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Norway’s best Olympic day ever

His Royal Highness The Crown Prince concluded his visit to the Olympic host city of PyeongChang today. It was a banner day for Norway, as the Norwegians competing in South Korea won three gold medals, two silvers and a bronze.

February 15, 2018

Olympic gold medalist Aksel Lund Svindal, Crown Prince Haakon and Olympic silver medalist Kjetil Jansrud. Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB scanpix

The day began on the alpine ski slope, where Norwegians Aksel Svindal and Kjetil Jansrud took the gold and silver medals, respectively, in the Men’s Downhill event.

Before the race, Crown Prince Haakon was outfitted with skis and a radio and accompanied the Norwegian trainers and athletes on their inspection of the course.

Norwegian run on medals

While the Crown Prince was still celebrating the double victory with winners Svindal and Jansrud just past the finish line, Ragnhild Mowinckel followed up with a silver-medal performance in the Ladies’ Giant Slalom. She is Norway’s first female Olympic alpine medallist since 1936.

The Crown Prince then cheered on the Norwegians in the Ladies’ 10-km Free cross-country skiing event, as Ragnhild Haga won gold and Marit Bjørgen tied for the bronze. Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla took silver.

Crown Prince Haakon congratulates Gold medalist Ragnhild Haga. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix


Norway’s successful day concluded with a gold medal by Johannes Thingnes Bø in the Men’s 20-km Individual biathlon. The Crown Prince witnessed this gold-medal performance from the stands. Never before has Norway won so many Olympic medals in a single day.

Gold medalist Johannes Thingnes Bø and Crown Prince Haakon celebrate. Photo: Odd Martin Røed, The Royal Court


Earlier in the day, Crown Prince Haakon had the chance to view most of the Norwegian ice hockey team’s game against Sweden. Sweden won the game 4-0.

Met the athletes

The Crown Prince had a busy programme during his three days in PyeongChang.

Yesterday the Crown Prince met the cross-country skiers at their hotel. Pål Golberg challenged the Crown Prince to, among other things, keep up with him on the roller-ski treadmill.

Later that day the Crown Prince met the Norwegian snowboarders. He was in the stands for the Norway-Japan curling match and for the Nordic Combined event (normal-hill ski jump + 10-km cross-country). He also had time for a chat and a waffle at the Norwegian Church Abroad in the Olympic village.

Olympic gold medalist Aksel Lund Svindal, Crown Prince Haakon and Olympic silver medalist Kjetil Jansrud. Photo: Cornelius Poppe / NTB scanpix
Crown Prince Haakon congratulates Olympic Gold Medalist Ragnhild Haga. Photo: Lise Åserud / NTB scanpix
Ragnhild Haga, The Crown Prince and Marit Bjørgen. Photo: Erik Røste, Skiforbundet
Crown Prince Haakon attends the women’s 10 km free, cross-country, at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Photo: Anders Wiklund/TT
Johannes Thingnes Bø won the men's biathlon's 20-kilometer race at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Photo: Odd Martin Røed, The Royal Court
Crown Prince Haakon and Olympic athlete Marit Bjørgen. Photo: Erik Johansen / NTB scanpix
Crown Prince Haakon visits the Norwegian Seamen's church in Pyeongchang. Photo: Odd Martin Røed, The Royal Court
Crown Prince Haakon meets Norwegian athletes at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics. Photo: Idrettsforbundet