Marit Bjoergen of Norway wins the gold medal in women's individual cross-country sprint

Marit Bjoergen of Norway won the gold medal in the women's individual cross-country sprint at the Vancouver Games.

Bjoergen pulled away from Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland and Petra Majdic of Slovenia in a frantic finish to cross the line in 3 minutes, 39.2 seconds. Kowalczyk won the silver medal, and Majdic took bronze.

Majdic was the pre-race favorite but was hampered after injuring her ribs in a training crash earlier Wednesday.

Bjoergen won the bronze medal in the 10K race Monday and had two silver medals from previous Olympics.

-- Houston Mitchell in Vancouver