Veerpalu golden in men's 15km

World Championships

Mon, Feb  23, 2009 - By FIS

38-year-old Andrus Veerpalu from Estonia took the gold medal in the challenging 15 km classical race at Liberec 2009. Local favorite Lukas Bauer (CZE) claimed the silver after leading for most of the race, while Matti Heikkinen (FIN) surprised with the bronze medal.

For Veerpalu, the 2006 Olympic Champion in the 15 km classical race, it was the second World Champion title after winning the 30 km classical race 2001 in Lahti. Veerpalu also became the oldest world champion in history with his victory at Liberec 2009. Lukas Bauer, who was already second behind Veerpalu in 2006 at the Olympic Games captured his first individual medal at a World Championships and for the 25-year-old Heikkinen it was the best finish ever - he has never finished on a World Cup podium in his career.