Sturla’s Upper Hand

Laegreid's prospects for his first-ever World Cup Total Score title received an unexpected boost when JT finished 10th in the Pokljuka Short Individual and picked up an illness. In his absence, Laegreid’s Pokljuka Mass Start third place, boosted his Yellow Bib lead by 60 points as he went 104 up with three competitions remaining. One victory for Laegreid seals the title; each time he finishes ahead of JT he increases his lead. JT needs at least one victory to stay in the Crystal Globe discussion. A Sprint/Pursuit double throws the final decision to the Mass Start, JT’s “weakest” discipline with no wins and three second places this season. Laegreid has four podiums in the five 2024/25 Mass Starts.

JT’s lack of training, illness, and rest will either leave him full of energy or flat. Laegreid is outshooting JT 92-87% and has been steady on the tracks. Draw your own conclusion, but it seems like there will be “a new sheriff in town” Sunday afternoon.

Franzi and Lou: a toss-up

This is the nail-biter, just 20 points separate the two rivals. Jeanmonnot’s big points in the Nove Mesto Sprint/Pursuit turned the tide and Saturday’s Pokljuka Mass Start win made this extremely interesting. Preuss holds a small margin on the range 92-90%. Jeanmonnot is younger and hold the upper hand on the tracks. Both women have been consistent this season but the French star has seven victories to Preuss’ three. Each has several big failures: Jeanmonnot’s three came at Annecy Le Grand Bornand in December. Preuss struggled in the Oberhof Sprint/Pursuit and two weeks ago in Nove Mesto in the same competitions.