Super Dario is the 2018 Holmenkollen 50 km King

(Holmenkollen, Norway) Switzerland's Dario Cologna captured what was perhaps the final thing missing from his illustrious career.  He is now Holmenkollen 50 km champion.  After two previous photo finishes with second place results it was fitting that his win finally came in another photo finish.  This time however the toe of his boot got to the line first.

Cologna came to the line neck and neck with Norway's Martin Johnsrud Sundby who was aiming for his third consecutive victory on his home course.  That 3rd victory would have been an event record.  Despite finishing second Sundby continue to set the bar for the most podium finishes at Holmenkollen with his 7th consecutive podium finish.  In third was Russia's Maxim Vylegzhanin +1.1 second behind matching his previous best (2016) result here.

ATHLETE QUOTES

Dario Cologna (SUI)
I felt very good today. I tried to be in the front during the whole race. Martin was very strong. Both of us wanted to make our final move on Grattishaugen. Going to the finish I thought he would be stronger than me. It is amazing to finally win here. It’s the most important individual competition on the World Cup. I had to wait some years to finally get this victory.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR)
I have won here two times so for sure I was looking for a three-peat. But Dario has been second a few times only by a few centimetres so I think it was karma or something that Dario finally got his victory. I was not good enough in the sprint. Dario was the strongest one out there today. Maybe I could have done something better earlier. But I am quite happy about second place.

Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS)
It was a tough race for me. It was very hard to finish in the third place. From the second lap it was quite tough. I did my best after I have changed my skis. Dario was super strong.

OFFICIAL RESULTS - 50 km F

MEN

1. COLOGNA Dario 1986 SUI 2:01:48.1
2. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud 1984 NOR 2:01:48.1
3. VYLEGZHANIN Maxim 1982 RUS +1.1
4. ROETHE Sjur 1988 NOR +4.2
5. SPITSOV Denis 1996 RUS +4.4

Complete RESULTS

OVERALL WORLD CUP DISTANCE STANDINGS

1. COLOGNA Dario SUI 642 pts
2. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR 612
3. MANIFICAT Maurice FRA 579

Complete

OVERALL WORLD CUP STANDINGS

1. KLAEBO Johannes Hoesflot NOR 1338 pts
2. COLOGNA Dario SUI 1114 
3. SUNDBY Martin Johnsrud NOR 1104

Complete