Russia 1-2 in men's cross-country sprint

Russia's Nikita Kriukov narrowly edged compatriot Alexander Panzhinskiy for gold in the men's individual sprint classic at the Vancouver Olympics.

The cross-country final essentially was a two-man battle after a strong start from both and a crash involving Alexey Poltaranin of Kazakhstan and Norway's Oeystein Pettersen early in the 1.6-kilometre race.

A photo finish was needed, with Kriukov declared the winner in three minutes 36.3 seconds.

Petter Northug of Norway was well behind the Russians, but good enough for bronze. Northug has won four gold medals in various events at world championships.

The two Canadians came across the Russians in quarter-final action and were eliminated as a result.

Stefan Kuhn of Canmore, Alta., was ousted in the quarter-final won by Panzhinskiy, with Kriukov and Pettersen too strong for Devon Kershaw of Sudbury, Ont., in another race.

Kuhn just missed out on having a fast enough time for the semis, ultimately placing 15th. Kershaw was 23rd.

The other Canadian entrants in the field, Drew Goldsack of Red Deer, Alta., and Brent McMurty of Calgary, did not advance to the quarter-finals. They were 40th and 41st, respectively.