Cross-Country: Poland’s Kowalczyk Wins Gold In Grueling 30km Event

On Saturday afternoon, Justyna Kowalczyk of Poland claimed the gold medal in the women’s 30km cross-country medal event. Kowalczyk finished with a time of 1:30:33.7. Taking the silver was Marit Bjørgen of Norway with a 1:30:34 time. Aino-Kaisa Saarinen of Finland won the bronze, finishing at 1:31:38.7.

The 30km cross-country is one of the very most grueling events of the Winter Olympics. In Vancouver, the difference between the highest point and lowest point of the course is a whopping 279 feet.