Kowalczyk outsprints Bjoergen in epic finale to 30km

From Sportsbeat staff, in Whistler

JUSTYNA Kowalczyk won a desperate sprint finish with Norway's Marit Bjoergen to win the women's cross country 30km mass start race at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

FINALLY ON TOP: Justyna Kowalczyk has waited all Games but has finally clinched cross country gold in the 30km mass start (Getty Images)

The two were ahead on their own for the final 8km and a monumental effort in the final straight saw Kowalczyk hold off Bjoergen's challenge to become Poland's first female Winter Olympic champion.

It was the face-off everyone had been waiting for in Whistler - the star of the World Cup season against the star of the Olympic Games.

Bjoergen's teammate Kristin Stoermer Steira had made the initial break from a leading group of 12 in the final 10km lap but when Bjoergen made her move after 22km, only Kowalczyk could hang on.

The Pole hasn't had a disappointing Games, taking her Olympic medal tally to three with individual sprint silver and 15km double pursuit bronze.

But Bjoergen had been untouchable in Vancouver, leaving all in her wake on the way to three golds and a bronze.

Having only competed in eight of the 23 World Cup races, Bjoergen was undoubtedly the fresher of the two as they off on their sixth and final loop of the Whistler Olympic Park course with 5km remaining.

The image of Bjoergen pulling away from the field had become a familiar one in Whistler, but this time it was different.

Kowalczyk, who has missed just one World Cup event this season, would not be dropped, despite the Norwegian's best efforts and the Pole took to the front with 800m left, stretching 10m away as they approached the stadium for the final time.

But the Norwegian came roaring back as they took to the back straight and pulled out round the final bend to challenge Kowalczyk to a straight shoot-out to the line.

And while Bjoergen edged slightly in front, seemingly heading for her fourth gold of the Games, she couldn't hold the pace and a desperate Kowalczyk dived over the line, finishing just 0.3 seconds ahead after a 1:30:33.7 hours race.

And the Pole admitted it took a special effort to ward off the Norwegian's late push for the line.

"I was fighting at the end for sure," said Kowalczyk, who also lifted the gruelling Tour de Ski title in January. "I don't even remember the last 200 metres but this is the Olympics and you must fight.

"I feel great now. I am tired as well but it feels so good to be number one."

Finland's Aino-Kaisa Saarinen finished clear in third for her first medal of the Games, 1:05.0 minutes behind the front two.

 AS IT HAPPENS: Day 16 of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver