Sweden and Norway tussle for cross-country dominance (News Feature)

By John Bagratuni Feb 24, 2010, 23:52 GMT

Whistler, Canada - The Norwegians may have overcome their 2006 Olympics cross-country disaster but the Swedes are still ahead of them this time around at Whistler Olympic Park.

The Swedish men's relay made sure of this by winning gold ahead of Norway on Wednesday, an event that carries immense prestige in the two Scandinavian countries.

Marcus Hellner clinched the first Swedish relay win since Calgary 1988 when he attacked on the final leg, and Norwegian star Petter Northug could only salvage silver in a come-from-behind effort.

'It is a dream for us and I don't think we will really realise how amazing this is until we are back in Sweden,' said team member Johan Olsson.

Swedish Olympic Committee spokesman Bjoern Felin said after the race 'It is very important to be ahead of Norway.' But he said it with a smile and stressed that this is 'a friendly rivalry.'

The rivalry sometimes runs much tenser but the Swedes were even knighted by the Norwegian camp in the form of their first man out in the race, Martin Sundby Johnsrud.

'We won silver. Sweden was just awesome and deserved the gold. They are having great Olympics,' he said.

Sweden enter the final three races with three gold, two silver and one bronze. Norway has a 3-1-2 haul for six medals as well.

Hellner had earlier in Whistler won the pursuit and Olsson got a bronze in that race. Sweden also have a women's 10km gold from Charlotte Kalla, pursuit silver from Anna Haag and both also won team sprint silver.

The Norwegian medals are from Marit Bjoergen (sprint and pursuit gold, 10km bronze) and Northug (relay gold, team sprint silver with Oeystein Pettersson and sprint bronze).

'I can't be disappointed. I have three medals and had some ups and downs earlier,' said Northug, who was far off the pace in the 15km and out of contention in the pursuit when his pole broke in the deciding stages when he made contact with Hellner.

'It was an accident,' insisted Hellner on the day while Northug left the stadium without a comment.

Norway got no gold at all in 2006 where Sweden ruled the cross-country slopes with three golds in the sprint and team sprint, and two bronze.

'The cross-country team has had great races. The last time it was the sprinters, this time the distance skiers. We are closing in on our medal target of 10,' said Felin.

The cross-country skiers have accounted for six of Sweden's eight medals, a 4-2-2 haul by Wednesday afternoon. Norway's overall haul is far ahead at 6-6-6.

However, Felin hopes that the last cross-country scoop will boost the whole Olympic team on the home stretch.

'This is great for the whole team. We have high hopes in ice hockey and curling,' he said.