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Competition Format 

As always top 30 athletes in the qualification will proceed to quarterfinals. There will be six athletes in every heat. Two best in the heat are automatically sent to the next round. Two fastest times from all racers in all heats ranked 3rd-6th places are called lucky losers and continue as well. Same procedure applies to semifinals. As of this year there is no longer B-Finals.

Start time

Qualification starts at 10.15 local time, at 19.15 CET. Quarterfinals at 21.30, semi-finals at 22.20 and finals at 22.45 CET (13.45 LOC).

Competition Course 

A hard course will not allow double polling in uphills. Race without grip wax is impossible. Changing weather makes waxing extremely difficult. There is a tough uphill from the stadium and on the way back. Horseshoe shaped stadium will help to create thrilling atmosphere.

Favorites

Petra Majdic (SLO) was sovereign in the sprint in last seasons, and would normally fight for gold. Justyna Kowalczyk (POL) impressed at rehearsal in Canmore, but her performance over 10 km Free was less impressive. Marit Bjørgen (NOR) has once again found good shape in the classical sprint. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen and Virpi Kuitunen of Finland will be there as well.
We should not forget Alena Prochazkova of Slovakia who won here last year and who has shown pretty good shape in sprints. Norway's Celine Brun-Lie, and Maiken Casper Falla and former world champion Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen are hoping for good placements. Astrid Jacbosen is highly motivated as she managed not only to come back into good shape after her bike accident but made it to the Norwegian Olympic Squad and would like to come home to Trondheim good result from Whistler.
Sweden's Hanna Falk has been in a good sprint shape this year and won both Free and Classical sprints. She dominated in Düsseldorf and Otepää. Ida Ingemarsdotter was for the first time on the podium in Canmore and also in World Cup final last year. A medal candidate. There is also Anna Olsson, who had bad luck earlier this year, both in Davos and in Canmore. Magdalena Pajala is new fresh air in the Swedish squad and may make it to the finals. Remember that in sprint everything can change quickly and luck plays an important role

 

Langd.se tips: 

1) Petra Majdic, SLO
2) Marit Bjørgen, NOR
3) Anna Olsson, SWE

Start list Ladies Qualification

 

Contributed by: Kjell-Erik Kristiansen, langd.se

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