FasterSkier’s coverage of the 2013 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Val di Fiemme, Italy, is brought to you by the generous support of Fischer Sports.
VAL DI FIEMME, Italy — Petter Northug (NOR), in an impressive rebound from two disappointing races this week at World Championships, finally got the gold he was looking for on Wednesday in the 15 k individual freestyle. The effort took everything he had; he began to collapse before he even crossed the finish line to take over the lead from Johan Olsson (SWE).
All mid-race photos below were taken on the climb to the top of the course.
Lari Lehtonen (FIN)
Aivar Rehemaa (EST).
Mathias Wibault (FRA).
Germany’s Tim Tscharnke racing in 2013.
The 2011 World Champion, Matti Heikkinen (FIN).
Ales Razym (CZE)
Perl Curdin (SUI) chases Peeter Kummel (EST)
Tord Gjerdalen (NOR)
Lukas Bauer (CZE)
Johan Olsson (SWE) skates past a train.
Tobias Angerer (GER)
Marcus Hellner (SWE) leads Tscharnke.
Axel Teichmann (GER) and Toni Livers (SUI)
Robin Duvillard (FRA), Thomas Muriggl (ITA) and Calle Halfvarsson (SWE).
Sjur Roethe (NOR)
Here comes the king.
Petter Northug (NOR) climbing.
Head down.
Curdin Perl (SUI) leads a group.
Alexander Legkov (RUS) leads Ivan Babikov (CAN)
Dario Cologna (SUI) skis over the top.
Bauer leads Noah Hoffman (USA).
Coaches’ corner.
Gjerdalen charges to the finish.
The new race leader.
Olsson coming home strong
Olsson posts a new fastest course time.
Race leadership changes hands.
Hellner brings it home.
Northug isn’t far behind him.
Northug running out of steam.
Collapsing across the line.
Totally spent. Northug bested Olsson for the win by 11 seconds.
Northug is helped by his coaches.
After lying in the snow for a few minutes, Northug waves to the crowd.
The new 15 k World Champion.
Roethe, who was fifth, congratulates Northug.
Cologna, the last starter, comes through the finish in eighth.
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Gjerdalen, the bronze medalist.
No energy to shush the crowd this time, but still an impressive win for Northug.
