DAVOS, Switzerland (Dec. 17, 2014) - Like nordic skiing? Love the U.S. Cross Country Ski Team? Here are eight people and points to keep your eyes peeled for when the World Cup returns to Davos, having been moved from Las Clusaz due to a lack of snow.
Simi Hamilton competes in the qualification of the men's sprint free in Sochi. (Getty Images - Harry How)
Simi Hamilton
The Aspen native finds Davos a comfortable European outpost given its western-like sun and typically fast conditions. Look for this American sprinter, who fell ill last weekend, to roar back with a vengeance when the freestyle sprint goes off on Sunday.
Ida Sargent competes in the women's 1.3km sprint free qualifications in Davos. (Getty Images - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
Ida Sargent
Improving steadily throughout the season, Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT) has put in the best freestyle results against the World Cup field. The all-freestyle weekend on tap—replacing a classic race and a relay originally scheduled in snowless Las Clusaz—are spot on for the Vermonter.
Sadie Bjornsen races in the women's 10km classic individual race in Davos. (Getty Images - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
Tighter Braid
Sadie Bjornsen made skating consistency a goal for her racing in 2014-15. Her early races have been strong and impressive, making her .01-second narrow miss to the freestyle sprint heats last weekend especially motivating. Look for Sadie to tear into this weekend’s rerun of that event. “I’ll have a tighter braid and something to chase,” the Winthrop, WA native described of the coming 1.2k event.
Kikkan Randall at the Cross Country World Cup in Falun, Sweden. (Getty Images - Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP)
Closer
“We’ve been reminding our athletes and the press that our plan to peak is in period two, closer to the World Championships. We’re going to close the gap on people. But our focus was to come into this season more conservatively and build into the most important races,” explained Chris Grover, head cross country coach, after the first three World Cup weekends. Look for Kikkan Randall (Anchorage, AK) to continue to reclaim ground towards the top and the rest of the U.S. team to follow suit.
Andy Newell takes a breather after the men's 1.3km sprint free finals in Davos. (Getty Images - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
No Newell
Consistently in the mix, Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT) will not be in the finals of this coming weekend’s sprint. That’s due to a calendar plan that marked Andy flying back to the U.S. for a pre-Tour de Ski break before the holidays. When the event was moved and changed to a sprint, he considered staying but remained steadfast to his original schedule. “We’re sticking to the plan with Andy,” explained Chris Grover, “The break will be now with an eye on the second period.”
The Norwegian women lead the pack at the women's 1.3km sprint free in Davos. (Getty Images - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
Norway, Norway, Norway
To date, Norway has won 26 of 32 possible podium positions. The country’s athletes swept the results page as sharply as five deep in the women’s field and six of the top seven in the men’s. “They’ve come in hot,” explained Chris Grover. “They have a lot of great racers and they are all vying for a spot on their World Championship team. But we will close on them. Other countries will close, too.”
Caitlin Gregg competes in the women's 10km classic individual race in Davos. (Getty Images - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
Tricky waxing
With a forecast calling for wet snow on Saturday, fast skis will be tricky to find in the tough blend of manmade and newly fallen flakes. Ski structure will play a big roll and big disparities in ski glide are possible, if not likely.
Darlo Cologna races in the men's 1.3km sprint free qualifications in Davos. (Getty Images - Fabrice Coffrini/AFP)
Dario Cologna
The Swiss skier is on his home course, and is hungry after a shortened season due to injury last year and narrowly missed upending the Norwegian train in last weekend’s 15k classic event when he boldly double-poled the distance race to a third place finish, just eight seconds behind Norwegian Martin Sundby. Look for Cologna to come out charging.
