Ladies' 30km mass start classic preview
Aug 31, 2018·Cross-Country
PYEONGCHANG - Norway is hoping to extend its winning run in major competitions in the ladies' 30km event, which is held on Sunday 25 February at the Alpensia Cross-Country Skiing Centre.
Norway has won all 12 ladies' 30km races (free and classic) in major competitions (World Cup, world championships and Olympic Winter Games), since the victory by Justyna KOWALCZYK (POL) in the 30km classic at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games.
Marit BJOERGEN (NOR) claimed eight of these 12 victories, including gold in the 30km free in Sochi in 2014.
BJOERGEN and 2010 gold medallist KOWALCZYK could both become the first athletes on multiple gold medals in the ladies' 30km (free and classic) in Olympic history.
They could also both equal Stefania BELMONDO (ITA) on a record three medals in this event at the Winter Games. BJOERGEN claimed silver in 2010 while KOWALCZYK collected bronze in 2006.
In 2010, KOWALCZYK beat BJOERGEN in the 30km classic by 0.3 seconds, the smallest winning margin in this event (free and classic) in history of the Olympic Winter Games.
BJOERGEN has won a record 14 medals at the Olympic Winter Games and her seven gold medals are a Games record for women.
BJOERGEN could win a record-equalling eighth gold medal at the Olympic Winter Games, matching biathlete Ole Einar BJOERNDALEN (NOR) and cross-country skier Bjoern DAEHLIE (NOR).
At the Olympic Games, only gymnast Larissa LATYNINA (URS, nine), canoe sprinter Birgit FISCHER (GER, eight) and swimmer Jenny THOMPSON (USA, eight) have won more gold medals among women.
BJOERGEN and Charlotte KALLA (SWE) have both won four medals at PyeongChang 2018 and could equal the record of winning five medals at a single Winter Games. Ten different athletes have achieved this feat, including BJOERGEN in 2010.
BJOERGEN will be 37 years and 341 days old on the day of this event and could become the second oldest Olympic medallist in the 30km (free and classic) after Marja-Liisa KIRVESNIEMI (FIN) who was 38 years and 167 days old when she claimed bronze in 1994.
Norway has already won a single Winter Games record six gold medals in cross-country skiing and can now also break the record of most total medals in this sport at one Winter Gamers. Its 13 medals won at PyeongChang 2018 equals the Soviet Union's record of 13 set in 1988.
Norway has won a medal in 10 cross-country skiing events held at PyeongChang 2018. This also ties the record as Norway won medals in 10 different events at Salt Lake City 2002.
KALLA can join three other athletes on a record four Olympic Winter Games gold medals for Sweden. Gunde SVAN (SWE), Sixten JERNBERG (SWE) and Thomas WASSBERG (SWE) have all claimed a record four gold medals among Swedish athletes, all in cross-country skiing.
KALLA has won a joint-record nine medals at the Olympic Games and Olympic Winter Games among Swedish athletes, alongside JERNBERG and shooter Alfred SWAHN.
KALLA could hand Sweden its first medal in the ladies' 30km (free and classic) at the Olympic Winter Games.
The last five 30km events (free and classic) at the Olympic Winter Games have seen five different winners representing five different NOCs.
With three gold medals, Italy is the only NOC to win multiple Olympic titles in the ladies' 30km (free and classic). Italy's last victory came in 2002, when Gabriella PARUZZI won gold in Salt Lake City.
Krista PARMAKOSKI (FIN), Kerttu NISKANEN (FIN) and 2010 bronze medallist Aino-Kaisa SAARINEN (FIN) are all aiming to become the second Olympic champion from Finland in the ladies' 30km event (free and classic, including 20km events), after KIRVESNIEMI in 1984.
All previous 27 Olympic medals in the ladies' 30km (free and classic, including 20km events) have been claimed by athletes representing a European NOC.
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