Switzerland's Cologna wins cross-country gold

For the second time in one day, Switzerland has struck gold.

Dario Cologna won the men's 15-kilometre freestyle cross-country race in his Olympic debut on Monday.

The 23-year-old gave Switzerland its third gold medal of the Vancouver Games, after Didier Defago won the men's downhill in Whistler earlier Monday. Ski jumper Simon Ammann won the country's the first gold medal, his third Olympic title, on Saturday.

Cologna collapsed across the finish line after completing the course in 33 minutes 36.3 seconds at Whistler Olympic Park.

Italian Pietro Piller Cottrer won the silver, and Czech skier Lukas Bauer took the bronze. Bauer won the silver medal in the 15-kilometre classical style race at the 2006 Games in Turin.

Ivan Babikov of Canmore, Alta., cracked the top 10, finishing eighth overall in 34 minutes 30 seconds.

The 29-year-old was born in Russia, but moved to Canada in 2003 with hopes of pursuing his skiing career with the Canadian team. He was sponsored by his sister, who moved to Canada four years earlier.

Due to a delay in gaining his Canadian citizenship, Babikov skied for Russia in the 2006 Games.

Also Monday, Alex Harvey of St. Ferreol, Que., finished 21st in 34 minutes 55.6 seconds. George Grey of Rossland, B.C., was behind Harvey, in 35:13 seconds.

Gordon Jewett of Canmore rounded out the Canadian men in 52nd place, in 36 minutes 17.9 seconds.