Kirkpatrick

That's pretty much it for women's overall, well over 100 points advantage for Østberg with two races to go. I can't see any scenario where she fails.

Hope lads will keep it interesting until Sunday.

Patrick from Eurosport is in belief that winners get 100 points for win here, I'm afraid not, just 50.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018–19_FIS_Cross-Country_World_Cup#Points_distribution

All the contenders qualified for QFs of today's sprint. Good time for Nepryaeva, guess not ill anymore.

Only overall seems interesting though, sprints are done, I don't think even theoretically Falla has any chance anymore. Nilsson finished second in qualifying, so even if she falls for example in QF, should have enough points even if Falla wins eventually. I think so at least, slightly confusing how final positions are in sprint.

Germans were fast, four of them in top 8 of course time. Lesser far behind, though.

Japan 6-5
USA 6-6
Canada 5-6

USA - Japan 5-9
Japan - Canada 7-5
USA - Canada 13-6

Japan 2-0 (16-10) vs Swe
USA 1-1 (18-15) no matches left
Canada 0-2 (11-20) vs Den

If I'm not mistaken, that's it, Japan goes into next round no matter the results in the final draw.

For second place: 

Russia 9-3

Korea 8-3

Switzerland 8-3

Russia - Switzerland 11-5
Russia - Korea 6-7
Korea - Switzerland 6-5

Korea 2-0
Russia 1-1
Switzerland 0-2

Second place goes straight to semi-finals, so, maybe not a bad idea to fight for it. Well, just Korea, Swiss have no chance.

No stopping Boe, his speed is just silly. 

Boe

Christiansen

Boe

After first shooting. They look very good.

But this is biathlon, wonderful sport with many many surprises. Come, second shooting! 

USA can remove any tension if they win against Switzerland in afternoon's session. Japan has two tough matches, and Canada on paper has an easy match to get to 6-6.

Will be interesting in any case. I don't have a particular favourite I'd wish to join top 5 in the next round...maybe just not Canada. They won a lot in previous Championships.

Canada - Germany 8-5
USA - Japan 5-9
Germany - Japan 10-7
Japan - Canada 7-5
Germany - USA 10-7
USA - Canada 13-6

Germany 2-1 (25-22) vs Fin, vs Sui
Japan 2-1 (23-20) vs Chn, vs Swe
USA 1-2 (25-25) vs Sui
Canada 1-2 (19-25) vs Den

USA just scored six on Scotland.

Surely that happened quite a few times, it's just that I personally haven't seen that live. 5 at most.

Hinz just got kicked off to 61st place.

Herrmann faster than Kuzmina at the end by 1.1 seconds. I think the course was faster later as well.

Hinz be safe, but...

Braisaz
Gontier
Vittozzi
Magnusson
Brorsson
Kryuko
Simon
Fialkova
Hacki
Sanfilippo

...all miss the pursuit.

But Chevalier might get there.

Germans might've been smart with late starts. Preuss on route to easily overtake Fialkova, let alone Aymonier.

Maybe Dahlmeier has some chance as well now... Nope, even without the miss, she wouldn't compete for podium.

But Preuss right in there, maybe even second place?

It's pretty much catastrophe for whole Italian team save for Wierer. All three others will probably miss the pursuit.

Dahlmeier off podium.

Heh, glad she didn't.

Herrmann might steal that podium place from Aymonier.

Aymonier faster than both Norwegian girls! Nice. (I mean from last shooting to the finish)

Egan could've been there, but missed one.

New contender for podium! Hoegberg.

Olsbu to take over Eckhoff.

Sorry, but this TV director is an idiot.

Yeah, she looks extra fast today.

Sad for Kaisa, even with 10/10 she might not be near Kuzmina, slowish in this race.

Fialkova actually increased her lead over Eckhoff, but Kuzmina increased hers over Paulina's.