CROSS COUNTRY SKIING Preview: Can anyone stop Therese Johaug in Davos?

The story of the 2018-19 Cross Country World Cup has been the return of 2014 and 2016 World Cup champion Therese Johaug of Norway.

Kept out of the PyeongChang Winter Games because of a doping suspension due to the use of a steroid-laced lip balm (!), Johaug has won four of the six events in tour so far and three straight.

This week’s program in Davos (SUI) includes:

15 December: Men’s and Women’s 1.4 km Freestyle Sprint
16 December: Women’s 10 km Freestyle and Men’s 15 km Freestyle

Johaug has won both of the 10 km races held so far, but she’s no Sprint ace. Those races have been taken by Yulia Belorukova (RUS, Classical) and Jonna Sundling (SWE, Freestyle). Look for the U.S. as possible medalists in the Freestyle Sprint, with Sadie Bjornsen already owning a bronze from the Freestyle Sprint in Lillehammer and Olympic gold medalist Jessica Diggins rounding into shape.

Russia’s 21-year-old Alexander Bolshunov is the surprise leader in the men’s World Cup standings through six of the 29 races, with 361 points to 329 for Sjur Roethe (NOR). Both have won twice so far; Bolshunov taking a Classical Sprint and 15 km Classical race in Ruka and Roethe winning a 15 km Freestyle and 30 km Freestyle. The other Sprint was won by Italy’s Federico Pellegrino.

Last year’s leader, Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) is currently seventh with 180 points.

Look for results here.