Feb 19 • 13:45 UTC 🇫🇮 Finland Iltalehti

Olympic gold was so close! Ilkka Herola and Eero Hirvonen had an amazing battle

Ilkka Herola and Eero Hirvonen secured an Olympic silver medal in the mixed team sprint event finisher just behind the Norwegian duo who claimed gold.

In a thrilling mixed team sprint event, Finnish athletes Ilkka Herola and Eero Hirvonen narrowly missed out on Olympic gold, finishing with a silver medal after a fierce competition against their rivals from Norway. The Norwegian team, consisting of Jens Lurås Oftebro and Andreas Skoglund, ultimately claimed the top spot, crossing the finish line just 0.5 seconds ahead of the Finnish pair. The race conditions were challenging due to continuous snowfall, which added to the intensity of the competition.

The intense race saw Finland start 27 seconds behind Germany, who won the ski jumping portion of the event. The harsh weather conditions quickly led to a tight pack of teams including Norway, Austria, Japan, and Finland, all vying for podium finishes. The turning point of the race came after 12 kilometers when Austrian skier Thomas Rettenegger fell during one of the final legs, causing a shift in the lead as Herola and Skoglund surged ahead in a dramatic push for the win.

Despite a valiant effort from Herola, who briefly held the lead, Skoglund managed to pull ahead in the final stretch. The close finish highlighted the competitiveness of the event and underscored the skill and determination of the athletes, particularly for the Finnish team, who showcased an impressive performance despite challenging external conditions.

📡 Similar Coverage