Runaway

Transplanted German takes men's 30K gold for Spain

Johann Muehlegg took the lead during the first lap and held on all the way. AP

MIDWAY, Utah (AP) -- Johann Muehlegg swept the opening men's Olympic cross country event Saturday, turning the 30K freestyle race into a one-man show.

The German-born Spaniard, who led from start to finish, completed the spectator-friendly race over the hilly Soldier Hollow trail in 1 hour, 9 minutes, 28.9 seconds for his first Olympic medal. His best Olympic finish so far had been seventh place in the 50K freestyle in Nagano, Japan, four years ago.

"Incredible, it was my race," said Muehlleg, who won the 50K world title last year. "I've been preparing myself so long for this day and my game plan paid off. I knew that I would either win or collapse."

It was Spain's only third medal in Winter games, and only its second gold.

Francisco Fernandez-Ochoa won the slalom in 1972 and his sister Blanca was the 1992 slalom bronze medalist.

Christian Hoffmann of Austria finished second, more than two minutes behind, after surging past countryman Mikhail Botvinov in the final stretch.

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Muehlegg set an impressive pace from the opening meters, leading a five-man breakaway group that formed at the 6.2-kilometer mark, than pulling away on his own.

At the halfway mark, he had a 1 1/2-minute advantage over a small group that included Norway's Ole Einar Bjoerndalen, Italy's Pietro Piller Cottrer, Kristen Skjeldal of Norway and Hoffmann.

"My plan was to force the pace during the first few laps and pull away from my rivals, and I did it," said the winner, known in Spain as "Juanito."

"I feel very good. The track was in great shape. It suited me because I've been training at altitude."

Muehlegg's lead grew to over two minutes with six kilometers to go as the chasing pack concentrated on the fight for silver.

The two Austrians entered the stadium neck-and-neck, with Hoffmann finally edging Botvinov by some 20 meters.

Pre-race favorite Per Elofsson of Sweden skied deep in the pack and retired at the halfway mark after trailing Muehlegg by more than 2 minutes.

"I had rubber legs halfway through the race," Elofsson said.

Hofmann's time was 1:11.31.0, while Botvinov clocked 1:11.32.3.

 

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