CROSS-COUNTRY:

Bjoergen secures pursuit gold ahead of Kowalczyk at worlds

Feb. 26, 2011 — The Canadian Press 

OSLO, Norway — Marit Bjoergen won her sixth career World Championships gold medal on Saturday, beating Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland in the women's 15-kilometre cross-country pursuit.

The Norwegian sprinted clear of Kowalczyk in the final kilometre to cross the line in 38 minutes, 8.6 seconds at the nordic skiing World Championships in Oslo, Norway.

Kowalczyk, who won pursuit gold in Liberec two years ago, trailed by 7.5 seconds.
Therese Johaug of Norway was third, 8.8 seconds back.

The two Norwegians and Kowalczyk pulled away from the rest of the field after five kilometres and the trio never looked in danger of being caught.

Charlotte Kalla of Sweden finished fourth, 53.9 seconds back.

Also on Saturday from Oslo, Eric Frenzel and Tino Edelmann of Germany finished 1-2 Saturday in the nordic combined normal-hill event.

American Olympic champion Billy Demong finished seventh, one place ahead of teammate Todd Lodwick. Demong had the fastest cross-country time, but was unable to make up a 1:47 time difference after placing 29th with his jump.

Frenzel won by 11.9 seconds after holding on to the lead he earned with a 109.5-metre leap in ski jump. Edelmann, a three-time silver medallist at the last worlds, was sixth after the jump but had a strong 10-kilometre cross-country leg.

Felix Gottwald of Austria was third.

Jason Lamy Chappuis of France finished 15th. He leads the overall World Cup standings.