Gold for Poland’s Kowalczyk in 10km Cross-Country Skiing

KRASNAYA POLYANA, Russia, February 13 (R-Sport) – Polish skier Jusztyna Kowalczyk streaked to the gold medal in the women’s cross-country 10 kilometer classical race Thursday, making the Sochi Olympics the most successful Winter Games in history for her country.

Kowalczyk won 18.4 seconds from Sweden’s Charlotte Kalla, with the third place going to Norway’s Therese Johaug.

The race used the classical skiing style, in which athletes move with their skis inline along pre-prepared tracks. Using the faster freestyle method, which uses a similar technique to ice skating, invites disqualification.

Poland’s first gold medal came with Kamil Stoch’s victory in the men’s normal hill ski jumping Sunday. The country has never before won more than a single gold medal at any Winter Olympic Games.

Cross-Country Skiing

© RIA Novosti