When Alexander Bolshunov surged with 2.5 kilometers to go, his national team colleague Ivan Yakimushkin and Simen Hegstad Krüger of Norway followed. 

But then Bolshunov surged again on the last hill into the stadium and created a gap that left no doubt: Yakimushkin and Krüger were left to fight over the silver medal. 

And as in the opening 30-kilometer skiathlon, the Russian snagged the silver in front of the Norwegian. The Russians also managed to put four racers among the top six: Artem Maltsev was fourth and Denis Spitsov was seventh. 

In the grueling conditions with frigid temperatures and howling winds, the race became a war of attrition. 

The field remained fairly collected with a large leading group where racers from several nations were represented. 

In the last half of the race, Bolshunov and the Russians were pulling the front end of the group along with Norwegians Sjur Røthe and Simen Hegstad Krüger. But it wasn’t until the final half of the last lap that Bolshunov was truly starting to test out the resilience of the field. 

Finally, with about 2.5 kilometers to go, Bolshunov made the first of his decisive surges. And as the front end of the group, which was reduced to a handful racers, neared the stadium, it was clear how the race would turn out: a fight for silver and bronze. 

The weather situation was also the reason why the event was cut from 50 to 30 kilometers a few hours prior to the race start. 

Top 3 men 30km F
1. Alexander Bolshunov, Russia, 1:11:32.7
2. Ivan Yakimushkin, Russia, +5.5
3. Simen Hegstad Krüger, Norway, +7.0

Complete results

The 30-kilometer skate race was the last cross-country event for the men at the Olympics in Beijing. The women’s 30-kilometer skate race tomorrow is the final cross-country event at the 2022 Winter Games.

The women’s 30-kilometer skate race is a mass start event, and takes place at 7:30 am on Sunday, February 20. Check out the start lists and race details. 

FACTS: 2022 OLYMPICS 
What: XXIV Olympic Winter Games (24th edition)
Beijing 2022 – All you need to know 
Where: Beijing, China
Biathlon, cross-country skiing and Nordic events will take place at the Zhangjiakou arena, situated at and above 1650 meters above sea level. 
When: February 4 to 20, 2022
What happens when: 
Complete schedule for the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, all sports. 
Who: 53 cross-country teams compete at the 2022 Olympics, each fielding from 1 to 16 athletes. 
All the cross-country ski teams to the Beijing Winter Olympics 
How: Where to watch the Olympics – World Wide

Results, start lists and competition details for all events at the 2022 Beijing Olympics will be posted here

Beijing Olympics homepage