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Holmenkollen 50 K: A good year!



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 11th 06, 10:51 PM
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Default Holmenkollen 50 K: A good year!

Last night was the traditional 'night before 5-Mila' in Holmenkollen, I
met up with a set of friends near Frognerseteren, and then we skied most
of the trail using our night-O headlamps.

It was a lot of fun, with huge groups of people camping out to
celebrate the ski race the day after (today).

In some spots there were so many campfires near the top of a hill, that
it was actually somewhat hard to breathe properly. :-)

Anyway, the longest stretch without any trailside campers must have been
about 1 km, shortly before the bottom turnaround point at Ullevålseter.

The rest of the trail had people all around it, most sleeping overnight
in military/lavvo style tents, but many just laying out their pads
underneath the nearest spruce tree.

Today the actual race was just as exciting as usual, with the longtime
clear leader (Piller Cotterer) bonking completely on the last lap,
allowing the swede, Anders Södergren, to finally get his well-deserved win.

Anders also had some problems at the end of the final lap, dropping 2/3
of the 1 minute he had on Di Centa, but he still won.

At the other end of the spectrum, Tom Reichelt of germany had a
career-best day, acending from 28th rank on the first lap, via 10th on
the second to a podium finish.

Two relatively young men, Geir Ludvig Aasen and John Anders Gaustad in
5th and 6th place were the top norwegian finishers, in front of Skjeldal
in 7th and Estil in 9th.

Petter Northug had promised that he wouldn't retire, he cruised through
the race with 40, 37 and 15 as his lap placements.

BTW, even though Nordmarka is very hilly, the 50 K (16.7 km) loop is
simply brutal: It sort of follows the lighted trail between Ullevålseter
and Frognerseteren, except that it climbs up and down the hillside all
the time, with steep uphills alternating with short, twisty downhills,
giving _very_ little rest. I'm simply amazed that anyone can ski it
three times in a row, and still make it look almost effortless. :-)

Terje
--
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"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"
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  #2  
Old March 12th 06, 01:02 AM
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Nice description, Terje! There you have the difference between
Norwegian skiing and just about everything in the U.S. but the Rose Bowl
parade. And all for individual start races! (the Germans also show up
in big numbers, but overnight?) Your comments about the course
correspond to what can be seen in the results
(http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.ht...&raceid=3D9452). Most of
the top 10 after the 1st and 2nd laps dropped 10-20 places by the end
and vice-versa, with Cottrer's DNF after leading by 1:10 at 33.4k mark
being primo case. In the women's race Sachenbacher was able beat
Beckie Scott for third by sticking with Neumannova for much of the
final lap. This all seems apropos to the discussion about mass start vs
individual start and the challenges of each on a hard course. I wonder
if a mass start 50k (or 30K for the women) on that course wouldn't
allow some separation at the top, unless everyone decided to hold
back. =20

BTW, what happened with Bjoergen (DNF)? Her falling results this week
after Mora suggest that her recovery either turned out to be not as
strong as she was hoping, or perhaps that she got a little carried away
in winning the Vasaloppet. It will be interesting in China and Japan
for the overall championship, with Scott now down by only 46 points. =20

Gene

Terje Mathisen wrote:

Last night was the traditional 'night before 5-Mila' in Holmenkollen,
I met up with a set of friends near Frognerseteren, and then we skied
most of the trail using our night-O headlamps.
=20
It was a lot of fun, with huge groups of people camping out to=20
celebrate the ski race the day after (today).
=20
In some spots there were so many campfires near the top of a hill,
that it was actually somewhat hard to breathe properly. :-)
=20
Anyway, the longest stretch without any trailside campers must have
been about 1 km, shortly before the bottom turnaround point at
Ullev=E5lseter.
=20
The rest of the trail had people all around it, most sleeping
overnight in military/lavvo style tents, but many just laying out
their pads underneath the nearest spruce tree.
=20
Today the actual race was just as exciting as usual, with the
longtime clear leader (Piller Cotterer) bonking completely on the
last lap, allowing the swede, Anders S=F6dergren, to finally get his
well-deserved win.
=20
Anders also had some problems at the end of the final lap, dropping
2/3 of the 1 minute he had on Di Centa, but he still won.
=20
At the other end of the spectrum, Tom Reichelt of germany had a=20
career-best day, acending from 28th rank on the first lap, via 10th
on the second to a podium finish.
=20
Two relatively young men, Geir Ludvig Aasen and John Anders Gaustad
in 5th and 6th place were the top norwegian finishers, in front of
Skjeldal in 7th and Estil in 9th.
=20
Petter Northug had promised that he wouldn't retire, he cruised
through the race with 40, 37 and 15 as his lap placements.
=20
BTW, even though Nordmarka is very hilly, the 50 K (16.7 km) loop is=20
simply brutal: It sort of follows the lighted trail between
Ullev=E5lseter and Frognerseteren, except that it climbs up and down
the hillside all the time, with steep uphills alternating with short,
twisty downhills, giving _very_ little rest. I'm simply amazed that
anyone can ski it three times in a row, and still make it look almost
effortless. :-)
=20
Terje
--=20
-
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"

  #3  
Old March 12th 06, 06:34 PM
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Gene Goldenfeld wrote:
Nice description, Terje! There you have the difference between
Norwegian skiing and just about everything in the U.S. but the Rose Bowl
parade. And all for individual start races! (the Germans also show up
in big numbers, but overnight?) Your comments about the course


There are lots of people who have been camping out every year for a long
time, one of the guys I skied with on Friday have been occupied this way
since the last time we made the same trip together, about 15-20 years ago.

He naturally had to say hello to his friends both on the way out and on
the return.

correspond to what can be seen in the results
(http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/610.ht...CC&raceid=9452). Most of
the top 10 after the 1st and 2nd laps dropped 10-20 places by the end
and vice-versa, with Cottrer's DNF after leading by 1:10 at 33.4k mark
being primo case. In the women's race Sachenbacher was able beat
Beckie Scott for third by sticking with Neumannova for much of the
final lap. This all seems apropos to the discussion about mass start vs
individual start and the challenges of each on a hard course. I wonder
if a mass start 50k (or 30K for the women) on that course wouldn't
allow some separation at the top, unless everyone decided to hold
back.


With the heavy snowfall during the second lap, a mass start event would
almost certainly have been a big group, with a final sprint around
'Gratishaugen' and into the stadium.

In fact, Petter Northug might well have won such a race, but not by
being (imho) the best skier on the day. Bravo Anders!

BTW, what happened with Bjoergen (DNF)? Her falling results this week


She tried but after dropping 30 seconds in the first 2 km, she realized
that she had no chance at all.

after Mora suggest that her recovery either turned out to be not as
strong as she was hoping, or perhaps that she got a little carried away
in winning the Vasaloppet. It will be interesting in China and Japan


Probably both: Her entire season was marred by illness, then she tried a
bit too hard to get in shape for the olympics, and now she's missing the
groundwork needed to handle multiple races in a row.

for the overall championship, with Scott now down by only 46 points.


I know. Unless Bjørgen beats Scott in the first race (sprint), I think
she'll end up losing the glass globe on the last race, after leading
clearly all the time since the first event.

Terje

--
-
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"
  #4  
Old March 12th 06, 09:40 PM
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Camping out for a race? Thousands cheering on marathoners?
Excitement surrounding an outdoor winter event?

This is what separates us from the Euro's.
I'm moving to Scandinavia.

Oct/Nov in northern Norway - Kirkenes.
Dec/Jan in Finland - Kuuopio.
Feb/March in Sweden - Mora.
April? Any suggestions

thanks for giving some insight into the excitment Terje.

JK


"Terje Mathisen" wrote in message
...
Last night was the traditional 'night before 5-Mila' in Holmenkollen, I
met up with a set of friends near Frognerseteren, and then we skied most
of the trail using our night-O headlamps.

It was a lot of fun, with huge groups of people camping out to celebrate
the ski race the day after (today).

In some spots there were so many campfires near the top of a hill, that it
was actually somewhat hard to breathe properly. :-)

Anyway, the longest stretch without any trailside campers must have been
about 1 km, shortly before the bottom turnaround point at Ullevålseter.

The rest of the trail had people all around it, most sleeping overnight in
military/lavvo style tents, but many just laying out their pads underneath
the nearest spruce tree.

Today the actual race was just as exciting as usual, with the longtime
clear leader (Piller Cotterer) bonking completely on the last lap,
allowing the swede, Anders Södergren, to finally get his well-deserved
win.

Anders also had some problems at the end of the final lap, dropping 2/3 of
the 1 minute he had on Di Centa, but he still won.

At the other end of the spectrum, Tom Reichelt of germany had a
career-best day, acending from 28th rank on the first lap, via 10th on the
second to a podium finish.

Two relatively young men, Geir Ludvig Aasen and John Anders Gaustad in 5th
and 6th place were the top norwegian finishers, in front of Skjeldal in
7th and Estil in 9th.

Petter Northug had promised that he wouldn't retire, he cruised through
the race with 40, 37 and 15 as his lap placements.

BTW, even though Nordmarka is very hilly, the 50 K (16.7 km) loop is
simply brutal: It sort of follows the lighted trail between Ullevålseter
and Frognerseteren, except that it climbs up and down the hillside all the
time, with steep uphills alternating with short, twisty downhills, giving
_very_ little rest. I'm simply amazed that anyone can ski it three times
in a row, and still make it look almost effortless. :-)

Terje
--
-
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"



  #5  
Old March 12th 06, 10:19 PM
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32 degrees wrote:
Camping out for a race? Thousands cheering on marathoners?


How's that different from the NY Marathon? Except for the camping out in
-5 to -20 C part?

Excitement surrounding an outdoor winter event?

This is what separates us from the Euro's.
I'm moving to Scandinavia.


You're welcome!

What's your daytime occupation?

Oct/Nov in northern Norway - Kirkenes.


I'd prefer some place like Beitostølen, Kirkenes can be both dark and
snowless at that time of the year. Isn't that right Terje H?

Dec/Jan in Finland - Kuuopio.
Feb/March in Sweden - Mora.


OK, but you _have_ to come to Oslo after Vasaloppet in time for
Holmenkollen!

April? Any suggestions


Any mountain you like in Norway!


thanks for giving some insight into the excitment Terje.


My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it.

Terje

--
-
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"
  #6  
Old March 12th 06, 10:36 PM
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Default

Terje Mathisen wrote:

for the overall championship, with Scott now down by only 46
points. =20

=20
I know. Unless Bj=F8rgen beats Scott in the first race (sprint), I
think she'll end up losing the glass globe on the last race, after
leading clearly all the time since the first event.


Someone commented here during the Olys that Becky had seemed to peak too
early, an idea that didn't get a pleasant response from our Canadian
friends. In the fasterskier.com article yesterday she's quoted as
saying that she's only now returning to her December form, and that the
Canadians have an advantage going to the Far East because they are more
used to the rigors of travelling than the others. We'll see. Bjorgen
will have many chances, but this seems to be Scott's last.

GG
  #7  
Old March 12th 06, 10:50 PM
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On Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:40:15 -0500, "32 degrees"
wrote:

Camping out for a race? Thousands cheering on marathoners?
Excitement surrounding an outdoor winter event?

This is what separates us from the Euro's.
I'm moving to Scandinavia.


Not Holmenkollen, but a nice picture of crowds watching racing in
Norway:
http://www.teamtoday.org/Portals/21/...%20drammen.jpg

From
http://www.teamtoday.org/Stories/tab...5/Default.aspx

JFT

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  #8  
Old March 13th 06, 12:58 AM
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IF the NYCIty marathon was held in -10 deg C temps I'll be not one NYCity
person would camp out the night before !!
Thats the difference !
JK

Kirkenes sounds kinda exotic and so far north. No snow that far north in
October??

"Terje Mathisen" wrote in message
...
32 degrees wrote:
Camping out for a race? Thousands cheering on marathoners?


How's that different from the NY Marathon? Except for the camping out
in -5 to -20 C part?

Excitement surrounding an outdoor winter event?

This is what separates us from the Euro's.
I'm moving to Scandinavia.


You're welcome!

What's your daytime occupation?

Oct/Nov in northern Norway - Kirkenes.


I'd prefer some place like Beitostølen, Kirkenes can be both dark and
snowless at that time of the year. Isn't that right Terje H?

Dec/Jan in Finland - Kuuopio.
Feb/March in Sweden - Mora.


OK, but you _have_ to come to Oslo after Vasaloppet in time for
Holmenkollen!

April? Any suggestions


Any mountain you like in Norway!


thanks for giving some insight into the excitment Terje.


My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it.

Terje

--
-
"almost all programming can be viewed as an exercise in caching"



  #9  
Old March 13th 06, 03:54 AM
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Default

On Sun, 12 Mar 2006, 32 degrees wrote:

Camping out for a race? Thousands cheering on marathoners?
Excitement surrounding an outdoor winter event?

I watched the "5-mila" (and a part of the women's 30 km)
in 1996. It was fun looking at all the spectators along the trail.
I have some low quality photos (scanned from prints, I'll
try to rescan them better later):
http://www.dermott.ca/ski/hk_fotos.html

Unfortunately, I didn't have a list of racers's numbers
while I was watching. I found out later that Becky Scott
was racing in the 30 km and I probably saw her, and may even have a
photo of her

--

David Dermott , Wolfville Ridge, Nova Scotia, Canada
email:
WWW pages:
http://www.dermott.ca/index.html


  #10  
Old March 13th 06, 07:51 AM
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Default


John Forrest Tomlinson wrote:
On Sun, 12 Mar 2006 16:40:15 -0500, "32 degrees"
wrote:

Camping out for a race? Thousands cheering on marathoners?
Excitement surrounding an outdoor winter event?

This is what separates us from the Euro's.
I'm moving to Scandinavia.


Not Holmenkollen, but a nice picture of crowds watching racing in
Norway:
http://www.teamtoday.org/Portals/21/...%20drammen.jpg

From
http://www.teamtoday.org/Stories/tab...5/Default.aspx

JFT


The local newspapers reported the crowd in those pictures (The Drammen
Sprints) was 40,000 strong. Not bad for a town with 57,000 residents!

Joseph

 




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