Bjoergen of Norway wins women’s cross-country sprint ahead of Poland’s Kowalczyk

Bjoergen wins women’s cross-country sprint

WHISTLER, British Columbia — Marit Bjoergen of Norway finally earned her first Olympic gold Wednesday, winning the women’s individual cross-country sprint at the Vancouver Games.

Bjoergen pulled away from Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland and Petra Majdic of Slovenia in a frantic finish to cross the line in 3 minutes, 39.2 seconds and end Norway’s gold-medal drought in cross-country skiing. Kowalczyk won the silver medal, and Majdic took bronze.

It was the Norwegian veteran’s fourth Olympic medal, after taking bronze in the 10K freestyle race Monday. She has two silvers from previous Olympics.

This time, the four-time world champion finally secured the top prize.

Bjoergen made her move in the final downhill portion leading into the ski stadium at Whistler Olympic Park, going by Kowalczyk on the inside in a curve to take a small lead. She held off the Polish World Cup leader and Majdic around the last bend before pulling away on the final straightaway.

“I saw in the end that nobody was behind me, and I thought, ‘This is my chance,’” Bjoergen said. “I had a very good day today.”

It was an even better day for Norway, the ski-crazed nation that failed to win a single gold in Turin, Italy, four years ago in what they consider their national sport.

Kowalczyk as 1.1 seconds back and Majdic was 1.8 behind.

“I think that around the corners (Bjoergen) was better, so that is where I came behind, but it doesn’t matter,” Kowalczyk said. “I have a medal, so it’s good.”

Majdic was the pre-race favorite but had looked unlikely to even start in the quarterfinals after crashing in training earlier Wednesday and hurting her ribs. Majdic fell in a sharp curve and tumbled down a slope on her back. Organizers pushed back her starting time in the qualification round to give her time to recuperate, but she collapsed in pain after finishing her lap around the 1.4-kilometer course and was taken to a hospital for X-rays.

She was cleared to compete after doctors determined no bones were broken. She looked much better in the quarterfinals, winning her heat, and then advanced from the semifinals based on her time.

She collapsed again after the final and needed help to leave the finish area.

Kikkan Randall of the United States, who won silver in the sprint at last year’s world championships when it was a freestyle event, was eliminated in the semifinals.