Champion Simen Hegstad Krueger (C), second-placed Martin Johnsrud Sundby (L) and third-placed Hans Christer Holund, all from Norway, pose for photos during the medal ceremony of men's 15km+15km skiathlon event of cross-country skiing at 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at the Medal Plaza in PyeongChang, South Korea, on Feb. 11, 2018. (Xinhua/Lui Siu Wai)
PYEONGCHANG, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Norway made a cleansweep of the podium of the men's skiathlon of 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games at the Alpensia cross-country skiing center here on Sunday.
Simen Hegstad Krueger came first in a time of one hour, 16 minutes and 20 seconds in an event combining 15 km classic and 15 km freestyle skiing.
"It is an indescribable feeling. It is an amazing day but it started in the worst way with the fall after the first 100 meters and a broken pole," said Krueger, who won the 15 km freestyle in a World Cup race in Toblach, Italy, on 16 December 2017.
The 24-year-old Krueger, who crashed on the first lap, stormed back with a strong intermediate sprint 4 km before the finish line to win his Olympic debut.
"I was completely last in the group so I had to start the race again and switch focus to catch up with the guys. When I did it I was saying to myself, 'OK, take one lap, two laps, three laps and just get into it again, and try to do it on the final lap' ," Krueger added.
His compatriots Martin Johnsrud Sundby and Hans Christer Holund took the silver in 1:16:28 and bronze 1:16:29 respectively.
It was Norway's 13th medal sweep at Winter Olympics, of which five were in a cross-country skiing events.
