Olympic Preview

Cross-country skiing season preview
CTVOlympics.ca
By Jack Sasseville, CTVOlympics.ca Posted Friday, November 20, 2009 10:27 AM ET
The cross-country ski season kicks off on Saturday in Beitostolen, Norway, as skiers compete in the first of eight World Cups before the 2010 Olympic Games.
Olympic analyst and former national team coach Jack Sasseville weighs in on what to expect and who to look out for on the World Cup circuit this season.
Who are the top contenders to watch going into the 2009-2010 World Cup season?
Sasseville: For the men in distance it is Petter Northug of Norway, Pietro Piller-Cottrer of Italy, and Anders Soedegren of Sweden.
For the men in sprints it is Ola Viggen Hattestad of Norway, Emil Jonsson of Sweden and Fabio Pasini of Italy.
For the women in distance it is Charlotta Kalla of Sweden, Justina Kowalcyk of Poland, Krista Stormer Steira of Norway. Also Virpi Kuitunen and Aino Kaisa Saarinen from Finland.
For the women in sprint it is Petra Majdic of Slovenia, Arianna Folis of Italy and Kikkan Randall of the US.
What Canadians have the strongest chance to win World Cup medals this season?
Sasseville: Devon Kershaw, Ivan Babikov, Alex Harvey, Sara Renner and Chandra Crawford.
What up and coming Canadian skiers should we be looking out for?
Sasseville: Harvey broke into the World Cup as a first year senior last year. Perianne Jones has made the Olympic qualifying standard and Len Valjas had two top 10s at the World Under 23 Championships.
Canadian skiers are calling this the strongest team the country has ever fielded. Do you agree, and what makes this team superior to others?
Sasseville: I do agree because this is the first time since the early 1990s that there is both a strong men's and women's team. There is depth in both genders in all categories of distance and sprints.
Who will be Canada's biggest competition on the World Cup circuit this year?
Sasseville: The traditional Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, and Finland along with Italy and Russia and Germany. Many other countries have one or two individuals who can win medals. It is a very balanced field.
What are the chances Sarah Renner and Chandra Crawford will make repeat appearances to the podium at the 2010 Games?
Sasseville: They have the strongest chance for a medal for the Canadian team in the team sprints at the Olympics if Chandra can overcome her injuries. Chandra is best at skating and Sara is a former silver medallist in this event.

--copied from the ctvolympics.ca site by coach richard