Russians Pull Off Upset Pair Leaves Norwegians Out In Cold

Persistent underachiever Olga Danilova out-classed the big names from Norway to finally make a big name for herself as the first gold medalist of the Nagano Olympics.

The 27-year-old mastered the changing conditions on a tough Snow Harp course to win the women’s 15-kilometer classical cross country race ahead of teammate Larissa Lazutina.

Although they had four skiers in the top seven, the Norwegians, who had been looking at a possible sweep, wound up with just a bronze. Anita Moen Guidon collapsed over the line in third place.

“It’s one of the happiest days of my life,” said Danilova, whose only previous Olympic appearance at Albertville six years ago yielded a best of sixth place in the 5K.

Breaking into tears, Danilova said she was thinking of her 2-year-old twin sons Savily and Simeon, back home in Alexandrov.

“I’m happy but especially for my twins,” she said. “Right now, I’m still not aware that I’m the Olympic champion.”

Danilova has spent the last few seasons on Russia’s second-string team after a series of disappointing performances at World Cup level. Although she has climbed to eighth in this season’s World Cup standings, she has failed to finish higher than third.

Lazutina, who has won two relay golds but just missed out on individual medals at the last two Olympics, appeared to be the main threat to the powerful Norwegians.

Going out 20th of the 65 starters, Lazutina was second to Guidon at the first timed checkpoint and maintained her speed even though the conditions changed during the race.

Starting out in bright sunshine, the skiers met colder, cloudier weather as a snowstorm loomed over the course and, on a wickedly undulating track, many began to slow down in the second half of the race.

But the two Russians seemed to thrive in the tough conditions and were the only two gold- and silver-medal contenders from half way, as the Norwegians wilted.

Danilova completed the distance in 46 minutes, 55.4 seconds with Lazutina 5.6 seconds behind.

Kerrin Petty, from Townshend, Vt., was the leading American in 48th place, one ahead of Suzanne King, of Minneapolis. Petty clocked 52:45.3, 5:49.9 behind the winner, while King had 52:58.9.

Nina Kemppel, from Anchorage, was the third American, in 53rd place with a time of 53:57.2 and Laura Wilson of Ketchum, Idaho, placed 54th in 54:10.4.