There is an old saying that Scandinavians were born with skis on their feet. Yet again, they have put up a good fight this year in the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver.
Sweden's Medals:
Gold- Women's curling, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 4x10 km Relay Classic/Free, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 30 km Pursuit (15 Classic+15 Free), Biathlon - Men's 12.5 km Pursuit, and Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 10 km Free
Silver- Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' Team Sprint Free, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 15 km Pursuit (7.5 Classic+7.5 Free)
Bronze- Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 50 km, Mass Start Classic, Alpine Skiing - Men's Slalom, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 30 km Pursuit (15 Classic+15 Free), Alpine Skiing - Ladies' Super Combined
One Swedish Olympic favorite is Anna Haag. She is 23 –years-old from Köping, Sweden and has been competing in cross-country skiing since 2003. At this year’s Winter Olympics, she took Silver in both the 15 km pursuit and the team sprint.
(Photo by: Oskar Karlin)
Norway's Medals:
Gold- Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 50 km, Mass Start Classic, Biathlon - Men's 4x7.5 km Relay, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 4x5 km Relay Classic/Free, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's Team Sprint Free, Alpine Skiing - Men's Super-G, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 15 km Pursuit (7.5 Classic+7.5 Free), Biathlon - Men's 20 km Individual, Biathlon - Women's 15 km Individual, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' Individual Sprint Classic
Silver- Curling – Men, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 30 km, Mass Start Classic, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 4x10 km Relay Classic/Free, Alpine Skiing - Men's Giant Slalom, Freestyle Skiing - Ladies' Ski Cross, Biathlon - Men's 20 km Individual, Alpine Skiing - Men's Downhill, Biathlon - Men's 10 km Sprint
Bronze- Alpine Skiing - Men's Giant Slalom, Ski Jumping – Team, Freestyle Skiing - Men's Ski Cross, Speed Skating - Men's 1500 m, Cross-Country Skiing - Men's Individual Sprint Classic, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 10 km Free
Who can resist the four Norwegian blondies that took gold in the Women’s Cross Country Skiing? On the team is Vibeke Westbye Skofterud, Therese Johaug, Kristin Størmer Steira, and Marit Bjørgen.
Vibeke Westbye Skofterud is from Askim, Norway and has been competing in cross-country skiing since 1999.
(Photo By: Iso76)
Therese Johaug is from Os, Norway and won the bronze in the 2007 World Championships in Sapporo during the 30 km mass start.
(Photo By: Iso76)
Kristin Størmer Steira is from Mo I Rana, Norway and has cross-country skied for Norway since 2002.
(Photo By: Bjarte Hetland)
Marit Bjørgen is from Trondheim, Norway and is a cross-country skier from Midtre Gauldal. She has won the most medals during the 2010 Winter Olympics.
(Photo By: Author Unknown)
Finland's Medals
Silver- Snowboard - Men's Halfpipe
Bronze- Ice Hockey – Men, Ice Hockey – Women, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 30 km, Mass Start Classic, Cross-Country Skiing - Ladies' 4x5 km Relay Classic/Free
Peetu Piiroinen is a young 22-year-old who took the Silver in snowboarding for Finland. He is from Hyvinkää and his home mountain is Sveitsin Hiihtokeskus. Peetu has been traveling the world and competing since 1997 and is sponsored by Burton Snowboards.
(Photo By:copyright: http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/m9_1y2nbXNl/Snowboard+Day+6/yawueiFiGYG/Peetu+Piiroinen)
Portions of the above information are from the online website:
http://www.wikipedia.com
http://www.vancouver2010.com
Sincerely,
John, Don, and Lena (Our new intern)
