Winter Olympics: Norway extend lead with another gold in Nordic Combined
February 17, 2022 02:27 MYT
Norway extended their lead atop the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics medal table with another gold in the Nordic Combined on Thursday.
Erik Valnes and Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo secured gold in the men's cross-country skiing sprint event on Wednesday, and a day later Norway took first place in the men's team Gundersen large hill/4x5km race.
Norway had suffered the blow of being without Jarl Magnus Riiber due to coronavirus, but the team led by four-time Olympic champion Joergen Graabak ultimately coasted to a comfortable win just under 55 seconds ahead of Germany.
Although that was Norway's only medal of any kind on the day, it was enough to increase their lead to four over 10-gold Germany, who – like the United States in third (eight) – did not get any event wins on Thursday.
It was a good day for Canada as well, who beat USA 3-2 in the women's ice hockey final to clinch their fourth gold.
They also took silver in the women's ski cross big final through Marielle Thompson while Sweden's Sandra Naeslund claimed gold, moving them up to fourth ahead of hosts China.
The Russian Olympic Committee had a bittersweet conclusion in the women's figure skating singles. They took gold and silver with Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova, respectively, but 15-year-old Kamila Valieva finished outside the medals despite leading the standings after Tuesday's short program routine.
What a display! Norway come out on top and win the #NordicCombined - team Gundersen large hill/4x5km, cross-country #Gold medal! Congratulations! #Beijing2022 | #StrongerTogether pic.twitter.com/i1rqLZwRie
— Olympics (@Olympics) February 17, 2022
Switzerland stayed one clear of the Russians and moved level on six golds with Austria and the Netherlands when Michelle Gisin took the women's Alpine combined slalom ahead of compatriot Wendy Holdener.
And the final gold of the day went to Japan and Miho Takagi, who finally got the victory she wanted after three silvers at these Games.
She emerged victorious in the women's 1,000 metres speed skating, setting a new Olympic record of one minute, 13.19 seconds.
Medal table:
1. Norway (G14 S7 B8, Total: 29)