2010
19
Feb
Cross-Country Skiing: Bjoergen lands cross-country double – AFP News : Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics
Whistler (AFP) - Norway's Marit Bjoergen on Friday won the women's 15km cross-country pursuit to add to her sprint crown.
Sweden's Anna Haag took bronze ahead of Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk as Bjoergen made it two titles in three days.
Bjoergen, a 28-year-old from Trondheim, crossed the line in 39min 58.1sec to see off Haag by 8.9sec with Kowalczyck 0.4sec further back.
The champion also won a bronze in the 10km as she tries to keep the Norwegians on the trail of Germany, who stand second in the overall medal standings behind the United States while keeping hosts Canada at arm's length.
Bjorgen, who appeared to find her second wind in the final three kilometres, showed her versatility in dominating a course where racers have to do 7.5km in classic style then switch skis and do the same again freestyle.
At the half-way mark Charlotte Kalla, champion over 10km, trailed by just 28sec before she fell away but the course proved too much for 2006 champion Kristina Smigun-Vaehi of Estonia, who threw in the towel.
Italian Arianna Follis and Finn Aino-Kaisa Saarinen also made challenges that ultimately petered out as Haag and World Cup champ Kowalczyk dug in to keep further Norwegian medal hopes Kristin Stoermer Steira and Therese Johaug off the podium.
cw/dj10