Several victories in the World Cup races, three having the lead in the overall standings. The season has so far been outstanding for Team Rottefella.
In danger of becoming too self-satisfied, we think we are entitled to be proud of ourselves. Our team athletes have dominated the world cup races in cross-country as well as biathlon this winter.
New generation of biathletes
The new star in biathlon is Tarjei Bø. The 22 year old Norwegian has taken four individual World Cup victories and always been among the best. He also anchored the winning team of Norway in the relay in Hochfilzen in December. His results have been rewarded with overall lead in the World Cup, but he is seriously threatened by another Norwegian, Emil Hegle Svendsen. Both ski on Rottefella.
Swedish girl on top
We also have the overall lead in the Women’s Cup, by the Swedish Helena Ekholm. She could raise the crystal ball – the proof of being best in the world through a whole season – in 2009, and has made a goal to repeat that achievement this year. Ekholm is of course one of the favorites when the biathletes will compete for the World Champs medals in Khanty-Mansiysk in March.
Cross-country dominance
We stand out among those leaving the rifle behind too. Heading for the main goal of the season, where several points will be handed out, Dario Cologna is in the lead in the overall cup. He can’t feel too safe though, as Petter Northug, Lukas Bauer and Alexander Legkov all will push hard to close up the gap the Swiss made during Tour de Ski.
Almost unbeatable
She chose to stay home when the rest of the cross-country elite struggled through just Tour de Ski. But when Marit Bjørgen has hit the starting list, she has been outstanding. “I’m in better shape than ever before”. We’ve heard the phrase over and over again this winter. Full of self-confidence, she’s been able to celebrate the victory a hundred meter before the finish line, knowing nobody can touch her that day. That day either.
Spaced skating
Have you seen the little pink appliance on Bjørgen’s binding? It’s called Xcelerator Skate spacer and was introduced at the ISPO in February. You might as well say it has introduced itself long before the exhibition, as an eye-catching detail seen on the television broadcastings from World Cup competitions the last month.
One step ahead
The Skate spacer is a development of the Rottefella Xcelerator, the new big thing on the binding’s market this fall. Our designers don’t rest too long, and show it’s still possible to improve good bindings to becoming even better. Such thinking brings victories.