February 13, 2018 (PyeongChang, South Korea) – Canada’s Lenny Valjas, 26, delivered a superb 7th-place finish in the men’s Sprint CL as Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR), 21, became the youngest Olympic champion in dominant style.

Federico Pellegrino (ITA) chased down Alexander Bolshunov (OAR) in the final straight to claim the silver as Bolshunov settled for bronze.

Simi Hamilton led the U.S. men finishing 20th after a quarterfinal crash that sent him to the back of the pack. Erik Bjornsen made the heats as weil but did not advance past the quarter finals to finish 25th on the day.

Alex Harvey (Can) placed 32nd followed by fellow Canuck Jesse Cockney in 35th. Andy Newell (USA) was 37th, Reese Hanneman (USA) finished 51st followed Russell Kennedy (Can) in 55th.

“Yes disappointing not to have my day out there,” said Newell. “Conditions were challenging with strong wind and snow in the tracks but it was tough for everybody. I struggled to find good feeling on the snow both with skis and and body so in the end it just wasn’t fast enough to make qualification.”

The sprint final heats were raced under the lights at the Alpensia Ski Centre. In his quarter final Valjas was in 6th but moved up on the final downhill and into the stadium to finish 3rd advancing as a Lucky Loser. He used the same strategy in his semi but came up short  finished 7th overall.

Klaebo surpassed Sweden’s Gunde Svan, who at 22, won the men’s 15km Classic at the 1984 Olympic Winter Games in Sarajevo. “That’s cool,” said Klaebo.

“I have not slept good for a few days, now the shoulders are low and I can have focus on what is coming next. For sure I am going to celebrate this one,” he concluded.

Qualifications here
Final results here