Tove Alexandersson, Sweden has a commanding lead in the women’s standings, but there are three athletes in serious contention for the men’s title at the finals in Prague next month. Switzerland has a small lead in the Team World Cup.
Natalia Gemperle, Russia has a mathematically remote chance of being the 2018 women’s champion, but with a gap of 292 points down from Alexandersson she has no realistic hope. Alexandersson has dominated the season’s results with 5 victories and 2 second places from the 8 counting races so far. Marika Teini, Finland is in current third place, 70 points down on Gemperle.
The men’s list is far more open with last year’s winner Matthias Kyburz, his Swiss compatriot Daniel Hubmann and the Norwegian Olav Lundanes all still in contention for the title. In the recent round in Norway, Lundanes got the best results of the three on home ground, whilst Kyburz pulled slightly away from Hubmann. Just 45 points separates first from third. All three have two victories to their name this season.
In the Team World Cup with one race in the Czech Republic remaining, Switzerland holds a narrow lead over Norway and Sweden, both challengers scoring better than the Swiss in the latest races.
The final round, centred on Prague from 4th to 7th October, consists of two Sprints and a Middle race.
Leading World Cup scores after Norway round
Women
- Tove Alexandersson SWE 690 points
- Natalia Gemperle RUS 398
- Marika Teini FIN 328
- Karolin Ohlsson SWE 305
- Maja Alm DEN 275
- Sabine Hauswirth SUI 271
Men
- Matthias Kyburz SUI 470
- Daniel Hubmann SUI 445
- Olav Lundanes NOR 425
- Gustav Bergman SWE 287
- Ruslan Glibov UKR 277
- Eskil Kinneberg NOR 260
Team World Cup
- Switzerland 635
- Norway 590
- Sweden 583
- Czech Republic 347
- Finland 331
- Russia 317