Germany out-sprints Norway, Russians Don't Start
By Cory Smith

February 21, 2002

Norway and Sweden lead the mass start at 1 K.

In today's Women's 4x5K Relay, Germany came from behind on the final leg to beat Norway for the Gold Medal. Switzerland had an amazingly strong race to win the Bronze. The biggest news, unfortunately, is that the heavy Gold Medal Favorite Russian team did not start, due to a blood test.

It was not until just as the gun went off that those of us on the course began to get information that the Russians were not in the field. Sure enough, when the pack passed by me at 1K, the Norwegians and Swedes were leading the way with no Russians or Ukrainians in the bunch. This immediately threw the race wide-open. Instead of everyone fighting for silver behind Russia, the gold was now up for grabs. On the first leg, Petra Madjic of Slovenia led most of the way before Manuela Henkel (GER) and Andrea Huber (SUI) passed her near the end. Sara Renner kept Canada in contention by sticking in 5th place, right behind Norway, 15 seconds back. Wendy Wagner (USA) finished in 11th.

Nina Kemppel follows Gabriella Paruzzi on the second leg

On the second classic leg, Bente Skari (NOR) charged up to the front with the fastest classic leg of the day and finished up three seconds on Germany. Switzerland was hanging close for most of the leg and tagged off in 3rd, only 14 seconds back. Milaine Theriault (CAN) struggled a bit against very tough competition and dropped to eighth place. The US Team also struggled, as Nina Kemppel dropped two places to 13th, just behind Italy and Sweden.

Norway builds a lead on the third leg

Most people expected Norway to drop back on the third leg, which was the first skating leg. But instead of fading, Hilde Petersen increased the lead slightly to 10 seconds over Germany, while Switzerland continued to hang with the big girls only 16 seconds back. Katerina Neumannova brought the Czech Republic up from 6th to 4th, 45 seconds back. Amanda Fortier (CAN) dropped one place to 9th and Barb Jones skied all by herself in 13th.

Germany and Norway battle for the Gold

This set up another final leg relay duel, this time between Germany and Norway. Evi Sachenbacher quickly caught Anita Moen and the two skied together for the rest of the race. They went stride for stride in the last couple of K's and coming into the stadium it looked as if Moen, who was beaten by Sachenbacher for the silver in Tuesday's sprint, had the better position. But the young German was just too fast and she skied away in the final 100 meters for the win. Yet another fantastic finish at Soldier Hollow. Switzerland was all alone in third, locking up their very surprising Bronze medal, after finishing 7th in last year's World Championships.

Belmondo and Scott move their teams up with very fast legs

The fastest laps of the last leg were by Stephania Belmondo and Beckie Scott who brought their teams from 8th to 6th and 9th to 8th respectively. With another K or two, both probably could have made the top five. The Americans finished a disappointing 13th.