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"Mr. Championship" Johan Olsson is golden in 15 km free - UPDATED
Two years ago Johan Olsson of Sweden stunned the Cross-Country World with his solo attack and ultimate 50 km win in Val di Fiemme 2013. Today, he thrilled the home crowd with another World Championship gold medal, but this time in the 15 km free technique competition. The same event he took the silver medal in back in 2013. Olsson arrived at the finish line in a time of 35:01.6 with bib 17 and sat successfully in the leader's chair until the race was completed with bib 86. In second place was France's Maurice Manificat +17.8 and just behind him in third was Anders Gloeersen of Norway +19.2.
Falun 2015 15 km F podium - men
Source: falun2015.com
“Unreal. It feels crazy,” says a jubilant world champion. Johan Olsson doesn’t race often. But when he does, he does it wonderfully well.
Today he stepped into the World Championships at home, started out first of all the seeded favourites in the 15-k freestyle and responded with an incredible race:
“I got into the race in a great way right from the start. Everything seemed to work straight away. I started tormenting myself direct and didn’t hold anything back. I have had fantastic skis and the skiing was absolutely fantastic too. Especially up the killer hill, the crowds there almost lift you up, and you forget how hard it is,” says Olsson.
Olsson, soon 35, has got six medals from his seven last championship races. And today’s was his fourth championship gold. He has won double Olympic golds in the relay, and famously won the 50k in Val di Fiemme after his mighty solo skiing performance on the last day of the Italian World Championships.
“I don’t think anyone has invested so heavily in the World Championships as I have. I have left the World Cup behind me completely and had a clear plan for the World Championships. I have known for the last few days that my form was stable, and that I’ve performed well against the other guys on the team”, says Olsson.
The silver went to Frenchman Maurice Manificat, France:
“My goal for the day was to win a medal. It was very hard on the second lap. I gave everything I had. I’m really happy with the silver, and it was fun to ski in front of the Swedish crowds. This means a lot for the French team,” said Manificat to Swedish TV.
This was Manificat’s second championship medal. He was also a member of the French team that won the Olympic bronze in the relay in Sochi.
The bronze went to Norwegian Anders Gløersen:
- I’m very happy. I’ve been working for this all year. On the last lap the Norwegian coaches began yelling about medals and gold, so I understood then that it might be enough. I did what I could, but was tired at the end. It was a bit hard to lose the silver, but I felt that I wasn’t moving very fast at all at the end so I’m happy with the medal. I had very good skis,” says Gløersen, as he too took his first international medal at senior level.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - Men's 15 km free
1. OLSSON Johan 1980 SWE 35:01.6
2. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA +17.8
3. GLOEERSEN Anders 1986 NOR +19.2
4. HELLNER Marcus 1985 SWE +39.8
5. KROGH Finn Haagen 1990 NOR +47.6
Falun 2015 15 km F podium - men
Source: falun2015.com
“Unreal. It feels crazy,” says a jubilant world champion. Johan Olsson doesn’t race often. But when he does, he does it wonderfully well.
Today he stepped into the World Championships at home, started out first of all the seeded favourites in the 15-k freestyle and responded with an incredible race:
“I got into the race in a great way right from the start. Everything seemed to work straight away. I started tormenting myself direct and didn’t hold anything back. I have had fantastic skis and the skiing was absolutely fantastic too. Especially up the killer hill, the crowds there almost lift you up, and you forget how hard it is,” says Olsson.
Olsson, soon 35, has got six medals from his seven last championship races. And today’s was his fourth championship gold. He has won double Olympic golds in the relay, and famously won the 50k in Val di Fiemme after his mighty solo skiing performance on the last day of the Italian World Championships.
“I don’t think anyone has invested so heavily in the World Championships as I have. I have left the World Cup behind me completely and had a clear plan for the World Championships. I have known for the last few days that my form was stable, and that I’ve performed well against the other guys on the team”, says Olsson.
The silver went to Frenchman Maurice Manificat, France:
“My goal for the day was to win a medal. It was very hard on the second lap. I gave everything I had. I’m really happy with the silver, and it was fun to ski in front of the Swedish crowds. This means a lot for the French team,” said Manificat to Swedish TV.
This was Manificat’s second championship medal. He was also a member of the French team that won the Olympic bronze in the relay in Sochi.
The bronze went to Norwegian Anders Gløersen:
- I’m very happy. I’ve been working for this all year. On the last lap the Norwegian coaches began yelling about medals and gold, so I understood then that it might be enough. I did what I could, but was tired at the end. It was a bit hard to lose the silver, but I felt that I wasn’t moving very fast at all at the end so I’m happy with the medal. I had very good skis,” says Gløersen, as he too took his first international medal at senior level.
OFFICIAL RESULTS - Men's 15 km free
1. OLSSON Johan 1980 SWE 35:01.6
2. MANIFICAT Maurice 1986 FRA +17.8
3. GLOEERSEN Anders 1986 NOR +19.2
4. HELLNER Marcus 1985 SWE +39.8
5. KROGH Finn Haagen 1990 NOR +47.6
Source: fis-ski.com
