Vancouver 2010
March 1, 2010
Top favorite Petter Northug from Norway dominated the last cross country race of the Winter Games to win the men's Olympic 50 km cross country race, beating Germany's Axel Teichmann at the finish line.
Northug attacked as the skiers entered the stadium and sprinted past Teichmann for a spectacular last gasp finish to snatch gold. The Norwegian finished in two hours five minutes 35.5 seconds, 0.3 seconds ahead of Teichmann.
"I knew that if I stayed with him I could beat him in the stadium," Northug told reporters.
Sweden's Johan Olsson came third in a race marred by treacherous weather conditions, which made the going slippery and caused several crashes. Switzerland's Dario Cologna was in contention for the bronze when he slipped and fell on the last bend.
Team player
All eyes were on Northug who was expected to win more silverware at the Vancouver Games. He disappointed in the 15 km and 30 km events and could only win bronze in the individual sprint. He also won a team gold and a team silver.
The 24-year-old was happy to stay in the leading pack for virtually the entire race. Slowly but surely the Norwegian staked his claim for the gold, moving up to the front and by the end of the race was well prepared when Teichmann made his move on the final hill.
"My plan was to stay in the group and attack on the last hill," Northug said.
Teichmann's silver was Germany's 30th medal of the Vancouver Games, improving on the 2006 Turin Games performance with ten gold, 13 silver and seven bronze medals.
nrt/dpa/Reuters
Editor: John Kluempers