Idre Fjall hosts back-to-back SX competitions
Jan 22, 2022·Ski Cross
We are back in Europe, in Idre Fjäll, Sweden, to be precise, for the very last pair of races before the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
Although it was quite the journey to come from Nakiska, Canada, here to this Scandinavian beauty of a landscape, it is definitely always worth being here. The course is quite extraordinary, since there is a super long finish straight, which at first sight might look like it’s boring, but in reality, this is where the entire race is being decided in the end. So, one thing is for sure, Idre Fjäll heats are never really done until the very finish line, which of course makes for very exiting races.
Sandra Naeslund in a league of her own
So far this season, Swedish top star Sandra Naeslund was absolutely unbeatable. She already showed in each quali her great dominance and also in the following competitions, she could not be stopped. Let’s take a look at the record table so far: Naeslund had 9 World Cup starts this season out of which she took 7 individual wins and one together with team mate David Mobaerg at the mixed-team event in Arosa.
The 25-year-old is on top of her game this season and if she continues like that, theoretically she could beat Fanny Smith’s all-time World Cup victories record, which is 29. Naeslund stands at 24 World Cup wins so far and assuming, she would continue to win each competition left this season, she could equal the record in Reiteralm (AUT) and beat the record at the World Cup finals in Veysonnaz (SUI). But there is still quite the road ahead of us with the Olympics coming up as well, so let’s see what else Naeslund will be able to pull off this season.
In the women’s field, Naeslund will be missing some of her greatest competitiors here in Idre Fjall, as Fanny Smith is recovering at home in Switzerland after a crash, she suffered from in Nakiska at the big final.
Also, Alizee Baron (FRA), who was on top of the podium here last year, will not be competing this weekend, because she too has to recover from back pain that she had been suffering from lately.
With the Canadian team not being here, strong competitors like Brittany Phelan and Marielle Thompson will also be missing.
On the other hand, this will give other competitors the chance to go strong on their performances and fight for podium spots on this 2021 World Championships course. We can’t wait to see the outcome on the weekend.
No clear dominance on the men’s side
So far, only Swedish athlete David Mobaerg was able to take two wins this season, one in Arosa and one in Nakiska. Other than that, no male athlete stood on top of the podium twice, which shows how many strong athletes are out there, battling for the medals.
World Cup leader Bastien Midol (FRA) has showed some strong consistent racing this season with four podium spots of which one was a victory in Innichen (ITA). Although the course in Idre Fjäll might not be the most suitable one for the Frenchman, he managed to hop onto the podium here twice so far with one victory last year.
Of course, the Mobaerg brothers, Erik and David, who showed strong performances in Nakiska, will be going full send on their home soil track, trying to prevent one of the other competitors to take the win.
Ryan Regez from Switzerland had also shown strong racing this season with one win and one second place in Innichen and one third place finish in Canada. Currently sitting in third rank at the World Cup ranking, the Swiss will enter into the back-to-back races here in Idre with a lot of confidence. Also, the fact that he previously made it on the podium three times here will be quite helpful for giving it full gas.
And we cannot forget to mention Mr. Alex Fiva (SUI), who became World Champion on this track last year. He took three World Cup wins here and one second place in total, which clearly shows that this course is definitely one that he enjoys riding.
Again, with the Canadian team not being here, some strong competitors will not be here, but there will be enough strong athletes in the start gate to show a strong fight for those podium spots.
Idre Fjall title defenders from January 2021: Fanny Smith (SUI) and Reece Howden (CAN); both not competing this year.
With only 16 women being here, there will be a seeding run at 10:40 CET on Friday, January 21 for the first competition on Saturday and another one at 12:35 CET for Sunday’s competition. The seeding run defines the ranking and therefore the brackets for the final heats. It also means that even if the athletes do not start or finish, they will be allowed to start in the finals.
We will have qualifications for men for both competitions on January 21 with the first going down at 11:10 CET and the second one at 13:05 CET. As usual, you will be able to follow via live timing on our website or via FIS App.
Finals are on for January 22 at 11:15 CET and on January 23 at 13:00 CET. Don’t forget to tune in!
WATCH LIVE (subject to change)
Saturday, Jan 22 at 11:15 CET:
ORF Sport+ (Austria), V Sport 1 (Finland), Ziggo 14 (The Netherlands), V Sport + (Norway), Polsat Sport News (Poland), Joj Sport (Slovakia), TV 6 (Sweden)
Livesteaming: FIS Frestyle Youtube channel (geo-restrictred, please check countries where you can watch live HERE), Eurosport Player (Europe), CBC Sports Streaming (Canada), Viaplay (Denmark), Arena 4 + (Hungary), SRF Play , RTS Sport (Switzerland), skiandsnowboard.live (USA), NBC Peacock (USA), sportschau.de (Germany)
Sunday, Jan 23 at 13:00 CET:
V Sport 1 (Finland), Ziggo Docu (The Netherlands), V Sport + (Norway), Joj Sport (Slovakia), TV 6 (Sweden)
Livesteaming: FIS Frestyle Youtube channel (geo-restrictred, please check countries where you can watch lice HERE), Eurosport Player (Europe), CBC Sports Streaming (Canada), Viaplay (Denmark), Arena 4 (Hungary), SRF Play, RTS Sport (Switzerland), skiandsnowboard.live (USA), NBC Peacock (USA), sportschau.de (Germany)
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