JonPhi

QFM doesn't seem to have top form anymore, so the overall World Cup is not secured yet. Vetle is simply a grenade in the direct duel

Therese Johaug will end her career after the 30K tomorrow: https://www.nrk.no/sport/therese-johaug-legger-opp-1.15879317

Diggins and classic just doesn't work this season. She will have to try to take as many points as possible in the first bonus sprints on Saturday. The 100 points at the finish will definitely go to Johaug. The main points have to come next week in Falun. If possible win the prologue in the sprint (will be hard against Sundling) and then at least a podium in the sprint and individual start on Saturday. Her disadvantage will be that she will have a hard time to get big points in the mixed relays, because the male part is probably not strong enough. The gap should ideally not be bigger than 150 points before Falun so that she still has a chance.

Les Rousses (FRA) wanted to take over the World Cup Final, but was turned down because the TV window would overlap with the Alpine World Cup Final. Thus it will probably have been that after Falun.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x88hux5

The problem is Bescond will go. She had still been the one who provided a bit of cohesion among themselves. Otherwise, the team is really pretty bad since the departure of MDH. I could also imagine Chevalier-Bouchet quitting. She doesn't seem to have much desire anymore anyway, based on her attitude, and with her daughter at home, I think at most another year. In the women's IBU Cup it looks quite good. Today again 4 in the top8. However, they must now also get times World Cup races, otherwise they also have no desire at some point. Paula Botet and Eric Perrot ran now the whole season in the World Cup without real top annoyances, with the exception of one race of Eric in Ruhpolding. Especially in the women's team had given up in the past again and again, because they were never allowed to run in the World Cup. But at least after this season then 1-2 places will be free.

Braisaz reloaded from a magazine while standing shooting because she was missing a round. This is not allowed, of course, but she said she did not know about it. @Bohemia To be honest, just like at the games. Bescond again with a good performance, which gives hope for the rest of the competitions. But the rest? Chevalier-Bouchet can't be used in relays anymore, again penalty loop, and this time 2. Justine stayed without penalty loop, but Simon again with penalty loop. I missed Chloe Chevalier for the second time in this relay, who showed two good relays in Ruhpolding and Antholz.

Disqualified

Chevalier-Bouchet How stupid are the coaches Relay globe seems going to Sweden again

Surprising that Norway have that much problems, they were the clear favorites

Relay Women https://ibu.blob.core.windows.net/docs/2122/BT/SWRL/CP08/SWRL/C51B2_v0.pdf

By the way, the World Cup in Otepää seems to be fully booked at least as far as the normal tickets are concerned on Saturday and Sunday. Nice that so many people are interested in the biathlon sport in Estonia, because they do not have a real top athlete. Ticket prices were also not really high, at least when I compare it to Oberhof or Ruhpolding. A place at the track costs 6,90€ on Thursday&Friday and 9,90€ in the stadium. On the weekend, the track tickets are 4€ more expensive, but also two races.

France will run tomorrow with the same quartet of the Olympic Games, so again Anais Chevalier Bouchet will be in the team. Fortunately for them, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine are three strong teams missing, otherwise the crystal globe would have been in danger.

Tarjej Bö is sick and will miss the relay. A start in the Sprint is not confirmed yet.

The season for Klaebo & Co is probably over. Without most of the Norwegians and Russians, there are sure to be some surprises at the end of the season. Now that there should be a world cup final, the chances for diggins are not bad.

Russians are leaving Norway: https://www.nrk.no/sport/bolsjunovs-trener-til-nrk_-_-vi-forlater-norge-1.15874271

Taugbol, Klaebo, Valnes, Golberg and Skar Covid-positive.

The World Cup final is to be held in Östersund after all, but only if Russians and Belarusians are not allowed to start. Otherwise Östersund will not host the final.

Looks like no and Athletes at World Cups in Norway this weekend: https://www.nrk.no/sport/overstyrer-fis_-skiforbundet-nekter-russere-a-delta-i-norge-1.15873984

No athletes at FIS junior championships in Zakopane (POL). Otherwise, the organizers would not have held the championship

The next two races are also classic, so bad for Diggins. Neprayeva should be strong in Drammen on Thursday, but the question will be, can she start? Falun looks like no Problem for the Russians.

Looks like there will be no Russians in Kontiolahti or Oslo: https://www.nordicmag.info/les-biathletes-russes-quittent-la-coupe-du-monde-0226/

What should they do, if Estonia don‘t let them in? What should the CAS do?

I understand it so: - No Russian/Belarus Athletes in Otepää anyway - Start for them under neutral flag in Kontiolahti and Oslo (so far), if the IBU invites them

No more Start for Athletes under and flag for this season: https://twitter.com/biathlonworld/status/1497579706278985728