Olympic Journal: Bill and Nancy Bauer

Today was the greatest for Nordic Skiing as the American mens' 4x10 Km relay team placed 5th, their best ever. John went out in the first leg, and because of the team's assigned lane status, left the stadium dead last. He said later, however, that he wasn't worried about his position.

In fact, by the time he crested the first big climb, he had surged ahead to fourth. At one point in the race, he even lead, a feat one of his Duluth friends would later say was the "gutsiest move of the day".

All of the American skiers maintained the fifth place position established by John. The final leg skier, Carl Swenson, barely missed fourth in his sprint against Austria's best. What a day, and you all would have loved to be here with perfect weather, flags waving, cow bells ringing, and the Olympic spirit prevailing.

Nancy will stay here to captain the American cheering squad for the Sprints and the 50 Km. classic. Bill will return to Minnesota and his students.

We're having a ball!