Sweden's big para-star in cross-country skiing was one of the favorites for today's race over 18 kilometers standing for men in the visually impaired class.

Early in the race, which had seven riders, Modin connected the grip and then the distance down to the competition just got bigger and bigger.

Modin triumphantly crossed the finish line in 48.00.9 – a full two minutes and 17 seconds ahead of runner-up Jake Adicoff of the USA.

The Norwegian Thomas Oxaal was third.

- I am very pleased.

It felt stable right through and I had good skis.

The form is good right now, I'm sure.

We'll see how good it is this week because there are a few races left, he tells SVT Sport.

The expert: "Incredibly great effort"

Yes, because it is not at a distance that Modin is at his very best.

This was his first WC gold at a distance and it is in sprints that he is the biggest favourite.

- What an incredible effort by Zebastian.

He meets all expectations with flying colors and wins by far.

I had believed most in "Zebbe" in the upcoming sprint, but he has taken great strides in the distance and developed that part, says SVT's expert Arnt-Christian Furuberg.

On Saturday, Modin won his first international medal as a biathlete, but it is the success in the cross-country tracks that has made him Sweden's top Winter Paralympian of all time with four silvers and four bronzes in the Paralympics.

His guide – double Olympic gold medalist in cross-country skiing, Daniel Richardsson – is full of admiration for Modin's effort.

- I am wonderfully humbled by Zebastian's achievements.

It's a completely different world than what I'm used to before.

What he does is impressive and it's so fun to be with him in everyday training and watch him do the job, says Richardsson to SVT Sport.