Australia’s cross country sprint specialists Esther Bottomley and Paul Murray gave their absolute all at Whistler Olympic Park this morning and produced solid performances.

Both were unable to gain a place in the top 30 and progress to the match racing, however neither was seeded to do so.

Bottomley covered the women’s 1.4 kilometre course in 4:05.12 seconds and placed 50th, 15 seconds off the ultimate goal of a top 30.

Murray was 11 seconds off a top 30 place. His time of 3:52.96 for the men’s 1.6km course left him in 55th.

Today was the culmination of years of hard work and a long season for both athletes. Neither of them could have given anymore today or done more in their preparation. They couldn’t help but be a little disappointed though.

“I’m not super happy,” 27-year-old Bottomley said. “There were definitely some good sections but not my best race of the season.

“I’m a little bit disappointed but that’s how it goes in racing. It’s the Olympic Games, it’s a tough field,” she said with a smile.

Murray who had been suffering with illness recently felt good today but didn’t get the result he was after.

“You can only do your best and if it doesn’t shape up. Well?” he said.

“Last weekend was a good race in Canmore when I was 46th, so I’m pretty disappointed to be that far behind today.”

The teammates from Mount Beauty in Victoria were well supported by Australian spectators around the picturesque course.

“It was awesome having support all around the course,” Murray said.

Bottomley improved on her Torino 2006 result by two places while 32-year-old Murray was four places back from his Olympic debut result.

With competition at their second Olympic Games over they will now spend well deserved time with family and friends.

The men's gold medal was won by Russian Nikita Kriukov in a photo finish from teammate Alexander Panzhinskiy. Norwegian skier Petter Northug won the bronze. Kriukov produced his best race when the gold medal was on the line and has some lucky breaks today.

He progressed from his heat after a photo finish, he progressed from his semi as a lucky loser and then produced his best race when it mattered most. Panzhinskiy was fastest qualifer in the morning and won his heat and semi but not the gold.

Marit Bjoergen won Norway their first gold of the Games. She was the fastest qualifier in the morning and dominated all day. Justyna Kowalczyk won silver for Poland and Petra Majdic clinched the bronze. 

Andrew Reid
AOC – Whistler Olympic Park