16.02 Sochi 2014: Sweden Does the Double in Cross-Country Relays

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia, February 16 (R-Sport) – Sweden completed a golden double in the Sochi Olympic cross-country ski relays Sunday as the men’s team charged to victory in the 4x10km.

Marcus Hellner raced a fast final leg to preserve Sweden’s lead and win by 27.3 seconds, one day after the country’s women’s team won their 4x5km relay.

The silver went to Russia, whose last-leg skier Maxim Vylegzhanin held off a challenge from France's Ivan Perrillat Boiteux to take second place by four seconds. The Frenchman hunted down Vylegzhanin rapidly, but tired and proved unable to challenge the Russian on the final sprint, settling for bronze.

Sochi disappointment continued for traditional cross-country skiing powerhouse Norway, which again missed the medals.

Despite boasting Olympic champion Petter Northug, the Norwegian men could only manage fourth, one place higher than in Saturday’s women’s relay, leaving Norway without a relay medal for the first time in 50 years.