Switzerland star Cologna claims 2nd gold medal
Print Edition
Switzerland’s Dario Cologna yesterday won his second gold of the Sochi Olympics and underlined his supremacy in cross country skiing with a dominant performance in the men’s 15km classic.
After a steady start, Cologna took the time trial race by the scruff of the neck from the middle section and was able to punch the air in triumph as he crossed the line.
He finished in 38min 29.7sec, a colossal 28.5sec ahead of his nearest challenger Johan Olsson of Sweden who took silver. Daniel Richardsson, also of Sweden, won the bronze in 39min 8.5sec.
The race once again took place in warm conditions of up to 12 degrees Celsius that made the going tough on soft snow and prompted many athletes, including Cologna, to race in T-shirts.
Cologna’s gold is his second in Sochi after his win in the skiathlon that mixes both the classic and freestyle.
He said his triumphs in Sochi were particularly special after he tore a ligament in his ankle in November, which forced him to miss a crucial training period.
“It’s amazing. I couldn’t believe the first gold medal, after being injured, and now the second,” said Cologna, 27.
“It was the perfect race. I knew it would be hard and I was prepared for it,” said Cologna.
It is his third Olympic gold after he also won the 15km in Vancouver 2010 which was run as a freestyle event.
For once in a nordic event, Norway were absent from the podium with its highest finisher Chris Andre Jespersen coming in just sixth.
The Norwegian team rested its fearsome superstar Petter Northug for the event after his disappointing results at the start of the Games.
Jespersen caused a minor stir in the race by wearing shorts to cope with the hot weather, an unusual kit choice for a winter athlete but hardly surprising in the temperatures.
In women’s curling, China boosted its record to 3-2 after needing only eight of the allotted 10 ends to pummel South Korea 11-3. The win keeps China in the hunt for a berth in the semifinals.
Britain set an Olympic record by stealing five points in one end en route to a 12-3 win over Japan. The British are also 3-2.
In men’s hockey, the Czech Republic (1-1) defeated Latvia 4-2. Sweden, Finland and Canada, all medal contenders, were scheduled to play late last night.
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