastest in the final 2 sectors. Colturi can only manage 6th; Camille Rast has gained from 1 to 2 but lost from 3 – even so she now leads by 0.07! Katharina Gallhuber into 5th; Ali Nullmeyer goes 2nd, and slightly confusingly, Katharina Huber takes over the lead! Huber, Rast, Nullmeyer top 3 at present. All change; Andreja Slokar takes over the lead, Sara Hector into 2nd and now Marta Rossetti [ITA] takes over the lead! Michelle Gisin quite red at inter 2 but better from there to go into 2nd. That’s pretty much how it stayed until Wendy Holdener took over the lead, but next on course was Petra Vlhova – gained to inter 2, gained more to 3 and she leads by an amazing 1.04 – she really is on fire on this run! Just 2 to go – Lena Dürr red by inter 2 , redder at 3 and she’s almost doubled the deficit from there to go 3rd, +1.23. So, just Mikaela Shiffrin to go – 0.28 in hand – down to 0.14 at inter 1, but 0.17 at 2; up to 0.35 at 3 and Mikaela Shiffrin takes yet another win – fastest in both runs! She’s going to have to work for it this year though as Vlhova is certainly on form – 3rd on run 1 and second fastest on 2, just 0.05 off the pace. So Shiffrin wins, Vlhova 2nd ahead of Holdener, then Dürr, Rossetti and Gisin.

Östersund – Relays – 29/30 Nov 23:  First, on Wednesday, the Women’s 4 x 6Km relay. It seems both Öberg sisters are racing today,  on legs 3 and 4; Mike Dixon is back too! The weather looks horrible; windy with high humidity and it looks to be snowing?  No Schneider in the German team today and no Vittozzi; three fallers in the tight bunch just after the start. At 0.8 Km Lou Jeanmonnot is just ahead of Anna Magnusson and Marthe Krakstad Johansen – just 8.2 seconds between the top 10. In for S1 – some great shooting here, the first ten out are all clear with no spares used – Johansen just ahead of Magnusson and Jeanmonnot, then Tereza Vobornikova [CZE],  Rebecca Passler [ITA] and Janina Hettich-Walz [GER, +5.5]. Only Latvia on the penalty loop. First standing shoot – Johansen and Passler are away with no spares,  Jeanmonnot third ahead of Vobornikova  and Janina H-W [+11.2], all with 1 spare used. Magnusson among those using 3 spares and out 8th, +28.9. Poor Ziva Kelmencic [SLO] is doing 3 penalty loops; perhaps she was still on the range when that squall went through? As they head to the first exchange Jeanmonnot, Vobornikova, Johansen and Passler are pulling out a slight gap – then GER/SUI/SWE/POL/ROM/SVK.  Cloe Chevalier away for France on leg 2, at 6.8 Km she leads from Juni Arnekleiv [NOR], Jessica Jislova [CZE] and Doro Wierer. Then a gap to Selina Grotian, who has taken Schneider’s place?  As they head for S3 Linn Persson is past Grotian; at S3 – it’s Chevalier who leads out [1 spare], ahead of Jislova [1], Arnekleiv [2], Doro [1], Linn Persson [0] and Amy Baserga [SUI, 1].  Grotian in 7th, after using 1 spare, +25.5. As they head to S4 Arnekleiv is leading – it’s windy!  That’s great shooting by Arnekleiv – clear and out!  Jislova [2, +21.1] in 2nd, then Doro [0, +29.3] and Persson [1, +46.3]. Grotian in 5th ahead of Baserga – Chloe Chevalier has done a penalty loop and is 7th, +1:51.1. Anna Maka [POL] has also done a penalty loop. Exchange 2 – Norway leading as Karoline Offigstad Knotten  takes over, with 37 seconds in hand. Then the Czech Republic and Sweden [+47.8] – followed by GER [+49.6], ITA [+50.8] and SUI [+1:24.5]. At 12.8 Km Marketa Davidova has closed a little on Knotten, as has Elvira Öberg, who has gained 9 seconds by 13.6 Km. In for S5 – Knotten has missed 1 but she leads out; Davidova missing but Elvira is clear and out +23.1, Vanessa Voight also clear and +29.6 and that’s it for anyone within a minute of the leader! Davidova on the penalty loop and out 5th, just behind Samuela Comola [ITA].  Justine B-B has avoided the loop but used all 3 spares – out 10th.  On the lap Elvira continues to close; in for S6 and Knotten has missed 2, and used all 3 spares – meanwhile Elvira has cleared all 5 with no spares and she’s out 18.3 ahead of Knotten with Voight [0] +19.5. Then a big gap to Davidova and Aita Gasparin [SUI], with another big gap to Justine B-B. Poor Comola is doing 2 penalty loops and out 10th. Final exchange – Elvira has handed over a 23.4 second lead to big sister Hanna; Ingrid Landmark Tandrevold for Norway in 2nd and Franzi Preuß away 3rd +29.4. Then CZE [+1:35.8]/SUI [+2:20.0]/FRA [+2:46.0]. On the lap Hanna is holding Tandrevold with Preuß losing a little. In for S7 – Hanna has missed 1 and was very lucky with another – out with 2 spares used; Tandrevold is clear and out +10.1, Preuß also clear and +35.9. Lucie Charvátová [CZE] doing 2 penalty loops, which has let Lena Haecki-Gross [SUI] and Julia Simon past. Final shoot and Tandrevold has closed a little – too hard? So, S8 – Hanna has missed her first 2, now 3 misses, now 4 – melt down! Tandrevold leads out with 2 spares, Preuß [1 spare] out +35.4 but Hanna Öberg is out +36.4 after her penalty loop! Great final shooting by Hanna to limit that disaster to just 1 penalty, by cleaning 3 remaining targets with the 3 spares! Lena H-G out 4th, then Simon and Charvátová. On the lap Hanna isn’t closing on Tandrevold, but is past Franzi Preuß. That’s it – well done Norway [0+9], what a great result for them. Sweden [1+9] in 2nd, quite a surprise, and Germany [0+4] in 3rd. Great work by Arnekleiv and Tandrevold, and also Voight and Preuß. So, Norway win ahead of Sweden and Germany; Switzerland [0+10] just holding off France [1+10] with the Czechs [3+13] in 6th.  Cruel of the TV director to show the Swedish fans faces at S8!

Östersund – Relays – 29/30 Nov 23: Thursday, the Men’s 4 x 7.5Km relay: More fairly vile weather! Out for lunch so joined this on leg 3 just as JoBø came in for S5 – JoBø and Benedikt Doll in very close; 1 spare each and away with Doll +2.3. Felix Leitner [AUT] is clear and out +20.5 ahead of Fabien Claude [2 spares, +27.5] and Lovro Planko [SLO, no spares used by the team so far, +54.5]. I see Sweden have done 2 penalty loops [legs 1 and 2] so far! JoBø in for his standing shoot – very quick and he’s clear and away; Doll has used all 3 spares and out +29.8 ahead of Claude [1 spare, +44.2], and Leitner [1, +52.7]. No one else within a minute of Johannes – that really was a superb shoot! Final exchange; Norway ahead and Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen has 38.5 seconds in hand; Johannes Kühn going out 2nd ahead of Quentin Fillon Maillet [+47.9], then AUT/SUI/ITA. At 23.8 Km Kühn has lost a little time and is now just 5 seconds or so ahead of QFM. Next 3, Jakob [AUT], Finello [SUI] and Hofer [ITA] have all lost time. Here we go for S7 - Christiansen is clear and out, nice; Kühn has used 2 spares and out +59.8, while QFM needed all 3 spares and he’s out +1:09.0. Jakob clear and 25 seconds back on 3rd place, while Hofer [1] has passed Finello [3]. Final shoot – not quite JoBø II as Christiansen has missed his 5th – 1 spare and out! Kühn missing twice while QFM is clear and away in 2nd. Kühn is on the penalty loop but he’s away at last and has some 32 seconds in hand ahead of Jakob [1], who has about the same gap to Hofer [3]. Finello has problems – he's also on the penalty loop and out just 4 seconds ahead of Seb Samuelsson [2 spares] and 7th. Christiansen is cruising, QFM and Kühn secure in 2nd and 3rd respectively, Jakob and Hofer also look safe but Samuelsson is up to 6th by 29.5 Km. So Norway [0+7] take the win, France [0+11] in 2nd with Germany [1+16] taking the final podium place. Jakob has just held off Hofer so Austria [0+2] get 4th ahead of Italy [0+16] with Sweden [2+16] taking 6th – poor shooting in front of the home crowd!

Östersund – Sprints – 1/2 Dec 23: Again it’s the Women’s 7.5 Km Sprint first, on Friday. Arguably better weather – it’s drier, very little snow/wind but minus 15! Race on and Hanna Öberg is first away – not sure that will suit her? Hanna Öberg in for S1, she’s missed her 5th shot!  Back at 1.3 Km Elvira Öberg is currently fastest ahead of Franzi Preuß, who has just missed 1 at S1 after being fastest into that range!  At present Vanessa Voight [0] is the fastest after S1, 7.4 ahead of Preuß [1]. Lisa Vittozzi clear at S1 [bit lucky with one!] and out +3.0; meanwhile Elvira has also missed 1 but out +8.2 so she’s fast!  Hanna Ö at S2 – 1 miss here too. Anna Magnusson going fast at S1 but she’s missed 1; Tandrevold clear and 14.4 ahead of Voight’s time – Arnekleiv also clear at S1 and out +3.0. Voight has missed 1 at S2 as well, but at present she’s fastest out of S2 at present and 25.6 faster than Hanna Ö [1,1]. Rats, Franzi P has also missed at S2 [1,1] but she’s faster than Voight even so – she’s 27.1 quicker than Hanna Öberg who has the same number of penalties – very odd? Lisa Vittozzi the first to go 10/10, but she exits S2 just 2.2 ahead of Franzi P; Elvira has missed 2 at S2!  Back at S1 Janina Hettich-Walz and Lou Jeanmonnot are both clear and in touch; at S2 Tandrevold has missed 2 – Arnekleiv has missed 1 there but she’s out 12.4 ahead of Vittozzi. Meanwhile Knotten [1,0] is out of S2 +2.1 – the commentary team reckon the course is getting quicker? Vittozzi is losing time on her final lap, so I wonder if she’s fully recovered? Mona Brorsson clear at S1 and in touch; Elvira over the finish line in 4th at present despite 3 misses. This is interesting – Jeanmonnot also 10/10 and out just 9.3 ahead of Arnekleiv, who is losing time to Knotten on the lap.  At the finish Karoline Offigstad Knotten [1,0] is over the line in the lead,  9.1 ahead of Juni Arnekleiv [0,1] with Franzi P [1,1] 3rd, +9.8; Voight 4th [0,1] ahead of Tandrevold [0,2] and Vittozzi [0,0]. All change – Lou Jeanmonnot [0,0] over the line to take the lead by 8.5 seconds – her first World Cup win, if it stays that way. Mona Brorsson has revived Swedish hopes – 10/10 and +12.5 after S2. However Johansen is also 10/10 and +14.5. I did wonder what happened to Janina H-W – she missed 2 at S2; Linn Persson [0,1] over the line 9th in an Öberg sandwich. Brorsson is losing time on her final lap – so is Johansen; over the finish line in 9th [best Swede] and 7th respectively. Lou Jeanmonnot looks like she’s got frost nip on her nose – I thought it was tape or cream but it’s not – nasty! Given the relatively poor shooting by some of the better known French biathletes it’s nice to see Gilonne Guigonnat join Jeanmonnot in the 10/10 club!  She’s out +20.0 after S2, and she’s over the line in 8th, +32.8. That’s it – congratulations to Jeanmonnot! Knotten in 2nd and she’ll apparently be in yellow for Sunday’s Pursuit [according to the commentators, but another source says Preuß], then Arnekleiv making it 2 Norwegians on the podium. Franzi Preuß 4th, ahead of Voight and Tandrevold, then Johansen, Guigonnat, Vittozzi and Brorsson. Elvira fastest for course total time, ahead of Lampic, Tandrevold and Preuß.

Men’s 10 Km Sprint – 2 Dec: Firstly the women’s yellow bib issue – it seems Knotten and Preuß have the same points so both will be in yellow on Sunday! Minus 15 today with light snow – still a good crowd there! At 2.1 km the early leader is Quentin Fillon Maillet, an impressive 8.7 ahead of Martin Ponsiluoma. Justus Strelow clear at S1 and away; Roman Rees also clear but 11.9 slower than his teammate. Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen pretty much the same time at 2.1Km as QFM, but Emilien Jacquelin is 2.4 faster than them! QFM just a little unlucky with his final shot at S1, so that’s a penalty loop; unusually Simon Eder has also missed 1, and so has Ponsiluoma. Andrejs Rastorgujevs is clear at S1 and out +6.2 in 2nd. However, Christiansen is also clear and out 8.6 ahead of Strelow! Didier Bionaz [ITA] clear and in touch, but Jacquelin has missed 2. Strelow has missed 1 at S2; Rees has lost time to him on the lap and he’s missed 3 at S2 as well – is he fully fit I wonder? QFM is now [1,1]; JoBø has missed 2 at S1, both high left. Martin Ponsiluoma clear at S2 and fractionally ahead of Strelow. Christiansen is at S2 and that might well be a world record slow shoot [44 seconds behind a good time!] – he’s got all 5 eventually but he’s just 1.4 ahead of Ponsiluoma; Bionaz clear and 6 seconds ahead of Christiansen. Back at S1 Seb Samuelsson is not only clear but 22.2 faster than Christiansen. Seb Stalder [SUI] has joined the 10/10 club and he’s faster than Bionaz too. Tarjei Bø clear at S1 but +18.1 against Samuelsson’s time. JoBø has missed 1 at S2 as well; at the finish Christiansen is over the line 1.8 ahead of Ponsiluoma, with Bionaz into 3rd. At S2 Samuelsson has missed 2 but he’s still 19.4 ahead of Stalder and crucially 28.7 ahead of Christiansen! Doll [0,1] out of S2 but ahead of Christiansen’s time – Endre Strømsheim [NOR] 10/10 and just 7.4 behind Samuelsson. Stalder over the finish line into 3rd; interestingly Tarjei Bø is 10/10 and out 10.7 ahead of Samuelsson – does he have enough speed though? Samuelsson over the line 30.8 ahead of Christiansen despite his 2 penalties – incredible ski speed; I bet Christiansen regrets that amazingly slow second shoot! Benedikt Doll over the line into 3rd, but Strømsheim is coming – he’s into 2nd at present. Back at S2 Philipp Nawrath is 10/10 and he’s 27.0 ahead of Samuelsson’s time. That’s something I missed – Johannes Dale-Skjevdal [1,0] has pulled back some time from S2 to 8.8 Km, up to 4th there! Meanwhile Tarjei Bø has had a good final lap and he now leads by 8 seconds ahead of Samuelsson! Johannes D-S over the line in 3rd; that’s a good final lap! Meanwhile Nawrath is also flying – he’s over the line to take the lead by 18.7 seconds; currently the podium is Nawrath, Tarjei Bø and Samuelsson. Christiansen currently +57.5, so if you take 40 seconds off he would have been on the podium! Meanwhile Vebjørn Sørum [NOR] was 10/10 and just 2.2 seconds off Samuelsson’s time after S2 – he's had a very good final lap too and he’s into 3rd, having taken time off Samuelsson! Johannes Kühn [0,1] into 8th, just behind Fabien Claude [1,0]. So, Philipp Nawrath [0,0] wins, ahead of Tarjei Bø [0,0] and Vebjørn Sørum [0,0]. Good effort and great shooting! QFM [1,1] ended up 16th, JoBø [2,1] 18th and Laegreid [1,0] 20th, which looks odd! Fastest around the course – no surprise it was Samuelsson, who was 20.8 faster than Nawrath with Dale-S 3rd.

1 Dec 23 – Beaver Creek [Birds of Prey] - Men’s Downhill: Not a promising omen – due to yesterday’s snowfall the start has been slightly delayed. Possible start from the reserve start but that decision has been delayed again.  Not good – yet another one cancelled!
2 Dec 23 – Beaver Creek [Birds of Prey] - Men’s Downhill: Race cancelled due to the weather situation with heavy winds and snowfall throughout the night

2 Dec 23 Tremblant [Flying Mile] – Women’s GS: Run 1 – Start delayed by fog! It seems this one will go ahead after a slight delay, but the visibility doesn’t look good! Lara Gut-Behrami first away – it seems the World Cup haven’t been here for 40 years!  Course set by a French coach. This is tricky – the top 8 gates are in thick fog! That looks wrong – Val Grenier shown as over a second green at inter 3 but it’s been amended; she’s into 2nd, +0.42. Mikaela Shiffrin doesn’t sound impressed by the visibility as she starts – into 2nd +0.12.  Federica Brignone well in touch to inter 2, just green at 3 and a great final sector to lead by 0.35. The fog has eased quite noticeably as Sara Hector starts – no surprise she’s green all the way to inter 3 – not such a good final sector though and into 2nd +0.11. Petra Vlhova also lucky with visibility on the upper section – she’s green at inter 3 but again loses it on the final sector to go 4th, +0.40. Marta Bassino is in touch at inter 2 but it’s wrong from there – 7th, +0.96.  The fog is back – Ana Bucik a DNF – she’s up and by the side of the course, so hopefully OK. Maryna Gasienica-Daniel and Alice Robinson both off the pace – it looks as though the sectors from  inter 2 are a great place to lose time. That’s 15 away – Brignone leads from Hector, Lara G-B, Vlhova, Shiffrin and Grenier – top 6 are bib numbers 1 to 6, although not in numerical order!  Sofia Goggia [bib 18] currently the highest bib number in the top 10 in 9th. TV break – no recent changes to the top 6. I think the fog is getting worse, and it seems to be going further down the hill?  That was wild from Britt Richardson [CAN] – into 11th from bib 31! Well, that was impressive – Clara Direz [FRA, bib 42] into 10th – it can be done! That’s run 1 over – no change to the top 10 since Direz.
Run 2: Course set by a Slovenian coach?  Still foggy but it looks less dense! Not a good start – Elisa Platino [ITA] first to go and an early DNF; next is Elisa Moerzinger [AUT] who has gone out at the same place! Katharina Truppe is past that gate but it looks very tricky – safely down, perhaps not being called Elisa is a help? Wendy Holdener also having trouble with that gate, and she’s off the pace too. Elizabeth Kappaurer [AUT] still green at inter 3 but an error on the flat means she’s into 2nd, +0.75. Kristen Lysdahl [NOR] going well to inter 3 but  she too has lost time – she’s 2nd, +0.20.  This might be popular – Cassidy Gray [CAN] nicely green at 3 but she too has lost from there – now she’s 2nd, +0.02! Ricarda Haaser [AUT] green at 3 but she’s skied out. Julia Scheib [AUT] building to inter 2, still well green at 3 and she takes over the lead by an impressive 0.58! However Steph Brunner is even quicker, taking over the lead by 0.53! Ragnhild Mowinckel into 2nd; Maryna Gasienica-Daniel quite red at inter 1 but she’s pulled back a lot to inter 3 – into 4th. Zrinka Ljutic [CRO] red at 1, green at 2, greener at 3 and she’s taken over the lead.  Katharina Liensberger in touch and into joint 2nd, +0.25; that’s 15 away – Ljutic leads from Liensberger who is tied with Brunner! That’s a storming run from Thea Louise Stjernesund – building all the way from inter 2 to take over the lead by 0.66! Alice Robinson into 2nd, +0.62; Britt Richardson goes 4th. Paula Moltzan very neat past “that” gate but just red at 3 and into 3rd. Another nice run from Clara Direz – into 2nd, +0.11; Sofia Goggia next, with 0.79 in hand – she’s up to 1.18 green at inter 3 – she leads by 0.62. Franzi Gritsch [AUT] into 4th; Marta Bassino building to inter 2 but she’s lost a lot to 3 – fastest over the final sector to lead by 0.58! Val Grenier a bit untidy through “that” gate and she’s into 3rd. Mikaela Shiffrin on course, losing time slowly to inter 2, but she’s gained a lot to 3 and she leads by 0.75! Petra Vlhova has 0.07 in hand – just red at 2, just 0.03 red at 3 – this is going to be close – Vlhova leads by 0.08!  Fastest in the final two sectors as well! Lara G-B building slowly to inter 2, red at 3 though and she’s into 3rd. Sara Hector neat through the gate, still green at 2, just red at 3 and now she’s into 3rd. Just Federica Brignone to come – gaining time to inter 2, lost a bit to 3 but she’s done enough – a win for Brignone! Vlhova in 2nd, Shiffrin taking the final podium place – exciting stuff! Well done Federica!

3 Dec 23 Tremblant [Flying Mile] – Women’s GS: Run 1. The second GS of the weekend; apparently Brignone set an “oldest” record with her win yesterday! The bad news is that, yet again, the men’s race [a Super G] at Beaver Creek has been cancelled due to strong winds and snowfall. Brignone reckons today will be faster; the course for run 1 has been set by Petra Vlhova’s coach. Well, the view is a lot better today, as Lara Gut-Behrami starts her first run – safely down. Val Grenier is green at inter 1, greener at 2 – massive error and that’s on a flatter bit of the course – she’s +1.24. Federica Brignone slightly red at 1 and 2 but she’s made a mistake at the same place as Grenier - +0.93. Mikaela Shiffrin next, green at 1 and 2 but slightly red at 3 – fastest in the final sector to lead by 0.24. Marta Bassino nicely green at 2, red at 3 and losing time from there – into 3rd +0.90. Petra Vlhova red at 1, just red at 2, just red at 3 – she leads but by just 0.05! This is close! It’s getting windier – Sara Hector has been unlucky and just 6th, +1.38. Maryna Gasienica-Daniel has skied out - DNF; that’s 10 away – Vlhova leads from Shiffrin and Lara G-B, then Bassino, Brignone and Hector. Thea Louise Stjernesund into 6th; Alice Robinson made a very odd start, pushed hard to recover and she’s skied out. Mina Fuerst Holtmann into joint 6th; that’s better – no change to the top 6 for a while, but Zrinka Ljutic into 5th from bib 23! And, that was the last change to the top 10!
Run 2: Well that’s a change – gloomy visibility, windy and light snow – better at the finish! This course set by an Austrian coach. Hilma Lövblom [SWE} first away and safely down. Another tricky gate quite early on; Elisa Platino [ITA] into 2nd. It’s getting a bit windier at times – Paula Moltzan green to 3 and she leads by 0.26. Emma Aicher [GER] into 2nd – great recovery from inter 3; good final sector from Elizabeth Kappaurer [AUT] to go from 0.15 red at inter 3 to 0.06 green at the finish. Roberta Melesi [ITA] not having much luck with the weather in to 6th; some great recoveries! That’s 10 away – Kappaurer leads from Moltzan and Aicher. Good middle section from Kristen Lysdahl [NOR] – green to inter 3 but then an error and she’s 4th. That wind really is getting up – the gates are moving! AJ Hurt [USA} has built to inter 3 and the wind has eased – she leads by 0.48! Steph Brunner into 2nd – that’s half way – Hurt leads from Brunner and Kappaurer, then Moltzan, Aicher and Lysdahl. Katharina Liensberger into 2nd; Clara Direz also not lucky with the weather but she’s gaining time – very impressive and she leads by 0.95! No wonder she’s happy – very brave stuff! Race interrupted while some of the gate panels are replaced – that’s windy and the snow is getting heavier!! Visibility looks as bad as yesterday; this is getting a bit ridiculous. Even so Val Grenier has got into 2nd – they really are a tough bunch! Sofia Goggia in touch at 2 and she’s into 4th; Sara Hector off the pace and just 6th. Stjernesund also having problems with the wind and visibility and she’s 18th! Her comment “that’s crazy” pretty much sums it up. Mina Holtmann can only manage 16th; Federica Brignone has gained time to inter 2 and more to 3 – she’s a real legend and she leads by 0.45 – what a run, fastest in the first 3 sectors too! Zrinka Ljutic into 4th; I can barely see Marta Bassino at times – she’s into 5th. Lara Gut-Behrami has lost half her advantage by inter 1 and she’s red by 3 – into 2nd after a good final sector – she arguably had the very worst of the wind? Mikaela Shiffrin losing time on the course but still green at 2, into the red at 3 and she’s 3rd. Direz off the podium; just Vlhova to come with 1.22 in hand; just 0.17 left at 2, 0.60 red at 3 and even she can only manage 5th. Federica Brignone has pulled off the double – well done the “old” racer! Lara G-B takes 2nd, and Mikaela Shiffrin 3rd. Brignone fastest on run 2 ahead of Clara Direz who ended up 4th, then Vlhova and Grenier. Not exactly a fair race but, as they keep telling us – it’s an outdoor sport!!

Östersund – Pursuits – 3 Dec 23: First race today is the Women’s 10 Km; race on and there is a lot of tape on the faces! All looks quite close; amazing to see Marketa Davidova so far back! Ian, Tiril Eckhoff has retired! At 1.6 Km Lou Jeanmonnot is 10.9 ahead of Voight, who started 5th, then Knotten, Preuß, Tandrevold and Arnekleiv [+13.1]. Elvira Öberg up to 7 from 11, Hanna 8 from 14th. In for S1 – Jeanmonnot clear and out, as are Preuß [+4.0], Arnekleiv [+5.4], Tandrevold [+6.1] and Voight [+8.1]. Elvira now 6th +17.6 but Hanna has missed 1. Knotten has missed 2 as has Marthe Krakstad Johansen. On the lap Tandrevold and Preuß are in front, but only just – 1.6 seconds between first and 6th. In for S2 – 5 of the leading group are clear but Elvira has missed 1. Out in order Preuß, Arnekleiv, Tandrevold, Voight and Jeanmonnot [+4.1], then 28 seconds to Elvira [0,1] and about 8 more seconds to Hanna Öberg [1,0]. Knotten out 11th, clear at S2. Leading 5 still very close as they come in for S3, Elvira has slipped back a little. S3 – Tandrevold and Preuß have missed 1, the other 3 are clear and out – Hanna clear but Elvira has missed again. Out Arnekleiv, Jeanmonnot, Voight [+3.2], Preuß [+24.2], Tandrevold [+25.6] and Hanna [+35.0]. On the lap Jeanmonnot has fallen back a little and Preuß and Tandrevold are within 20 seconds of the leading pair. Final standing shoot – leading pair have both missed 1 but Jeanmonnot [0,0,0,0] is clear and out; Preuß [0,0,1,0] also clear here and out +6.8, ahead of Arnekleiv [0,0,0,1] and Voight [0,0,0,1, +19.4]. Then Tandrevold [0,0,1,1, +32.7] and Hanna [1,0,0,1, +53.3]. Elvira has missed 2 more. On the lap Preuß is just ahead but Jeanmonnot is still close; Voight is past Arnekleiv, who is losing time to Tandrevold. This is going to be a sprint finish – Jeanmonnot has gone early and she’s pipped Preuß by 0.3! Great race – well done to both of them. Voight takes the final podium place, up from, 5th. Then Arnekleiv, Tandrevold and Hanna Öberg [14 to 6]. Others who gained significant places include Julia Simon [16 to 7], Sophie Chauveau [FRA, 20-12], Janina H-W [19-13], Justine B-B [24-15], Davidova [37-18], Tomingas [28-19], Maka [46-22], Jislova [56-23] and Gandler [45-24]. Those going the “wrong” way include Knotten [2,0,0,1; 2 to 8th], Johansen [7-17], Brorsson [10-20], Passler [18-29], and Lie [23-42, 7 penalties]. Great tactics from Jeanmonnot, not to push too hard into S4 and go at her pace – worked well, and she was one of only three 20/20 today, the others being Tomingas and Maka.
Men’s 12.5 Km Pursuit: JoBø starting number 18 – but he’s gone back as he started too early! At 2.1Km Nawrath is 26.1 ahead of Tarjei Bø, then Vebjørn Sørum, Samuelsson and Strømsheim and Dale. Nawrath in for S1 – he’s clear and out, good shooting! Samuelsson and Sørum have missed 1 each, but Tarjei is clear and +31.5; Fabien Claude clear and out 3rd up from 7th. Christiansen also clear and up to 4th from 9th; JoBø clear but he hasn’t closed. On the lap Samuelsson has gained some 15 seconds; Nawrath in for S2 – clear again and out; Samuelsson has missed another – Tarjei out 2nd, +40.3 ahead of Sørum 1,0], Christiansen [0,0] Claude [0,0] and Samuelsson [1,1, +57.2]. Bionaz 10/10 and up from 13 to 7; JoBø also 10/10 but still +1:37.0. On the lap the gaps are opening a little from Nawrath but fairly static between the chasers although Samuelsson has bucked the trend by gaining another 10 seconds – that’s 3 hard laps. S3 – and 1 miss for Nawrath; chasing group in and Samuelsson clear this time and out +16.8, Tarjei 15/15 +19.6 ahead of Fabien Claude [15/15] and Christiansen +40.7. Sørum has missed 2. JoBø [0,0,1] and + 1:19.8. On the lap Samuelsson is 10.8 behind at 8.8Km; down to 7.2 at 9.6. Final shoot – Samuelson and Nawrath have both missed 1, so has Tarjei – Christiansen clear here. Out Seb Samuelsson, Nawrath +1.4, Christiansen +7.9 and Tarjei +19.1. Ponsiluoma [1,0,1,0] up from 11 to 5, +36.5. Claude missed 2 at S4, QFM up from 16 to 8. How can Samuelsson go that fast with 3 penalties and so many hard laps? Seb Samuelsson over the line to take the win; Nawrath has closed a little to go 2nd – Christiansen taking 3rd from 9th at the start. Others gaining places include Ponsiluoma [11 to 6], QFM [16-9], Zobel [30-16], Anton Vidmar [SLO, 27-18], Eder [36-22], Mukhin [KAZ, 33-26], Hartweg [50-31], Vaclavik [CZE, 54-34] and Christian Gow [51-38]. Going the “wrong” way the list includes Sørum [3-7], Doll [10-19 with 4 penalties], Krcmar [25-37], and Strolia [21-47, 5 penalties]. Impressive race by Samuelsson – he’s had a busy week!