Category Archives: Sports

Swedish highlights in the 2018 Winter Olympics

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In this post you will find highlights with Swedish participants in the 2018 Winter Olympics, day by day. We are updating the post with results as the games are progressing. We are also completing results as the Olympic Games continue. All times indicated are in Swedish time zone. The 2018 Winter Olympics are hosted in South Korea: When the time is 12:00, lunch time in Sweden, it is 20:00 in the evening in South Korea.

Swedish medals in the 2018 Winter Olympics:

Gold: 7 (Charlotte Kalla, Skiathlon | Stina Nilsson, Sprint (cl) | Hanna Öberg, Biathlon | Frida Hansdotter, Downhill | André Myhrer, Downhill | Biathlon, Men, relay 4 x 7,5 km | Curling, Ladies)
Silver: 6 (Sebastian Samuelsson, Biathlon | Charlotte Kalla, 10 km freestyle, Nordic Skiing, Ladies, 4×5 km relay | Charlotte Kalla and Stina Nilsson, relay | Biathlon, Ladies, 4×6 km relay | Curling, Men)
Bronze: 1 (Stina Nilsson, 30 km)

Total: 14 medals

Friday, February 10th:

12:00 The games are opened

Saturday, February 10th:

08.15-09.20 Cross Country Skiing, Ladies Skiathlon (GOLD to Charlotte Kalla)

08.40-11.00 Ice Hockey, Women, round robin, Japan – Sweden (1-2)

Sunday, February 11th:

07.15 Cross-country skiing, Men, Skiathlon

Monday, February 12:

11.10 Biathlon, Women, 10 km pursuit

13.00 Biathlon, Men, 12,5 km pursuit (Silver to Sebastian Samuelsson)

13.10 Ice Hockey, Women, round robin, Sweden – Korea (0-8)

Tuesday, February 13th:

09.30 Cross Country Skiing, Ladies / Men, Sprint, Classical, Qualifiers

12.00 Cross-country skiing, Ladies / Men, sprint, finals (GOLD to Stina Nilsson)

Wednesday, February 14th:

01.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Denmark – Sweden (5-9)

(moved to Friday) 02.15 Downhill, slalom, Ladies, 1st heat

04.10 Ice Hockey, Women, round robin, Sweden – Switzerland (1-2)

(moved to Friday) 05.45 Downhill, slalom, Ladies, 2nd heat (GOLD to Frida Hansdotter)

06.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Denmark – Sweden (3-9)

12.05 Curling, Men, round robin, South Korea – Sweden (2-7)

Thursday, February 15th:

01.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin

(04.10 Ice Hockey, Women, round robin, USA – Canada (1-2))

06.05 Curling, Men, round robin

07.30 Cross-country skiing, Ladies, 10 km freestyle

08.40 Ice Hockey, Men, round robin, Norway – Sweden (0-4)

09.15 Biathlon, Ladies, 15 km (GOLD to Hanna Öberg)

12.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Sweden – Canada (7-6)

12.20 Biathlon, Men, 20 km

Friday, February 16th:

01.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Sweden – USA (10-4)

06.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Sweden – Russia (5-4)

07.00 Cross-country skiing, Men, 15 km freestyle

12.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Sweden – United Kingdom (8-6)

13.10 Ice Hockey, Men, round robin, Sweden – Germany (1-0)

Saturday, February 17th:

01.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Switzerland – Sweden (7-8)

04.10 Ice Hockey, Women, Quarterfinal, Finland – Sweden (7-2)

06.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Canada – Sweden (2-5)

08.40 Ice Hockey, Women, Quarterfinal, Switzerland – Russia (2-6)

10.30 Cross-country skiing, Ladies, 4×5 km, relay (Silver to Sweden)

12.15 Biathlon, Ladies, 12.5 km

Sunday, February 18th:

06.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, United Kingdom – Sweden (6-8)

07.15 Cross-country skiing, Men, 4x10km, relay

12.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Sweden – Japan (11-4)

12.15 Biathlon, Men, 15 km

13.10 Ice Hockey, Men, round robin, Sweden – Finland (3-1)

Monday, February 19th:

01.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Sweden – South Korea (6-7)

06.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Sweden – Switzerland (3-10)

12.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Japan – Sweden (5-4)

Tuesday, February 20th:

01.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Italy – Sweden (3-7)

Wednesday, February 21st:

01.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Sweden – China (8-4)

06.05 Curling, Men, round robin, Sweden – Norway (2-7)

9.00 Cross-country skiing, sprint, freestyle, Ladies and Men, qualifiers

11.00 Cross-country skiing, sprint, freestyle, Ladies and Men, finals (Silver to Charlotte Kalla and Stina Nilsson)

12.05 Curling, Ladies, round robin, Sweden – USA (9-6)

13.10 Ice Hockey, Men, Quarterfinal, Sweden – Germany (3-4 SD)

Thursday, February 22nd:

02.00 Downhill, Men, slalom, 1st heat

05.30 Downhill, Men, slalom, 2nd heat (GOLD to André Myhrer)

12.05 Curling, Men, semifinal, Sweden – Switzerland (9-3)

12.15 Biathlon, Ladies, 4×6 km relay (Silver to Team Sweden)

Friday, February 23rd:

03.30 Freestyle, Women, Ski Cross, Seeding Round

05.15 Freestyle, Women, Ski Cross, Finals

12.05 Curling, Ladies, Semifinal, Sweden – United Kingdom (10-5)

12.15 Biathlon, Men, 4×7.5 km relay (GOLD to Team Sweden)

Saturday, February 24th:

6.00 Cross-country skiing, Men, 50 km, mass start

07.35 Curling, Men, final, Sweden – USA (7-10, Silver to Team Sweden)

Sunday, February 25th:

01.05 Curling, Ladies, Final, Sweden – South Korea (8-3, GOLD to Team Sweden)

(01.30 Figure Skating, show)

05.10 Ice Hockey, Men, final, Russia – Germany (4-3, SD)

07.15 Cross-country skiing, Ladies, 30 km, mass start (Bronze to Stina Nilsson)

12.00 The games are closed

More info at the Olympics official page: https://www.olympic.org/

We summarize: The Swedish sports year 2017

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Sports

In this post we summarize the Swedish sports year 2017. Despite being a so-called ‘mid year’ without major Olympic or soccer tournaments, we have been able to enjoy several exciting competitions.

Gold in The Bandy World Championships

Sweden hosted the Bandy World Cup in 2017. The host nation advanced to the playoffs through three straight victories (against Russia, Finland and Kazakhstan) in the group stage. Germany was defeated by 34 (!) – 6 in the quarterfinal while Norway was defeated by 17-2 in the semifinal. The final game was another matchup against Russia. After the first half, Russia had a 3-1 lead. Sweden however managed to change the game in the second half and won 4-3. The deciding goal came in the first additional minute in the second half.

Nordic World Ski Championships

Sweden got four medals in the cross-country skiing world championships in Lahti, Finland. Unfortunately, no golds. Charlotte Kalla got a bronze in Skiathlon and a silver in 10-kilometer classic skiing. Sweden got another silver in the ladies 4 x 5 km relay and a bronze medal in the men’s 4 x 10 km relay. We hope for additional, more precious medals in the 2018 Olympic Games.

Ice Hockey World Championships

Last time the ‘Three Crowns’ won the World Championships was in 2013 when the brothers Sedin reinforced the team in the playoffs. In 2017, head coach Rikard Grönborg got a lot of reinforcements from the National Hockey League and Sweden could put a highly competitive team on the ice, with players like Henrik Lundqvist, Nicklas Bäckström and William Nylander. Sweden finished third in the group stage, after losses against Team United States and Russia. In the quarterfinal, Switzerland, was defeated 3-1. Our Nordic rivals from east Finland were defeated 4-1 in the semifinal. In the final, the toughest possible opponent, Canada, awaited. Team Canada was looking to extend the a golden streak with a third straight gold medal in the World Championships. That did not happen. Sweden played a disciplined game of hockey and after full time and overtime, the score was 1-1. Henrik Lundqvist was untouchable in the shootout. The image of a happy Nylander who jumps into Lundqvist’s arms after the shootout is now a Swedish classic.

FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifiers

Equal to the Three Crowns, Sweden’s national team in football is probably the biggest exclamation mark in 2017. With opponents like the Netherlands and France in the qualification group, they managed to grab the second spot and advance to the a playoff qualifier against Italy. We have seen it before: A Swedish 4-4-2 perform miracles against big football nations. Italy fell heavily with 1-0 in the first match at Friends Arena, and then Sweden managed to get the 0-0 tie away. A true sensation by a anonymous Swedish team without ‘big’ names.

Europa League

Manchester United won the final in the Europa League in Stockholm, but without injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, the big sensation in EL was during the 2017-18 season when the little team of Östersund qualified to the tournament and advanced to the playoffs. Arsenal with visit Jämtkraft Arena in Östersund for the Round of 32.

Swimming World Championships

In July, the Swimming World Championships were hosted in Budapest, Hungary. Sarah Sjöström won four medals for Sweden:

  • 50 m butterfly: gold
  • 100 m butterfly: gold
  • 50 m freestyle: gold
  • 100 m freestyle: silver.

Other highlights:

  • Sweden gained a bronze in the Alpine World Cup in Switzerland.
  • Britta Johansson Norgren finally won the ladies Vasalopp!
  • Daniel Ståhl won the silver medal in discus throw at the 2017 IIAF World Championships.

IAAF World Championships London 2017: finals!

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Friidrott

The IAAF World Championships are hosted in London, GB, August 4-13 2017. We look forward to see top athletes perform on the same stage as the 2012 Olympic Games. In this post we present the final / medal events, day by day:

Date. Event, Men/Women (noteworthy participant):

August 4: 10 000 metres, M (Mo Farah)

August 5: Discus Throw, M | Long Jump, M | 10 000 metres, W | 100 metres, M (Usain Bolt)

August 6: Marathon, M | Marathon, W | Pole Vault, W | Shot Put, M | 100 metres, W

August 7: Hammer Throw, W | Triple Jump, W | 110 metres hurdles, M | 1500 metres, W

August 8: Javelin Throw, W | Pole Vault, M | 3000 metres steeplechase, M | 800 metres, M | 400 metres, M

August 9: Shot Put, W | 400 metres hurdles, M | 400 metres, W

August 10: Triple Jump, M | 400 metres hurdles, W | 200 metres, M

August 11: Long Jump, W | Hammer Throw, M | 300 metres steeplechase, W | 200 metres, W

August 12: High Jump, W | 100 metres hurdles, W | Javelin Throw, M | 5000 metres, M (Mo Farah) | 4×100 metres Relay, W | 4×100 metres Relay, M

August 13: 50k walk, M | 50k walk, W | 20k walk, M | 20k walk, W | High Jump, M | Discus Throw, W | 5000 metres, W | 800 metres, W | 1500 metres, M | 4×400 metres Relay W | 4×400 metres Relay M

Programme, Lahti 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships

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Längdskidor

After two years, it is time again: The Lahti 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships are up. Last time the championships were held in Swedish Falun, 2015. This time we turn east to Finland with hopes of snow, gold and good glide beneath the participants’ skis. In this post you will find the schedule for the 2017 Championships, day by day, February 22 – March 5. All times are in Central European Time.

Schedule, 2017 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships


Wednesday, February 22:

15:00: Qualifiers 5 km, women

16:30: Qualifiers 10 km, men

20:00: Opening ceremony

Before the opening ceremony, there are qualifiers for the lowest ranked participants.

Thursday 23 February:

16:00: Qualifiers sprint, women and men,

18:00: Finals sprint, women and men

Saturday, February 25:

13:00: Skiathlon 15 km, women

15:30: Skiathlon 30 km, men

Sunday, February 26:

12:30: Team Sprint semifinals, women and men,

14:30: Team Sprint Finals, women and men

Tuesday, February 28:

14:45 10 km classic, women

Wednesday, March 1:

14:45 15 km classic, men

Thursday, March 2:

16:00: 4 x 5 km relay, women

Friday, March 3:

14:30: 4 x 10 km relay, men

Saturday, March 4th:

15:30: 30 km freestyle, women

Sunday, March 5:

15:30: 50 km freestyle, men

Note that the distance races are run as freestyle races this year instead of classic.

The sports year 2017

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Sports

In this post we look forward to the major sports events of 2017. Although this year is a kind of middle year between the “super” sports year of 2016 (Euro 2016, Summer Olympics and World Cup of Hockey) and 2018 (Winter Olympics and FIFA World Cup in Russia), we have been able to pick out some raisins from the cookie so to say. As this post is being written, USA just won the World Ice Hockey Juniors of 2016-17 and Tour de Ski just finished.

Major sports events of 2017

M = men, W = women.

January 16-29: Handball World Championship in France, M.
February 6-19: Alpine World Championships in Switzerland
February 21-March 5: FIS Nordic Ski World Championships in Lahtis, Finland.
March 5: Vasa Race
March – October: FIFA World Cup qualifiers, M.
March 31 – April 7: IIHF Ice Hockey Championships in USA, W.

May 5-21: IIHF Ice Hockey Championships in France and Germany, M.
June 3: Champions League final in Cardiff, England, M
June 16-30: U21 UEFA Soccer Championships, in Poland, M (Sweden is current champions)
July 15-30: FINA Swimming World Championships in Budapest, Hungary
July 16-August 6: UEFA Soccer Championships in Holland, W

December 1-17: Handball World Championship in Germany, W
December 26, 2017 – January 5, 2018: Ice Hockey World Juniors, Buffalo USA, M
December 30, 2017 – January 7, 2018: Tour de Ski

At Betbonus, we will mainly focus on football/soccer, skiing and ice-hockey. We are especially looking forward to the Nordic Ski World Championships in Finland this winter. While the summer contains some interesting football tournaments, we will also follow the qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup during the year. Sweden did not manage to qualify to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and are re-building a new generation team under a new coach, without the superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Back to a basic 4-4-2! While the fall is kind of empty, the winter of 2017-18 will be more rewarding with loads of winter sports, including the Olympic Games in South Korea.

We summarize the (super)sports year 2016

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Sports

We had great expectations for 2016, with three major sports tournament: Euro Football in France, The Summer Olympics in Rio, Brazil, and World Cup of Hockey in Canada. In this post we summarize the sports year 2016.

Hockey!

Finland started the new year by winning the World Juniors of hockey. With future superstars like Patrik Laine and Sebastian Aho in the team, they beat their Eastern rivals Russia in the final.
In the IIHF World Hockey Championships in May, Finland once again reached the final, but got eliminated by Canada that won their second consecutive gold in the tournament.
The NHL was won by Pittsburgh Penguins which meant that Canada’s “golden boy” Sidney Crosby got his second Stanley Cup title as a captain.
Crosby also lead the Canadian National team to victory in the World Cup of Hockey in the fall. They beat Team Europa in the final. Many of us hoped for a dream final between Canada and Sweden, but Team Europa suprisingly eliminated Sweden in the semi-final. Crosby has now won Stanley Cup, The Olympics, World Cup of Hockey and the World Championships. Impressive!

Euro 2016

The 2016 UEFA Championships in France offered us much entertainment as the best European National teams fought for the prestigious title. In the end, Portugal demonstrated that a good defense wins large tournaments when they managed to win the gold, even without injured superstar forward Ronaldo. Many of us enjoyed watching Iceland’s progress in the tournament. It was a surprise that they even reached the tournament at all, being a small island nation without much of a football tradition. However, they even excelled and advanced from the group stage. In the play offs, Iceland was put up against the English supreme power and most of us thought that this would be the end of their progress when England got the early lead. The tale continued though and Swedish coach Lars Lagerbäck’s Iceland charmed us with the “Volcano” in an additional game.

Sweden did not manage to advance to the play offs and only scored one goal (an Irish own-goal) during three games. We are now looking forward to see what a new generation of players after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, with a new coach can do in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

The Olympic Games in Rio

Sadly, much of the Olympic spirit was blackened by doping rumors and suspension. Nevertheless, we got to see some great performances by the participating teams and individuals. In Sweden, we enjoyed the medals by our Olympic Queen: Swimmer Sarah Sjöström. Poster names like Usain Bolt and Mo Farah delivered entertainment when they won additional gold medals at the running tracks.

We summarize: The 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil

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OS

The 2016 Summer Olympics are over and during two weeks we have enjoyed a great deal of sports in Rio de Janeiro. This was the first time the games was held in South America. Despite doping suspensions, economic troubles and sanitation problems, Brazil could deliver some great sports moment to us this summer. In this post, we summarize the highlights of the 2016 Summer Games:

Peaceful selfie

In the women’s gymnastics, Lee Eun-ju of South Korea and Hong Un-jong of North Korea took a selfie with each other. Their countries are still officially at war and the penalties in North Korea for contacts with South Koreans are harsh. Moments like this really catches the Olympic spirit and give the world hope.

Simone Biles

More gymnastics. The 19 year old US gymnast Biles impressed the world with a total of four gold medals and one bronze.

3x Usain Bolt

Jamaican superstar dominated in the 100 and 200 meters distance, as well as in the 4 x 100 meters relay. Hats off!

2x Mo Farah

Another athlete we have gotten used to during the years is British runner Mo Farah. He won 5000 and 10000 meters at the IAAF World Championship last year, and he repeated the procedure during the 2016 Olympics. Farah aims at participating (and winning) both distances at home in the 2017 World Championship in London.

Brazil’s most important gold

The games got a fairytale finish for the host nation thanks to football superstar Neymar. He scored one goal and the deciding penalty shot in the football final against Germany. A little comfort after the humiliating 1-7 loss at home in the 2014 World Cup semifinals. The soccer gold is of course Brazil’s most important medal since it is their national sport. In fact, the spectators of the Olympic games acted like every sport was football, booing inappropriate during the men’s pole jump for example. Immature and primitive.

Chicken Swedes!

The Swedish women’s soccer team went all the way to the final by playing a mediocre group stage, but acting disciplined in their offensive game, beating the 2012 Olympic and 2015 World Champions USA in the quarter final and Brazil in the semi final on penalties. USA’s goal keeper referred to the Swedes as cowards after the quarterfinal. Swedish coach Pia Sundhage answered “I don’t give a damn, they are going home and we are going to Rio!”

Selected World Records

  • Sarah Sjöström, Sweden, finally won her first Olympic gold medal and broke the world record in 100 meters butterfly. Sjöström also won a gold and a silver medal at freestyle swimming.
  • Almaz Ayana got the first world record of the athletics at the Olympic Stadium. She slaughtered the old record in women’s 10 000 meters with over 14 seconds.

Schedule, Olympic Handball in Rio 2016

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Handboll

We continue to look forward to  the Olympic Games in Rio, Brazil, 2016. Earlier, we wrote about the Olympic football. In this post you can read about the handball tournaments. Below are the groups and schedule for the preliminary rounds as well as the play offs. According to the odds, France is favourites in to defending their gold medal from London 2012.

The men’s handball in Rio 2016

Group A

Argentina
Qatar
Croatia
Denmark
France
Tunisia

Group B

Egypt
Germany
Sweden
Slovenia
Poland
Brazil

The top four teams in each group go through to the quarterfinals. The winner of group A meets the fourth team of group B and so on. The group stage is played between August 7-15. The knockout stage starts with quarterfinals, August 17, followed by semifinals August 19. The medal games are played August 21.

The women’s handball in Rio 2016

Group A

Angola
Spain
Montenegro
Romania
Norway
Brazil

Group B

South Korea
Argentina
Sweden
Russia
Netherlands
France

Here too, the top four teams advance to the quarterfinals which is determined in the same manner as in the men’s tournament. The group stage is played between August 6-14. The knockout stage starts with quarterfinals, August 16, followed by semifinals August 18. The medal games are played August 20.

For full schedule and all match dates, check out this official PDF.

Dahl and Smutna won the 2016 Vasa Race

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Vasa race

Each year, as a part of a winter week in Dalarna, Sweden, a traditional, 90 km classic nordic ski race is taking place. It is based on the history about Sweden’s first king, Gustav Vasa travelled the area on skis in the 1500’s. This would later lead to the liberation of Sweden from Danish tyranny and the establishment of a royal superpower in the north of Europe. Every year, thousands of skiers, amateurs and professionals, side by side, take part in the Vasa Race between Sälen and Mora.

The 2016 Vasa Race

The snow conditions have been pretty terrible the last two years, with lots of water at the tracks. This year, it was somewhat better, with soft tracks, but no water. Snow fell at the tracks most of the day. Anyway, on March 6, 08:00 in the morning, the start went. Among the favourites on the men’s side were last year’s winner Petter Eliasson together with some fellow Norwegian skiers. Sweden’s big hope, Johan Olsson, sadly had to refrain some participating because of a broken rib. In the women’s competition, many Swedes were hoping for Britta Johansson Norberg to finally win her first Vasa race after a good season with many victories in the longer races.

John Kristian Dahl won the men’s Vasa Race 2016

Two hours into the competition, two Norwegian skiers, Christoffer Callesen and Kjetil Hagtvedt Dammen broke loose from the large group at the front. They took turns in pulling and it looked good until about 20 kilometers was left of the race. Then, they got tired and the group behind them slowly but steady gained the 2 minute distance the two skiers had managed to build up. With 6 kilometers left of the race, a group of about 20 participants made their way towards the finish line. This could have been anyone’s race, but the strongest skier the last 100 meters was Norway’s John Kristian Dahl. This was the fourth time in a row that a Norwegian skier won the Vasa race. Dahl won the Vasa Race in 2014 as well. Oh, Well, after all, Norway belonged to Sweden long time ago and we were in a union with them until 1905. As long as no Danish skier wins the race we guess everyone is happy.

Katerina Smutna won the women’s Vasa Race 2016

In the women’s competition Johansson Norgren was ahead most of the race. She had almost a minute’s advantage over her competitors, but this distance was tightened the last half of the race. As in the men’s competition, the women’s race had to be decided the last 100 meters before the finish line. Sadly, some male skiers got in the way and prevented any real showdown between Johansson Norgren and Austria’s Katerina Smutna who had caught up her Swedish rival. Smutna got the best position in the end and could finish the race first. Even if there was no real sprint that decided the women’s race, overall, Smutna had caught up over a minute on Johansson Norgren and won fair and square. Even if there are physical differences between men and women, it is still fun to see them take part in a race with the same rules. This means that sometimes it will be tight at the ski tracks, but it also means that no one is treated differently due to their gender.

Prior winners of the Vasa Race

2015: Petter Eliassen, Norway/Justina Kowalczyk, Poland

2014: John Kristian Dahl, Norway/ Laila Kveli, Norway

2013: Jörgen Aukland, Norway/Laila Kveli, Norway

2012: Jörgen Brink, Sweden/ Vibeke Skofterud, Norway

2011: Jörgen Brink, Sweden/Jenny Hansson, Sweden

Also see http://www.vasaloppet.se/en/

Now we are looking forward to follow the last competitions of the Ski Tour Canada before we put our skis on the shelf for this winter.

Results, Ski Tour Canada 2016

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Längdskidor

In this post we follow the results of the last competitions of the FIS Ski World Cup 2016: Ski Tour Canada. See also, schedule for Ski Tour Canada. The post is updated continuously.

Results, Ski Tour Canada 2016

Date, location, distance, discipline/style

F = free style C = classic M = men W = women

Total standings after the decisive 10 km pursuit/C W & 15 km pursuit/C M

Men:

1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, NOR
2. Sergei Ustiugov, RUS +57,7
3. Petter Northug Jr, NOR +1.53
4. Maurice Manificat, FRA +2.18
5. Alex Harvey, CAN +2.54

Best Swede: 10. Marcus Hellner +6:01

Comment: Sundby and Northug quickly began to chase Ustiugov. After a while, they caught him. However, where Northug got tired, Sundby just kept going and showed us why he is the world’s greatest skier in the 2015-16 season. This year, he won his third straight World Cup, including Tour de Ski and Ski Tour Canada. Impressive!

Women:

1. Therese Johaug, NOR
2. Heidi Weng, NOR +1.08
3. Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, NOR +2.13
4. Krista Pärmäkoski, FIN +2.56
5. Jessica Diggins, USA +3.09

Bästa svenska: 12. Charlote Kalla +7.13

Comment: Like Sundby, Johaug was behind before the last event. Like Sundby, she chased her opponent, and passed her. Johaug secured the Norwegian dominance in nordic skiing, winning the World Cup, Tour de Ski and Ski Tour Canada.

Men:

1. Sergei Ustiugov, RUS
2. Petter Northug Jr, NOR  +32:3
3. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, NOR +39:6

Women:

1. Heidi Weng, NOR
2. Therese Johaug, NOR +30:0s
3. Ingvild Östberg Flugstad, NOR +1:24:4

11 March: Lake Louise, 10 km/F W & 20 km/F M

Men:
1. Matti Heikinen, FIN
2. Evgeniy Below, RUS
3. Marcus Hellner, SWE

Women:
1. Ingvild Östberg Flugstad, NOR
2. Heidi Weng, NOR
3. Krista Parmakoski, FIN

Comment: In Sweden, we happily watched Marcus Hellner finally getting a place on the podium after a troubled season. In his favourite distance, 15 km freestyle, he came out strong and did an excellent race. Hellner is back and we look forward following him in the 2016-17 season. Also, since the World Championships 2017 are held in Finland, we are sure that our neighbours are happy with two podium places today.

9 March: Canmore, 15 km Skiathlon W & 30 km Skiathlon M

Men:
1. Martin Johnsrud Sundby, NOR
2. Sergei Ustiugov, RYS
3. Matti Heikinnen, FIN

Women:
1. Heidi Weng, NOR
2. Therese Johaug, NOR
3. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, NOR

Comment: Another smart victory by Weng over Johaug. They followed each other the entire race but Weng was once again the faster skier at the end. In the men’s competition, Sundby was the most tactical skier of the day. He collected a total of 43 bonus seconds in relation to the tour leader Ustiugov during the race. We are looking forward to two exciting deciding competitions in the 2016 Tour de Canada!

8 March: Canmore, sprint/C W/M

Men:
1. Federico Pellegrini, ITA
2. Eirik Brandsdal, NOR
3. Maurice Manificat, FRA

Women:
1. Maiken Falla Caspersen, NOR
2. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, NOR
3. Ingvild Östberg Flugstad, NOR

Comment: The classic sprint introduced an interesting concept with two heavy passages up the same hill and down a steep turn. Norwegian skiers Heidi Weng and Therese Johaug fell on the icy turn in their quarterfinals. Still, at the end of the day, we had three Norwegian skiers on the podium. Sadly, Swedish sprint expert Stina Nilsson did not take part because of illness. Charlotte Kalla fell in the semifinal. In the men’s competition, sprint expert Pellegrini from Italy won the final. However, the smartest skier of the night might have been Norway’s bad boy, Petter Northug, who did not go for a placement in the final. He just relaxed during the two laps in the final, saving his strength for the upcoming distance races.

5 March: Quebec City, 10 km pursuit/F W & 15 km pursuit/F M

Men:
1. Sergei Ustiugov, RUS
2. Petter Northug Jr, NOR
3. Emil Iversen, NOR

Women:
1. Heidi Weng, NOR
2. Therese Johaug, NOR
3. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, NOR

Comment: Advantage Ustiugov in the first pursuit event. Norwegian skiers Northug and Iversen made a brave attempt in catching up but failed. In the women’s competition, Weng placed herself behind Johaug the entire race and passed her before the finish line with an impressive sprint. Johaug held a furious phase the entire race but failed to shake of her Norwegian colleague.

4 March: Quebec City, sprint/F W/M

Men:
1. Gros Baptiste, FRA
2. Alex Harvey, CAN
3. Sergei Ustiugov, RUS

Women:
1. Stina Nilsson, SWE
2. Maiken Caspersen Falla, NOR
3. Heidi Weng, NOR

Comment: Another excellent performance by Nilsson who finished first after crushing Falla in the last 100 meters. In the men’s competition, Canadian skier Alex Harvey showed what he was made of. Baptiste from French almost have the home town advantage here in Quebec, French Canada.

2 March: Montreal, 13 km mass start/C W & 22 km mass start/C M

Men:
1. Emil Iversen, NOR
2. Petter Northug Jr, NOR
3. Sergei Ustiugov, RUS

Women:
1. Therese Johaug, NOR
2. Heidi Weng, NOR
3. Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen, NOR

Comment: The tables like we are used to see them: plenty of Norwegians! Russia’s Ustiugov shows good shape.

1 March: Gatineau, sprint/F W/M

Men:
1. Sergei Ustiugov, RUS
2. Richard Jouve, FRA
3. Simeon Hamilton, USA

Women:
1. Maiken Caspersen Falla, NOR
2. Stina Nilsson, SWE
3. Jessica Diggins, USA

Comment: A good start on the tour with two North American and one French skier at the top. Also, Sweden’s young star Stina Nilsson made a solid performance, as usual.

See also, the tour’s official homepage: http://skitourcanada.com/en/races/