Germany’s team saved the energy for the last minute to make a final sprint and win gold in cross country at the Vancouver Olympic Games on Monday.
Evi Sachenbacher-Stehle and Claudia Nystad worked together through six exchanges to get Germany’s seventh gold with a final time of 18:03.7.
Sweden’s team of Anna Haag and Charlotte Kalla won silver and added these medals to their personal tally in Vancouver.
Haag had previously won silver in the 15 kilometres pursuit, while partner Kalla captured gold in the 10 kilometres freestyle. The Swedish were just .6 of a second behind the Germans.
Bronze medal went to Russia’s duo of Natalia Korosteleva and Irina Khazova at 18:07.7.
Haag and Kalla from Sweden were first in three of the six exchanges, being in front of Germany and Russia and keeping the speed.
But in the fourth exchange Germany crossed on the first position showing part of their power and saving the rest for the end.
In the final lap, Nystad quickened the pace and passed Haag in the last curve, surprising the crowd and taking a final breath that boosted her to the finish line.
Team Canada of Daria Gaiazova and Sara Renner qualified to the final early in the morning in fourth position of the second heat.
In the final, Gaiazova and Renner finished in seventh place at 18:51.8