Sochi’s craziest photo finishes

It might be the best photo finish in Olympic history. In the quarterfinals of the men’s freestyle ski cross, three out of the four skiers crashed on the final jump and sprawled out for second place to advance to the next round.

To get a sense of just how close it was, here’s a look at the finish line.

Amazingly, Russia’s Igor Korotkov stuck out his arms to cross ahead of the others and advance to the semi-finals.

C’est de l’art #skicross #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/O6ACIWyZ69

— MaliaMetella (@MaliaMetella) February 20, 2014

As crazy as that ending was, it wasn’t the only close call in Sochi. In the men’s biathalon 15-km mass start, Norway’s Emil Hegle Svendsen started to showboat a little at the finish line. (Thanks to BBC for the GIFs.)

And while Svenden had his arms raised early in celebration…

#Biathlon Emil Hegle Svendsen wins Mass Start gold, Fouracde 2nd, Moravec 3rd. Race analysis: http://t.co/XWE58y18kw pic.twitter.com/yuMiVOdNmG

— real biathlon (@realbiathlon) February 18, 2014

…this is how close he was to losing his gold medal.

Interesting. Seems that this could be the same Omega (?) photo-finish Svendsen-Fourcade capture.. Googled it. pic.twitter.com/g8uE8wM6pJ

— Mareks Matisons (@sochivolunteer) February 18, 2014

Earlier this week, snowboard cross also had a crash photo finish in the semi-finals between Americans Alex Deibold and Trevor Jacobs.

Who crossed first to advance to the finals? Here’s a view of the finish line.

Not only did Deibold advance to medal race,…

Snowboard Cross spoiler: Photo finish to determine third rider going thru to final. #crazyfinish #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/amDQOR8pcb

— Mandi Bierly (@EWMandiBierly) February 18, 2014

…but he also went on to win the bronze medal.

Congrats to snowboardcross medalist, Alex Deibold, on yesterday’s Bronze! Your next beer’s on us! #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/fEj2V5hAS0

— Boulder Beer Company (@BoulderBeerCo) February 19, 2014