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Finally gold for Vylegzhanin at World Championships - UPDATED
Maxim Vylegzhanin has brought Russia it's first medal of the 2015 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, winning the gold medal in the 30 km Skiathlon. As he did in the last Skiathlon World Cup competition in Rybinsk in late January, Vylegzhanin showed his strength over the last one kilometer to hold off 2014 Olympic Skiathlon champion Dario Cologna of Switzerland who took the silver medal today. In the bronze medal position and on the podium for the second time in these championships was Canada's Alex Harvey. Just 1.6 seconds separated the gold, silver and bronze medals.
He has been somewhat of an “eternal” runner-up. But finally Russian Maxim Vylegzhanin got his gold by beating Switzerland’s Dario Cologna and Canadian Alex Harvey into second and third places.
In the ladies’ skiathlon the field broke apart immediately. But in the men’s race, a large group kept together in the lead well into the race. One or two competitors were left behind for each lap that passed. But by the last lap, there were still a dozen skiers left in the lead.
On the killer hill on the last lap, reigning champion Dario Cologna put in an attack, joined by Russian Maxim Vylegzhanin and Norwegian Didrik Tønseth. And on the way into the sprint slopes, Alex Harvey had caught up with the leaders again.
Vylegzhanin is taking part in his fourth World Championships and has already taken three silvers, and also won three silver medals at the Olympics in Sochi.
Skiathon World Champion 2015 - Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS
“So I finally got my gold. I’m so happy, I have no words for it,” says Vylegzhanin who was the strongest at the finish. Cologna chased him for the final yards but couldn’t catch up. “I tried everything, but Maxim was very strong at the finish. I think I skied a very good tactical race. I am very happy that I managed to take a medal. It was a good start to the championship,” said Cologna.
On the final stretch Vylegzhanin was strongest and Cologna finished second. The Canadian Harvey who won silver in the sprint became the first skier in this year’s World Championships to take two medals. This time it was bronze.
Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS
“It’s just crazy. Before that I had only got two medals overall in the World Championships. Now I have taken two medals in three days. I’ve had fantastic skis. I was strong in the classical part, and in the skate I kept up front to keep the speed down,” says Harvey.
Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson finished well but couldn’t catch up the top four, finally finishing sixth.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - Men's 30 km Skiathlon
1. VYLEGZHANIN Maxim 1982 RUS 1:16:25.9
2. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI +0.4
3. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +1.6
4. TOENSETH Didrik 1991 NOR +3.4
5. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA +10.2
He has been somewhat of an “eternal” runner-up. But finally Russian Maxim Vylegzhanin got his gold by beating Switzerland’s Dario Cologna and Canadian Alex Harvey into second and third places.
In the ladies’ skiathlon the field broke apart immediately. But in the men’s race, a large group kept together in the lead well into the race. One or two competitors were left behind for each lap that passed. But by the last lap, there were still a dozen skiers left in the lead.
On the killer hill on the last lap, reigning champion Dario Cologna put in an attack, joined by Russian Maxim Vylegzhanin and Norwegian Didrik Tønseth. And on the way into the sprint slopes, Alex Harvey had caught up with the leaders again.
Vylegzhanin is taking part in his fourth World Championships and has already taken three silvers, and also won three silver medals at the Olympics in Sochi.
Skiathon World Champion 2015 - Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS
“So I finally got my gold. I’m so happy, I have no words for it,” says Vylegzhanin who was the strongest at the finish. Cologna chased him for the final yards but couldn’t catch up. “I tried everything, but Maxim was very strong at the finish. I think I skied a very good tactical race. I am very happy that I managed to take a medal. It was a good start to the championship,” said Cologna.
On the final stretch Vylegzhanin was strongest and Cologna finished second. The Canadian Harvey who won silver in the sprint became the first skier in this year’s World Championships to take two medals. This time it was bronze.
Maxim Vylegzhanin RUS
“It’s just crazy. Before that I had only got two medals overall in the World Championships. Now I have taken two medals in three days. I’ve had fantastic skis. I was strong in the classical part, and in the skate I kept up front to keep the speed down,” says Harvey.
Sweden’s Calle Halfvarsson finished well but couldn’t catch up the top four, finally finishing sixth.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - Men's 30 km Skiathlon
1. VYLEGZHANIN Maxim 1982 RUS 1:16:25.9
2. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI +0.4
3. HARVEY Alex 1988 CAN +1.6
4. TOENSETH Didrik 1991 NOR +3.4
5. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA +10.2
Source: fis-ski.com
