Swiss skiers in golden form

Dario Cologna wins his second cross-country gold medal at Sochi whilst Sandro Viletta wins the men’s super-combine.

Switzerland's Dario Cologna retains his Vancouver Olympic title in the Sochi men's 15km cross-country [AFP]

Swiss Dario Cologna won his second cross-country skiing gold medal at the Sochi Winter Olympics when he prevailed in the 15km classic.

The Sun was shining in the Spring-like weather with Cologna wearing short sleeves and sunglasses as he cruised to victory.

After winning the skiathlon on Sunday he made a cautious start but was in first place at the 8km mark and his lead never decreased as he went on to became the first skier to win an Olympic 15km race twice in a row.

Swede Johan Olsson won silver and compatriot Daniel Richardsson took the bronze.

Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby, who had been tipped for at least a podium finish, finished in 13th place, according to provisional results.

Meanwhile Cologna’s countryman Sandro Viletta won the men’s super combined gold medal in a combined time of two minutes 45.20 seconds.

Croatia’s Ivica Kostelic took the silver medal, 0.34 seconds back, with Italy’s Christof Innerhofer finishing in the bronze medal position.

Domracheva’s second gold

Darya Domracheva of Belarus picked up her second gold medal of the Sochi Olympics when she blew away the opposition in the biathlon 15km individual race.

Domracheva, who won the pursuit on Tuesday, made one mistake at the shooting range but it hardly mattered as she produced a dominant display on the skis.

Swiss Selina Gasparin shot clean but had to settle for silver, a massive one minute 15.7 seconds behind the winner, while another Belarusian, Nadezhda Skardino, claimed the bronze, 1:38.2 off the pace.

 

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Source: Reuters