CROSS COUNTRY: Australia’s Callum Watson has put in a spirited performance to finish 60th in his Olympic debut in the Cross Country Skiathlon at the Laura Cross Country Ski and Biathlon Centre on Sunday.
CROSS COUNTRY: Australia’s Callum Watson has put in a spirited performance to finish 60th in his Olympic debut in the Cross Country Skiathlon at the Laura Cross Country Ski and Biathlon Centre on Sunday.
The Skiathlon event featured 15km of Classic skiing before switching skis to then complete 15km of Freestyle (Skate) Skiing. In the traditional Classic form, skis are kept parallel and never abandon or deviate from the two grooved tracks marked out in the snow. The Freestyle technique allows the skier to choose a style similar to skating, pushing the skis from both legs.
Sochi’s first male Cross Country event was won by 2010 Olympic gold medallist Dario Cologna (SUI) in a thrilling finish, while Watson finished 8:45 back in a time of 1:17:00.04.
The Aussie stuck with the lead pack over the first 3.75km lap before the contenders began to pull away from Watson and the majority of the field on the second circuit.
Watson finished the opening 15km leg in 62nd position before completing the second fastest transition of the race.
The event began to take its toll on the 24-year-old during the Freestyle, but Watson found something in the dying stages to hold his position.
“It was as good as it could have been for me I think,” said an exhausted Watson.
“A lot of preparation went into it and realistically I skied as good as I could of. I am happy with the result, it’s great.”
Watson believes that competing on the most prestigious level in world sport helped take him to another level.
“There’s something about the level of energy and the atmosphere around here that makes you go that extra bit harder.
“It’s the same field as the World Cup, but there is something special about it that makes you find that extra little bit.
“I can say that I have never pushed myself that hard ever before and I suppose that is what you are looking for in ski racing so that is great.”
On debut in Sochi, Watson’s years of dedication have finally paid off. He stood in the start line in his national colours and realised he had made the Olympic dream come true.
“It was definitely something pretty special.
“You are looking around and the crowd is going crazy and all the athlete’s bibs have got the rings on them and you think this is something different and something that you have been looking forward to for a very long time.”
The Jindabyne athlete’s attention now turns to the Sprint Freestyle event where he will line up alongside teammate Phil Bellingham on Tuesday.
“I’ll have a bit of a rest now as the 30km (event) generally takes it out of you a bit. I’ll rest up a bit tomorrow then have another training day before the Sprint.
“It’s another hard race so I’ve got to make sure I try to get my energy back for that but it should be good though.”
In what was an enthralling battle throughout, Cologna completed an amazing return from injury to edge out Marcus Hellner of Sweden by 0.4 seconds with Norway’s Martin Johnsrud Sundby a further second back.
Cologna only returned to competition last month and was expected to not be able to match it with his more fancied Scandinavian rivals.
The host nation were again within reach of a medal at the Laura Centre with Russia’s Maxim Vyleghhanin finishing in fourth 0.1 seconds behind Sundby after Russia’s Anton Shipulin also finished fourth in Saturday’s Sprint Biathlon.