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Finland sweep
By Jason Swensen
Deseret News Olympic specialist
SOLDIER HOLLOW — Broom-toting custodians in Helsinki may be working with renewed enthusiasm these days. Sweeping has suddenly become popular in Finland following Samppa Lajunen's historic Olympic three-peat of the nordic combined events.
Lajunen completed his sweep of the Olympic nordic combined competitions after winning Friday's 7.5-kilometer sprint. The unassuming Finn had already become a familiar sight atop the 2002 medal podium prior to Friday by claiming gold in the individual and team competitions.
"I wasn't really thinking about a medal, I was concentrating on a good race," Lajunen said.
Still, Lajunen's rivals have to be wondering if the 22-year-old is man or machine. Lajunen was once again dominant Friday, leading the 7.5-kilometer cross country race from beginning to end after landing the superior leap in the sprint event's K120 jumping segment Thursday at Utah Olympic Park. Lajunen's top jump Thursday earned him a 15-second head start in Friday's cross country race ahead of Germany's Ronny Ackermann, Thursday's runner-up jumper.
Ackermann is a fine racer — but didn't have the jets Friday to overtake Lajunen.
"I knew there was only one way to go: to attack," said Ackermann. "However, Samppa showed no weaknesses."
Ackermann's efforts earned him the silver, his second of the Games. Austria's Felix Gottwald added to his growing collection of Olympic bronze medals by placing third. While Lajunen and Ackermann maintained their 1-2 start positions in the cross country race, the speedy Gottwald was forced to start the 7.5K race in the 11th spot after a mediocre jump on Thursday.
Team USA continued to show promise Friday in its quest to become a nordic combined power. Todd Lodwick finished fifth in the sprint event, his nation's best ever Olympic result in an individual nordic combined competition. The Americans finished fourth in last Sunday's team contest.
Lodwick was near tears Sunday after he and his teammates just missed the medal podium. Despite leaving his home-country Games without a medal, Lodwick was satisfied with his performance Friday.
"To be recognized as one of the best in the world is great," said Lodwick, who plans on competing in his fourth Olympics in 2006.
Lodwick skied fast Friday, finishing in the fifth spot after placing 12th in the jump round. He appeared to be in contention for the bronze midway through the race after he and Gottwald assumed a game of cat-and-mouse in the battle for third. It may have been too much too soon for the Colorado native.
"I might have gone out a little bit early. . . . I have the mentality on a cross country course to go, go, go," Lodwick said.
Lodwick's teammate, Bill Demong, was the next best American Friday, finishing 14th. Team USA's Johnny Spillane and Matt Dayton finished 32nd and 36th, respectively.
E-MAIL: jswensen@desnews.com
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February 23, 2002
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