The penultimate day of the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival 2011 marked the end of all individual disciplines. Snowboard races finished with the mixed teams’ Parallel Giant Slalom. The Norwegians and Germans shone big time. Tonight’s hockey match decided about bronz winnner - Switzerland.
Cross Country Skiing, 5 km free technique - girls: Third medal for Sofia
Eighty cross country skiers from 26 countries lined up for the last individual interval start. The winner was Norwegian Hilde Losgard Landhelm. On Monday she took bronze in the classic and in the sprint she finished fifth. Now she can finally enjoy the gold. “It’s a great feeling. I did not believe I would achieve such success,” said the Norwegian. Likewise, Sofia Henriksson enjoyed a huge triumph, adding a bronze to her gold from the classic and her silver from the sprint, thus becoming one of the most successful athletes of the Festival. “It’s an awesome feeling. I don’t mind at all that it’s just a bronze today. It’s another huge accomplishment and I hope to add yet another medal in the relay,” said the obviously pleased Swede after the race.
Complete results here.
Cross Country Skiing, 7.5 km free technique - boys: Double for Germans
In the 10 km classic on Monday, the winners’ rostrum was occupied by Norwegians and a victorious Finn, yet on Thursday the Vesec venue was dominated by skiers from Germany. The title of the fastest “skater” fell to Martin Weisheit, 17, with Martin Herzog, another member of the German team, right behind him. “Today’s race was very good and it went smoothly for me. I am very happy,” said the winner, Weisheit, at the finish.
Complete results here.
Nordic Combined, team sprint - boys: Gold for Austria
Monday’s individual races were followed yesterday by a team sprint in the Nordic Combined, which was contested by a total of 24 Nordic Combined pairs from twelve countries. Austrians, Germans, Norwegians, and Finns made up the front-runners. During the second ski section, the 4 km sprint, the Austrians reinforced their lead and consequently Paul Gerstgraser and Philipp Orter won a gold medal.
Complete results here.
Alpine Skiing, slalom – boys: Alpine king of Norway
In a similar fashion to Tuesday’s giant slalom, the boys’ slalom below Ještěd was also conquered by Norwegian, Henrik Kristoffersen, who earned his second gold medal here in Liberec. The two-round race of 101 athletes from 38 countries proved disastrous for many favourites. The young Norwegian did not falter and clearly showed who was the best in alpine disciplines. “I felt myself under great pressure at the start as I only narrowly won the first round. However, I told myself that I had to ski at my best, focusing only on myself, and it worked!” said the Norwegian champion.
Complete results here.
Snowboarding, Parallel Giant Slalom, girls: Second gold for Czechs
The Czech Snowboarding representative, Ester Ledecká. had the run of her life on the slope in Rejdice. She had won the gold medal in the parallel slalom at the EYOWF 2011, the second gold for local athletes! Ledecká was enthusing in the finish area. "When I crossed the finishing line and I realised I had won the gold, I was immensely happy. I did not expect to win. I feel so lucky," Ledecká, who was fourth after the qualification round, expressed her immediate emotions.
Complete results here.
Snowboarding, Parallel Giant Slalom, boys: Gold for Luca
Italian teammates carried the winner, Luca Tresoldi, all the way up to the winners’ rostrum. “I’m the happiest person in the world. I really hoped I would win in Liberec,” said Tresoldi. The silver was secured by Sandro Butullo of Austria and the bronze by Russian Valery Kolegov, whose team crowed with delight over the medal as if it was gold.
Complete results here.