January 13, 2013 (Liberec, CZE) – Russia took no prisoners on their way to victory in the men’s 1.6km Team Sprint in Liberec as Russia II took gold courtesy of Nikolay Morilov with a clear win, while Russia I took home the bronze as Olympic gold medalist Nikita Kriukov edged out a crowd of skiers at the finish.

Kruikov wins Team Sprint bronze

Norway I’s Paal Golberg went for it perhaps too early as Morilov wound it up behind and streaked by him for the win as his teammate Kriukov struck on the outside lane besting Norway II’s Anders Gloeersen and a valiant Ales Razym, the local favourite from the Czech Republic.

It was Norway, Russia, and Italy who were the main protagonists throughout the race seeming to control the tempo as the others nudged their authority from time to time.

The action started to heat up on the penultimate leg as Alexey Petukhov, who was leading suddenly went down… it was suspected that Oeystein Pettersen’s (NOR) ski crossed Petukhov’s from behind. Then Tim Tscharnke from Germany took over the lead but he was shadowed closely by the others as Dusan Kozisek (CZE) moved up as well along with France’s Cyril Gaillard, but a broken pole shattered the French team’s chances.

On the final leg the Czechs were ready to play their hand as Razym took over the lead from Norway while Russia, Italy and Germany formed the posse behind. Razym looked very strong but the clock was ticking and he couldn’t hold off the charging pack as the pace began to reach feverish levels as Golberg passed him and took over the lead.

Morilov was marking all moves behind and when they hit the finishing straight he was in overdrive rocketing past the Norwegian as his compatriot Kriukov surprised the remaining contenders streaking up the outside lane for the final podium spot.

(middle left) USA's Simi Hamilton (#5-1) looking to tag Andy Newell (#5-2) © Nordic Focus

Both American squads were shut out as USA I consisting of Andy Newell and Simi Hamilton finished 13th while Erik Bjornsen and Skyler Davis (USA II) were 27th. No Canadians competed. Newell and Hamilton were in the hunt during the qualifications but misfortune took them out of the running.

“Today was a beautiful day of racing here. Sun was out and the track was in great shape which made sprinting on this very long course more enjoyable. The course skated very well and there was enough room to make passes when you wanted to so it was a fair sprint,” said Newell via email.

“I thought Simi and I raced we’ll and we both felt pretty good. We were trying to ski relaxed and definitely save it for the last lap or two – which we did. Our heat started out conservative and the pace picked up toward the end. Simi did get spun around which cost us a little but if time and a few places before the last tag.

“I felt strong enough to get past both Finland and Sweden before the finish. When we crossed the line we were about 1.5 sec from the lead so I thought for sure it would be good enough for a lucky loser spot. Unfortunately the next heat was able to crank up the pace. They were for sure able to get splits off of our heat which probably helped. Looking forward to the next one.”

Skyler Davis (USA) in action... © Nordic Focus

Hamilton was disappointed as an unlucky crash in front forced him off pace and then they were playing catch up making it a tough day on the skis but their effort up to point was notably good.

“Andy and I were having a great semifinal until right before I tagged off to him for his last leg. The entire race, we sat comfortably in 3rd or 4th. It was important to get a good draft on such a long course with some really long straight-aways. I felt like we were both making very good, tactical moves to keep our position and we were both relaxed,” Hamilton explained to SkiTrax.

“On the last corner right before the tag zone, I was in 3rd or 4th when Strandval hooked a v-board and went down about 2 feet in front of me. I did my best to avoid going down with him, but unfortunately my skis tangled underneath him and I got spun 180. I did end up saving myself from going down, but we probably lost about 5+ seconds on the leaders once I got myself sorted out.

“Newell skied a good last leg to get us back into 5th, but unfortunately there was a little too much scrappiness going on at the start of our semi and our heat ended up being about 10 seconds slower than the 2nd heat. All the LL came from semi #2. It was for sure a disappointing and unlucky end to our day, but I think we skied well and we’ll just be more fired up for the next team sprint in Sochi.”

Men’s results HERE.
Men’s results detail HERE.