Flying Finns : Nieminen, 16, Leads Finland to Team Gold

Toni Nieminen became the Winter Games’ youngest male gold medalist--by one day--as he soared 123 meters, more than 400 feet, off the large hill on his last jump and led Finland to an unexpected victory in the team ski jumping event here Friday.

Nieminen, 16 years 259 days old, takes the place of American Bill Fiske, who won a gold in the 1928 Games in four-man bobsled, for his place in history. Fiske was 16 years 260 days old.

The Austrians had been leading the Finns after Friday’s first round and appeared headed for an easy victory before Nieminen, one of the world’s top jumpers, took over.

In the team event, countries have four jumpers, who take two jumps each. The three best scores from each round count for the points total.

Friday’s final jumper, Andreas Felder, had a chance to regain the lead for Austria, but managed only 115 meters, slightly more than 359 feet. That left Finland with 644.4 points and Austria with 642.9.