Olympics Men’s 15 km + 15 km Skiathlon medal results, highlights and more

Norway swept the podium in the men’s 15 km + 15 km skiathlon in Pyeongchang. Here’s how things transpired in the cross-country race at the Winter Olympics.

Scandinavian women swept the podium in the women’s skiathlon. A day later, Norway showed why it has traditionally been the most dominant cross-country ski among the trio. Norwegian skiers went first, second, and third in the men’s 30-kilometer skiathlon on Sunday evening in Pyeongchang.

Featuring 15 kilometers of classic and 15 kilometers of freestyle, the skiathlon tests the versatility of cross-country skiers in both traditional and modern skiing techniques. And in 2018, Norway showed why it is both historically and currently the top Nordic skiing country in the world.

MEDAL RESULT | Cross-country: Men's 15 km + 15 km skiathlon

Simen Hegstad Krüger

Martin Johnsrud Sundby

Hans Christer Holund

Krüger nearly saw his shot at gold wiped out before the race really even began in earnest. The Norwegian skier crashed into Andrey Larkov and Denis Spitsov, two Russians competing under the Olympic flag, at the very first gate of the course. From a maximum deficit of 38 seconds, Krüger clawed his way back through the field.

Meanwhile, Martin Johnsrud Sundby and his compatriot Hans Christer Holund alternated time at the front through the first 20 kilometers of the 30-kilometer race. With around five kilometers remaining in the race, Krüger finally caught up to the front.

Krüger then immediately broke clear on a solo breakaway. Sundby and Holund fell behind by as many as 23 seconds before pulling back the gap. The duo finished within 10 seconds of their determined countryman.

But the 24-year-old Krüger was not about to give up his gold medal after working so hard to get in position for the win. Kicking fiercely through the final kilometers, Krüger finished eight seconds ahead of Sundby and 9.9 seconds ahead of Holund. Sundby, the 2014 bronze medalist, moved a step up the podium but could not claim the ultimate prize.

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The Norwegian sweep in the skiathlon left nothing for the other countries in the competition. Finishing just off the podium was Spitsov, one of the two Russians who crashed with Krüger early in the race. Like his Norwegian counterpart, Spitsov put in an impressive and gritty performance to claw his way back into medal contention.

Rounding out the top five was France’s Maurice Manificat. The top American was Scott Patterson, who finished 67.5 seconds behind Krüger’s winning time.