Back-to-back races coming up in Sweden's Idre Fjäll
Jan 24, 2020·Ski Cross
We are back in Europe from a highly intense race in the Northern Hemisphere with quite chilly temperatures, not unusual for this time of the year in Alberta, Canada. However, we are not going to lie, it was a challenge for everybody to conquer cold temperatures of -30 degrees.
The next stage of the Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup is set for back-to-back races in a small town near the Norwegian border in central Sweden, Idre Fjäll.
Sweden is currently suffering from warm temperatures, but in Idre Fjäll it is winter and the course, constructed by David Ny, is ready.
2015/16 was the first season that Idre hosted Audi FIS Ski Cross World Cup action and the Swedes stepped up in a big way, introducing a truly unique course set-up that has lead to some of the most thrilling ski cross action seen over the past few seasons.
There will be some new features and small changes from last year, but still with the world cups highest jump.
The big jump is 25 meters from the kick to the take-off and will have the racers fly about 30-40 meters.
SX women are chasing Sweden’s hero Naeslund
After we saw Sandra Naeslund (SWE) coming back on top of the podium in freezing Nakiska, one can only expect her to give everything she has for the competitions on her home soil. Naeslund is for sure looking to add to her three wins and six total podiums at Idre, especially after being shut-out in 2018/19.
She is also still the current World Cup leader with a 79-point margin ahead of Fanny Smith (SUI), who sits in second at the Cup standings. Smith however also seems to be determined to get in the lead for World Cup points, as she made it back to the podium in Nakiska into third position. Also, Fanny Smith is the current title defender for Idre Fjäll, so one can expect a good show.
Brittany Phelan is also someone to watch, as the Canadian athlete came in second, not only last weekend at her home race in Nakiska, but also at the last competition in Idre Fjäll in the past season. Despite a hand injury, which Phelan had carried with her ever since the first competition of the season in Val Thorens (FRA), the Canadian obviously wants to join future podium parties.
Can someone stop Drury?
Past weekend we also saw Reece Howden (CAN) taking home his maiden win with current World Cup leader Kevin Drury (CAN) coming in second and Daniel Bohnacker (GER) rounding out the podium.
Kevin Drury, also called “Quadzilla” by his team mates for obvious reasons, seems to be in an unbeatable shape at the moment, showing off exceptional double-passes in Nakiska and opening the New Year with a podium spot.
Jean-Frederic Chapuis is the title defender for Idre on the men’s side, had however been suffering from appendix pain for the past couple of weeks, which also prevented him from starting at the World Cup in Nakiska. He will therefore not be able to compete in Idre Fjäll. We wish him a quick recovery and fast return to the circuit!
Another one to watch out for is Swiss veteran Alex Fiva, who holds three wins in Idre and 4 podiums in total. No doubt the 33-year-old will go full gas at the Scandinavian races. So far, Fiva has made it to the podium once this season, taking second place at his home race in Arosa.
Double qualifications went down on January 24 and finals are set for January 25 and 26 at 11:00 CET for both days.
WATCH LIVE
Saturday, Jan 25:
ORF Sport+ (Austria), Eurosport 2 (Europe), Eurosport (Asia), Sport 1 (Lithuania), Ziggo Sport 14 (The Netherlands), Polsat Sport News (Poland), SVT 2 (Sweden), NBC Sport gold (USA)
SVT Play (Sweden)
Sunday, Jan 26:
ORF Sport+ (Austria), Eurosport (Asia), Sport 1 (Lithuania), Polsat Sport News (Poland), SVT 2 (Sweden), SRF Zwei (Switzerland), NBC Sport gold (USA)
SVT Play (Sweden)
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Full list of countries with the live streaming available can be found HERE.
Full list of countries with the live streaming available can be found HERE.
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