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How ‘team tactics’ are powering Norwegian cross-country skiers

Cross-Country Skiing - Winter Olympics Day 2

PYEONGCHANG-GUN, SOUTH KOREA - FEBRUARY 11: Simen Hegstad Krueger (C) of Norway celebrates winning the gold medal with silver medallist Martin Johnsrud Sundby (L) of Norway and bronze medallist Hans Christer Holund of Norway during the victory ceremony after the Men’s 15km and 15km Skiathlon Cross-Country Skiing on day two of the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympic Games at Alpensia Cross-Country Centre on February 11, 2018 in Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea. (Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

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PYEONGCHANG, South Korea (AP) — Martin Johnsrud Sundby isn’t worried about winning an Olympic gold medal for himself, as long as a Norwegian is standing on the top step of the podium.

While cross-country skiing is primarily an individual sport, the Norwegians excel at using what they call “team tactics” in mass start events to assure the best chance of bringing home medals.

NBCOlympics.com: Norway’s Krueger overcomes crash to win gold in men’s 30km skiathlon

It happened on Sunday in the first men’s cross-country race of the Pyeongchang Games when a pre-determined game plan led to a Norwegian medal sweep in the 30-kilometer skiathlon.

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