Falling Down Doesn’t Trip Up Muehlegg’s Pursuit of His Second Gold Medal

Johann Muehlegg’s right ski plowed through the snow, throwing him off balance and into the snow. But not even a face-first fall could knock him off course Thursday.

Muehlegg dominated the men’s cross-country pursuit event to win his second gold medal of the Winter Games. He also won the 30K freestyle race Saturday.

Norwegians Thomas Alsgaard and Frode Estil tied for the silver medal. Alsgaard lunged his left ski forward at the finish line to create the tie before falling to the ground. They waited several minutes before getting the official decision.

The event had little drama otherwise.

Muehlegg, a German-born skier who sought and attained Spanish citizenship after a 1998 dispute with the German ski federation, covered the entire 20K event in 49 minutes, 20.4 seconds--28.5 seconds faster than the Norwegians.

“I’m not the fastest skier or the best sprinter. But I have a good motor,” Muehlegg said.

He also won the 30K freestyle in commanding fashion.

Muehlegg was so far in front Thursday that he slowed down to grab a Spanish flag, carried it in his right hand for the final 100 meters and waved it as he crossed the finish line.

“I thought, ‘Now it’s finished; they cannot catch me,’” he said.

Both legs of the event were held on the same day for the first time in the Olympics.

Muehlegg took charge in each one. He won the 10K classic-style race and gave himself a 13-second lead to begin the second leg of the event, the 10K freestyle pursuit.