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Alexander Bolshunov won his third Olympic gold medal on Saturday in a 30-kilometer mass start cross-country ski event that had to be delayed and shortened due to high winds and cold temperatures.
In the last kilometre, the Russian was part of a five-man breakout. He surged ahead on the last ascent into the stadium, winning in 1 hour, 11 minutes, 32.7 seconds.
Ivan Yakimushkin of Russia grabbed silver 5.5 seconds later, and Simen Hegstad Krueger of Norway claimed bronze, 7 seconds later.
At the Beijing Olympics, Bolshunov also won gold in the skiathlon and the relay. He finished second in the 15-kilometer classic ski race and third in the team sprint.
With around 7.9 kilometres to go, World Cup leader Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo slid off the rear of the lead group about 33 minutes into the race, removed his bib, and walked off the tracks.
The race’s start, which was initially intended to be 50 kilometres long, was delayed by an hour due to weather conditions. The temperature was hovering around zero degrees.
According to the International Ski Federation, the decision was made “in order to decrease the length of exposure of skiers in hazardous circumstances.”
The athletes have suffered as a result of the bitter weather. Most used tape to shield their faces from the wind, and several had ice around their mouths at the conclusion.
