In a ceremony for the winter solstice at the mountaintop monastery of Rumtek itself, drums throb, horns and conches low mournfully, and monks led by a cleric in elaborate robes and a huge black hat consign an offering to the bonfire.

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Despite his finish, Boit's tenacity impressed gold medallist Bjorn Daehlie -- who with his victory that day became the first man to win six gold medals at the Winter Olympics -- so-much-so that the Norwegian legend delayed the medal presentation ceremony so he could embrace Boit as he crossed the line.

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