As temperatures rising with increasing sun as the race day wore on, the men’s course was visibly softer and deeper on the corners than the women’s. But racers said the groomers did an excellent job according to gold-medal winner Cologna, at his first Games, who finished in 33:36:3, an astounding 24.6 seconds ahead of Italian Pietro Cottrer Piller who took silver, while recent Tour de Ski winner, Lukas Bauer of the Czech Republic, was happy with the bronze at 35.7 seconds back.
Sweden’s Marcus Hellner who set a brisk pace early on could hold off Bauer to claim fourth place at 37.2 seconds while France’s Vincent Vittoz followed up in fifth at 39.9 seconds. But it was Babikov new Canadian Olympic men’s xc record in 8th place at 53.7 seconds back that was the highlight of the day for many
Cologna, who won the Tour de Ski last year along with the XC World Cup overall, was 6th in the 15km (classic) at the 2009 Nordic Worlds, and had not yet competed at the Olympics. At almost 24 years of age, he made his Olympic debut in Whistler and received extra motivation from another Swiss athlete at the Games. “This is the first gold medal for Switzerland in cross-country skiing. I was watching the results of the downhill while I was warming up and saw Didier (Defago) win in the Men’s Alpine downhill, and was inspired,” said Cologna making him the second Swiss skier to win a gold medal on Sunday. “It was a perfect day for me. Everything worked well, but I did not expect to win the race. I had great skis – I could push the whole 15km,” Cologna said afterwards. “The conditions were not so bad. Of course it is warm here and deep snow, and I like that. It’s good for me. I have a very long step.”
Cottrer Piller spent much of the press conference trying to make up for comments he made at last January’s Whistler World Cup when he said the course was not hard enough. “Last year’s track was different. I was talking about the Pursuit, but today we used also the classic course as well as the skate course. There are quite good hills on it and it was good. Everyone has a lot of problems because of the not good snow. Putting the strongest to start at the beginning was wise. I love Canada. I should come here and use it as my second home. Hopefully that will fix everything now. I was not criticizing.”
Like Cologna, bronze medalist Bauer also felt he would not win a medal today. “I said, ‘Oh no, I have a bad day – no chance for a medal,” said Bauer after the race. “But after the 11 km mark I was feeling better and better – then I heard that I was close and then I really had to try.”
Babikov said he was, “satisfied with top ten. The organizers did an awesome job. The last two days were really, really bad.” He was referring the conditions of the trails which were soaking wet and soggy one day for practice and frozen solid the next. “I will try to stay healthy now. I want to compete in the pursuit, relay, and 50km.” He was asked, once again, what it feels like to compete for Canada, and responded with a great reply. “It’s the same skis, the same poles, the same snow. When you’re skiing out there you’re not thinking about the country you’re skiing for every second. You are a professional. I’m really proud to be Canadian and representing Canada at the Olympics in my home country.”
Alex Harvey also had an excellent finish skiing to a 21st place, 1:19:3 minutes behind. “I felt really strong. Today went exactly according to plan – just as I wished. My personal best was 34th before, so I beat that by quite a bit. Today is good race prep for the 30km event. I won’t be an Olympic rookie anymore.” But Harvey also said that he was “really excited. This is a childhood dream; it’s an emotional day with my father doing commentary on TV and my girlfriend in the stands. Hearing people cheering for me in French and English was very special.”
George Grey was the next best orth American, placing 29th and 1:36:7 back in the field of 81. “I started well, but I lost a little bit in the middle 5km – when I’m in good shape the middle 5km is my strong point. So I’m looking forward to the pursuit and the sprint relay, though I know who is selected comes down to coach’s discretion. After today I think I will be ready. We’re used to pushing ourselves, but when it comes to the last 1 or 2 km, and when you’re running out of energy, it helps to have the crowd.”
Grey also praised his teammates Babikov and Harvey. “Ivan was phenomenal and Alex was the most relaxed guy of all – this is a fun place for sure.” Gordon Jewett rounded out the Canadian finishes with a 52nd place finish, 2:41:6 behind. “On my first lap I started with one of the top Germans because he was going through on his second lap. I thought he would tow me along but I don’t think he was feeling well so I towed him. I felt really controlled and fantastic on the first half of the race, but my legs were tired and the crowd took me home for the last 2km.”
It wasn’t the best day for the American team. Alaska’s James Southam was the top skier at 48th, 2:21:9 minutes behind followed by Garrott Kuzzy in 58th, 3:05:2 minutes back and Kris Freeman uncharacteristically in 59th at the same time. Simeon Hamilton took 64th 3:54:2 back. Only Hamilton was available for comment.
“My race went pretty well and that was my goal going into it. I felt I had a fast first 10km. I was controlled and relaxed, but it was a tough course with technical corners. You’d get 10 seconds of tucks and then you’d be going into a corner.”
Full results here.
Results (brief)
1. Dario Cologna (SUI) 33:36.3
2. Pietro Piller Cottrer (ITA) , +24.6
3. Lukas Bauer (CZE) +35.7
8. Ivan Babikov (CAN) +53.7
21. Alex Harvey (CAN) +1:19.3
29. George Grey (CAN) +2:16.7
48. James Southam (USA) +2:21.9
52. Gord Jewett (CAN) +2:41.6
58. Garrott Kuzzy (USA) +3:05.2
59. Kris Freeman (USA) +3:05.3
64. Simeon Hamilton (USA) +3:54.2