February 25, 2015 (Falun, SWE) – Despite having only one World Cup start behind him this season, in Ostersund 10 days ago, Sweden’s Johan Olsson crushed the competition today in Falun with a decisive victory in the men’s 10km FR individual.

”It was a good race, maybe the best skating race of my career,” commented Olsson who had an early start number due to his absence from the World Cup which was an advantage on this wet day in Falun.

Because of Olsson’s absence from the World Cup scene he had an early start number which was an advantage on this wet day in Falun. Some skiers were disappointed that the start order was not changed due to the weather conditions. Dario Cologna (SUI), who finished 18th with bib #71, was really annoyed.

Men's 15km FR podium © Nordic Focus

But silver medalist Maurice Manificat in bib #63 did not think it was such a big disadvantage even if it went a “little heavier” on the second lap. ”I like to go when it is wet and I had good skis,” said the Frenchman. Anders Gløersen took third for Norway claiming the bronze.

Canada’s Ivan Babikov was the top North American finishing a solid 20th tweeting, “After a slow start but very good 2nd lap I finished 20th in 15km skate today. Got to work on my pacing.” @IvanBabikov.

Following Babikov were his teammate Graeme Killick in 32nd with the USA’s Noah Hoffman just behind in 34th. American Erik Bjornsen was 47th with teammate Kyle Bratrud 52nd, Canada’s Jesse Cockney finished 57th and the USA’s Kris Freeman was 59th.

Ivan Babikov (CAN) © Nordic Focus

Olsson looked smooth and strong from the get-go as only Russia’s Ustiugov was a bit faster at the 1.5km by 0.4 seconds. After 7.5km Olsson had the second best time at 0.3 seconds behind Manificat. On the second lap Olsson took charge and was the fastest man accelerating up the climbs near the end to win gold with a 17s margin in front of a delighted home crowd.

”Bib #17 was an advantage today, for sure. And I had maybe the best skis in the whole field. I will probably share the medal with my waxer, Mats Eklund, who also waxed Kalla’s skis yesterday. We usually do not agree before the start but today we agreed on which pair of skis to use,” shared Olsson.

With great skis Olsson had a fast start. ”I was aggressive in the beginning but then took it a little bit easier to recover. Soon after I felt that I could just go for it. I wasn’t sure about how my legs would react on race-day but they were strong today and I could fight up the hills and when the crowd was shouting that I was going for gold it helped me a lot.

Olsson (SWE) © Nordic Focus

”Once I stand there and it’s not training, not the Swedish championship, not the World Cup but the World Championship or the Olympics then it’s like a click in my head. When I really get under the gun I can pick up a little extra power”

”Today I felt it went very, very fast and I was able to catch up to Roland Clara, who started 30 meters in front of me. When I came into to the stadium, I finally caught and passed him on the sprint track so I knew it would be good, but you never know how fast the skiers behind me were going.”

Manificat also had a superb day despite the late start number making a charge on the second lap in the wet conditions. But over the final kilometers he could not maintain Olsson’s pace.

”This was a perfect day for me. Sure, the snow was a little soft on the second lap but I like wet conditions. But it’s as much about the fight itself when it’s tough physically,” added the Frenchman.

Bronze medalist Gløersen agreed, ”Sure, it was soft and wet but I had good glide and had to fight hard all the way. In these kind of conditions it is important not to think about the feeling. Just get motivated by the positive coaching along the way,” commented Gløersen who won the 15km at the Davos World Cup in December. The former sprint star has been focusing on this World Championship race all season.

“I have mixed feelings today,” said Babikov who was nine second behind one of the favorites, Cologna. “On the first lap I started really slowly, but I was feeling really good on the second lap. The conditions were challenging with deep slush in some parts but rock solid section in others. I just wish I had felt the same on the first lap.”

Graeme Killick ©

Killick had been sick earlier and was happy overall with his race today. ”The skate isn’t really my strength so the race today was okay for me. I felt like I didn’t blow up as much as I normally do – this was good to get in with the 50km coming on Sunday. I was sick for the Pursuit so this race was my first here in Falun – it’s good prep and was a solid effort,” he added.

The USA’s Hoffman was nine second behind Killick in 34th. ”It was nothing special today. I was hoping for more but didn’t feel bad. I had even feelings through the race but I wasn’t skiing fast enough. It’s been a challenging year and I’m looking to kind of build every race. It was a little bit better maybe than the Skiathlon”.

”Everybody’s skis were slowing down as the race went on. They were great at the beginning but then guys were sliding by me on the second lap with fresh skis. I’m looking forward to the 50km and then the two distance world cups remaining this season. I just need as much racing as possible.”

His teammate Freeman was disappointed after the race. ”I started out and felt quite good for 7km… I thought that I was right were I wanted to be but then I stopped moving. I just started to sink in the snow and I could’t get of my feet and I couldn’t recover.

“My skis were really good. I was just bad and I don’t know why. I don’t know if I’m on the men’s relay team or not, but today was a really bad race. I’m really disappointed.”

Full results here.