Northug ‘best skier in the world’

Norway’s “bad boy” at the Winter Olympics ended two weeks of competition in a blaze of glory on Sunday. Petter Northug won the gold medal in arguably the toughest race of all, and suddenly emerged as what one commentator called “the best skier in the world.” Northug, age 24, ran neck and neck against Axel [...]

Women grab historic relay gold

For the first time in 26 years, Norway won the Women’s 4 x 5-kilometer Relay Classic/Free at the Winter Olympics, crushing their competitors along the way. All four Norwegian skiers — with Vibeke Skofterud out first, followed by Therese Johaug on the second lap, Kristin Størmer Steira on the third and anchor Marit Bjørgen on [...]

Norway second in cross-country relay

Cross-country veteran Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset was putting all the blame on himself that Norway failed to win a coveted gold medal in the Men’s 4×10-kilometer Classic/Free relay on Wednesday. He was in good shape, but his skis failed to perform in a heavy snowstorm during his part of the race, and he fell more than half-a-minute behind [...]

Northug, ski jumpers disappoint

There were no new gold medals for Norway on Saturday, nor any medals at all for that matter. Norwegian fans pinned their hopes on Petter Northug, expecting him to win the Men’s 30-kilometer Pursuit at the Winter Olympics. Instead he came in 11th, after losing an estimated three seconds for breaking a ski pole. That [...]

Marit Bjørgen wins second gold

TOP THREE. Gold medalist Marit Bjørgen (R) of Norway, Silver medalist Anna Haag (C) of Sweden and Bronze medalist Justyna Kowalczyk (L) of Poland celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony of the Women’s 15km Cross Country Skiing competition at the Whistler Olympic Park in Whistler, Canada, 19 February 2010. She was thrilled when [...]

Bjørgen secures Norway’s first gold

Norwegian sports fans had to wait five days for their first gold medal in the Winter Olympics, but it finally came on Wednesday when Marit Bjørgen won the Ladies’ Individual Sprint Classic. Bjørgen beat the heavily favored Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland, surprising everyone including herself. “Wow, was I really so far ahead,” she said during the run-up to [...]

Northug in worst Olympic debut ever

Petter Northug, an otherwise confident young man from Trøndelag, shocked Norwegian fans on Monday with one of the worst Olympic debut performances in his country’s history, placing 41st in a race (the men’s 15-kilometer freestyle) that he had been expected to win. He offered no immediate explanation, walking right past stunned Norwegian journalists without making [...]

On track to a perfect skiing Sunday

THE TRAILS ARE BECKONING: Skiers had another great weekend in Norway, with lots of snow all over, brilliant sunshine on Saturday and relatively mild temperatures. More snow was expected both Tuesday and Wednesday in southern Norway, and a lot more sunshine in northern Norway. Check out our updated Oslo Ski Guide 2010, for tips on [...]

Ski season swings into high gear

Skiers flocked to places like Ullevålseter in the forests around Oslo this week, to take advantage of fresh snow and days off from school and work. Cross-country skiing is more popular than ever before in Norway, with a big increase in equipment sales this year and record numbers of enthusiasts joining local ski associations. State [...]