WHISTLER, Canada, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- Sweden's Charlotte Kalla won the title of the women's 10km cross-country free skiing here Monday in the ongoing Vancouver Winter Olympics.
Kalla finished the course in 24 minutes and 58.4 seconds. Kristina Smigun-Vaehi from Estonia placed second with 6.6 seconds behind. Marit Bjoergen from Norway clocked in 25 minutes and 14.3 seconds to take the bronze medal.
After the competition, the 22-year-old Kalla said she couldn't believe she was the gold medallist.
It feels crazy right now. I cannot believe I am a gold medallist, she said.
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| Sweden's Charlotte Kalla acts during the women's Cross-Country Skiing 10km free at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler Olympic Park, Canada, Feb. 15, 2010. |
After I had crossed the finish line, I knew that I had some seconds to the ones that started in front of me. But I wanted to keep fighting for every second I could get in the last kilometre, she explained.
I'm so happy, but I think I have to have a lot of distance before it can come to me for real. This is an Olympic gold medal, she added.
The silver medallist Smigun-Vaehi has just had a little girl.
I hope she understands that her mum is a very tough lady. I hope she understands, but I just want to hug her and enjoy this moment with my family, she said.
China's Li Hongxue timed 27 minutes and 5.7 seconds to finish in 35th place. Her teammate Li Xin clocked 28 minutes and 52.2 seconds to finish in 65th place.
In total, 78 athletes took part in the women's 10 km cross-country free skiing at the 21st Winter Olympics.
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| Sweden's Charlotte Kalla reacts after the women's Cross-Country Skiing 10km free at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Whistler Olympic Park, Canada, Feb. 15, 2010 |
