CROSS-COUNTRY:

Norway’s Johaug denies teammate Bjoergen a 5th gold at worlds

March 5, 2011

OSLO, Norway — Therese Johaug beat fellow Norwegian Marit Bjoergen on Saturday to win the women's 30-kilometre freestyle event at the nordic skiing World Championships.

The 22-year-old Johaug led the mass start race from the halfway point and entered the final straight waving a Norwegian flag before finishing in 1 hour, 23 minutes, 45.1 seconds.

Bjoergen, who was chasing a record fifth gold medal, finished 44 seconds behind.

Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk was third, 1:34.0 back.

Johaug, third in the 15 km pursuit, raced alongside Bjoergen in the Norway team that won the relay.

The 30-year-old Bjoergen also won three individual races but was unable to match the record of five gold medals held since 1997 by Russian skier Elena Vaelbe.

Canada’s Chandra Crawford was 42nd and Brooke Gosling 44th. The U.S. had a strong team display led by Liz Stephen in 16th place.

— The Canadian Press contributed to this report