– It is a dream come true to take four gold in one Paralympics. It’s pretty raw, Jesper Saltvik Pedersen told NRK.
With gold in super-G, super combination, giant slalom and downhill and silver downhill, the 22-year-old Norwegian is without a doubt the king of the Paralympics.
The alpine star from Karmøy is thus behind five of Norway’s seven medals in the championship.
Norway finished in 8th place on the medal list at the Paralympics.
– It was completely raw. I came into this championship very confident after the World Cup in Hafjell, but there is something special about the Paralympics. It’s a bit special here in Beijing, but we’ve focused on the sport, and we’ve managed to fit in every day. It had exceeded all expectations, Pedersen smirked.
SUPERIOR: Jesper Saltvik Pedersen was unstoppable at the Paralympics. On Sunday, he won by six seconds.
Photo: Simon Bruty for OIS / NTB
– Will there be a celebration when you get home?
– This is probably going to be a bit of a celebration, but first I’ll relax. It’s been a tough few weeks here. I’m ready to make life a little easier in the next few weeks, he replied.
– Just relax! Just relax!
He could hardly have finished the Paralympics in a better way: Pedersen had a fantastic first round and kept his cool in the last.
However, NRK commentator Ole Kristian Stoltenberg was very nervous along the way.
– Just relax! Just relax! It keeps you from doing moderate exercise, the commentator shouted.
In the finish he was a full six seconds ahead of Niels de Langen of the Netherlands. Italy’s René De Silvestro took bronze.
Pedersen admits that the second half was a little tough.
– Formerly difficult conditions. That’s a little «survival mode», but I got through it. I can complete job tasks in an easy way – conditions that count. It sure doesn’t look good. I came down and today was the most important thing. I ended up with gold today too. It’s cool, he said.
Pedersen ended a fantastic Paralympics as Norway’s flag bearer at the closing ceremony in Beijing tonight. This was confirmed by the Norwegian Sports Confederation on Sunday morning.
WHOLESALE GOLD: Jesper Saltvik Pedersen has won five of Norway’s seven medals at the Paralympics.
Photo: Joel Marklund for OIS / NTB
Nilsson in 19th place
Earlier in the evening Norwegian time, Norway also secured a bronze medal in the 4×2.5 kilometer open relay in cross-country skiing.
Ukraine took the gold while France fled with the silver medal.
In the men’s slalom, Marcus Grasto Nilsson finished 19th. Arthur Bauchet of France won the gold medal.
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