Lind confirms superiority

ByEurosport

Published 22/02/2006 at 13:45 GMT

Bjoern Lind of Sweden won gold on Wednesday after timing his attack to perfection in the men's cross-country 1.4km sprint, while Canadian 22-year old Chandra Crawford largely held off a last-minute charge by Germany's Claudia Kuenzel to claim gold in the

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino SP 1.4 km F Final - Bjoern Lind

Image credit: Reuters

The Swede won his second gold medal of the Games following a gold in the team sprint. Frenchman Roddy Darragon claimed silver and Sweden's Thobias Fredriksson took bronze.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino SP 1.4 km F Final - Bjoern Lind

Image credit: Reuters

With the victory Lind offered Sweden their third cross-country gold.

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Cristian Zorzi of Italy came fourth in the final just missing out of a medal.

Bjoern Lind was in control of the final from the off, setting a blistering pace only to slow it down to a near standstill on the hairpin bend at the top of the climb.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino SP 1.4 km F Final - Bjoern Lind

Image credit: Reuters

After pulling out of the traffic jam at the top of the climb Lind then proceeded to accelerate until a final injection of pace completely ripped the race apart.

It was clear that nobody was going to catch him down the final straight as the impressive Swede romped to victory claiming his second gold of the Games.

The battle for silver had started within the final 100 metres.

Thobias Fredriksson of Sweden had managed to get himelf into second after lurking at the back of the foursome for the majority of the race.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino SP 1.4 km F Final - Bjoern Lind and Thobias Fredriksson

Image credit: Reuters

But Frenchman Darragon burst into action with 50 metres to the line and overtook the Swede to claim silver.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino SP 1.4 km F Final - Men's sprint podium

Image credit: Reuters

Fredriksson held on for bronze as Zorzi was in not position to challenge for the podium by then.

CRAWFORD OUTSHINES COMPATRIOT

22-year old Crawford started her final race fluidly with compatriot Beckie Scott on her tails, but the experienced Kuenzel was never far behind.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino Germany 1.4km W Sprint Q Kuenzel Crawford

Image credit: dpa

Kuenzel made her move on the hairpin bend and took the lead, but Crawford reacted immediately and changed gears on the final climb and looked ahead to use the descent as a gap-opener.

CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING 2005-2006 Torino SP 1.2 km F Final - Chandra Crawford

Image credit: Reuters

Her move paid dividends as she worked herself into a major lead over Kuenzel and the chasing Sidko.

Crawford held her lead down the final straight - despite Kuenzel finding a little extra force to push for the line - to claim her first Olympic title of her career.

Kuenzel powered past Alena Sidko to claim her second silver of the Games - she sprinted to second place for the German team in the relay.

"I am very satisfied, because this Chandra Crawford was really strong. And there's no shame to have lost against her. But I am happy that I beat Beckie [Scott], and [Alena] Sidko because they are really good sprinters. So, it was a good day, and I am satisfied," said the German silver medallist.

Russia's Sidko claimed the bronze medal while Canadian Beckie Scott just didn't have enough left in her and crossed the line fourth.

Defending Olympic women's sprint champion Russia's Julija Tchepalova didn't make it out of the first round of sprints while reigning men's Olympic sprint champion Tor Arne Hetland of Norway literally crashed out of the semi-finals when he tripped over the skis of Lind.

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