Modin, who competes in the visually impaired class, was second in the qualifying round and second in the semi-finals. When it came to the medals in the final, the Swede dropped one place - but still won his ninth Paralympic medal of his career.
The 31-year-old is blind, while the three competitors in the final have some vision. Therefore, Zebastian Modin started with a 20-second lead over the others, but it wasn't enough.
"They came so damn fast. I didn't have a hat, though. They were better," Modin told SVT afterwards.
American Jake Adicoff and Chinese Yu Shuang quickly caught up and passed him, and in the end it came down to securing the bronze medal ahead of Norwegian Thomas Oxaal. Modin did this without any problems together with his Finnish guide, Emil Talsi.
"You're not a champion. It's still pretty good," said Modin, who was 6.2 seconds behind gold medalist Adicoff, who won just before Yu.
In Italy, Zebastian Modin is competing in the Paralympics for the fourth time. He has previously won four silver and four bronze medals.
"When I get home tonight I'll probably be satisfied. The medal is the important thing," said Modin.
Facts: Zebastian Modin
TT
Born: June 20, 1994 (age 31), in Frösö parish.
Club: Östersunds SK.
Sports: Para cross-country skiing (long-distance) and biathlon.
Guide: Emil Talsi.
Main achievements: Four Paralympic silver medals (sprint and mixed relay 2014, sprint 2018, 12.5 km freestyle 2022) and five Paralympic bronze medals (sprint 2010, 20 km 2014, sprint and 20 km 2022 and sprint 2026). Eleven World Cup medals, of which five are gold. Winner of the overall World Cup in long distance seven times.
Disability: Blind. Modin was born with the eye disease glaucoma and after a botched operation when he was six, he lost all vision in his left eye. When he was twelve, he also lost the vision in his right.
Class: NS1, skiers with blindness, compete with dark glasses. Competes against skiers in classes NS2 and NS3, who have minor vision impairments.
Source: Swedish Paralympic Committee.
