How fast do you think Bjorn Andersson can go on this course??
Espen, Norway
That’s an awesom old-school course. Point to point. Logistically a hassle/night-mare, but very inspirational and challenging. You HAVE to get from A to B.
As for the big guy, I hope that he can renew/refresh things for himself, because, and I say this with all due respect, things seem to be at a low ebb for him. Sometimes getting away to a remote, somewhat low-profle race like this can really be a positive thing for an athlete. Get’s you back to basics and allows one to reflect on things a bit more.
Fleck
That last climb on the bike prior to the run looks brutal. I would be curious to hear what gearing Bjorn is planning on using.
Last year the winning time was 11:30:08 by the men’s winner Rune Høydahl and 13:15:20 by the ladies winner Trude Andersen. In 2003 it was slower with the men’s winner Christian Houge-Thiis 12:48:28. I do not know if it was tougher conditions in 2003 or if the field was stronger in 2004 but either way barring something crazy on race day I picture Mr. Andersson going under the course record on this difficult course, maybe 10:30. He is probably the fittest athlete to try this course so I imagine him having a lonley day off of the front.
I did this event last year…oh boy that bike is brutal, the first climb is the worst basically 40k from bottom to top, 22% in places, poor road surface for lots of it, the hills on the second half are reasonable , more gradual climbs than steep , the course is very exposed on top of the Hardangervidda Plateau, we had snow last year.
The big task is the run, the first ahlf is pretty flat, the it goes up and up, the road averages 18%, the last 4.5km is a mountain path and needs scrambling over rocks, but the views are spectacular.
Bjorn will lead Rune Hoydhal after the swim and never look back, he will win by 30 minutes…or thats my prediction anyway
You guys are forgetting that Rune Hoydahl is a total stud. Did this guy not win several MTB World Cups in his day. At the pointy end of World Cup XC MTB racing, it is all about power to weight ratio. Something tells me that if Rune shows up, Bjorn will have a tough go at beating him. Just look at the last part of the run. This is not about running. Its about the man who can haul his own mass up a virtual cliff without blowing too badly. Good luck to all that are doing this race, including Bjorn !
Dev
Maybe this is a stupid question - with no aid stations on the bike, how do you carry enough food & drink for a ride this long?
You fellers do know that Rune Hoydhal used to kick some serious ass on the World Cup pro MTB circuit, right?
Nothing against Bjorn (I dunno how to get the cool umlaut up there on top of the o, sorry), I think he’s quite awesome, but I’m gonna hafta go w/ the proven talent here.
I know we all like to be a bunch of homers and root for our fellow ST’ers, but Bjorn still hasn’t quite put it all together yet. Obviously Hoydahl has. As always I wish our big guy good luck, but the smart $'s on Rune (assuming he’s in good form).
Ask Lance what he thinks of the strength and skills of the top MTB’ers…
They can have support crews on the road kind of like in RAAM I believe.
H
you must have at least one support crew, I agree with the thoughts re Hoydhal havingg witnessed on video his exploits of last year, I still think that Bjorn may just have enough to lead the swim and then be able to power on the flats and downhills, there are a lot of long gradual downhills where I think that Bjorn’s added weight may benefit him, the critical part will be the last half marathon, if his run lacks in any way he will be blown out the water…I still think he can get enough of a lead until the last 13 miles
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…they need a half norseman for the rest of us mere mortals !
No…go for the full one , the views are worth the pain
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I’ll be there this year to support a friend who’s doing his first triathlon since several years.
I guess Bjorn will face some serious competition.
Florian
“They can have support crews on the road kind of like in RAAM I believe.”
Bjorn was Jonas’ crew for Ultraman so I would expect to see Jonas returning the favor for Noresman.
Dave
Unfortunately not as Jonas hopefully will kick ass at the ITU long course worlds the same day in Denmark. I’ll try and convince one of my Norwegian friends to crew for me instead. Unless anyone on the board feels inclined to purchase a plane ticket to Scandinavia and help me out 
Hope you had a good race in WF btw Dave.
Bjorn, I’d love to crew this event, but I think I might bonk just being crew ! All kidding aside, its been since 1975 since I was last in Oslo and I would love to go back to Norway, but other parental responsibilities (including coaching my son’s soccer team), will keep me on the ground in Ottawa. Eventaully there will be a trip to Finland-Sweden-Norway to knock off the Finlandia Hihto, Vasaloppet and Birkiebeiner
Can I get you to come out to Ottawa for the Ottawa Ironman on Sep 3rd ? Its flat and fast and you can likely go sub 4:15 on the bike alone. If you are interested, we can try and work a way to get you here and do our local Ironman (www.somersault.ca). What do ya say !
Dev
In Reply To Unfortunately not as Jonas hopefully will kick ass at the ITU long course worlds the same day in Denmark. I’ll try and convince one of my Norwegian friends to crew for me instead. Unless anyone on the board feels inclined to purchase a plane ticket to Scandinavia and help me out
Hope you had a good race in WF btw Dave.
It was a good day but at my speed “race” isn’t the best word to use.
Dave
Have a good one Bjorn. A different style of race should make a refreshing change. Any expectations or just out to enjoy the day ?
What date is it on? The competitors list on the site gives it as 2nd May, 2005!
I thought Ragnar was supporting you Bjorn??
Thanks for the offer but I’m already signed up for Ironman Wisconsin 2 weeks later which also gives me a bit more recovery after Norseman. Some other year maybe…