Estonian Kristina Smigun took her first ever Olympic gold medal in the women's cross country 15km pursuit at the 20th Winter Olympics on Sunday.

Smigun finished in 42 minutes 48.7 seconds, edging Czech Katerina Neumannova into second place in 42:50.6. Evgenia Medvedeva-Abruzova of Russia took the bronze medal in 43:03.2.

This was the first Olympic gold for 29-year-old Smigun, who was only seventh on the Olympic level in the 30km classical and 15km free at the Salt Lake City Winter Games four years ago.

"I was so good at the beginning of the season and I trained very hard. Thanks to people around me," Smigun said.

"I have been skiing for more than 10 years, this was perfect." she added.

Women's 15km pursuit is newly included to the Winter Olympics with 7.5km classical and 7.5km free.

In 2002, she collected two silvers in the 5km pursuit and 15km free, and finished second in the 5km classical in Nagano, Japan.

Overall ranked sixth in the 2005-06 World Cup season, Neumannova lifted the title in 10km free at the 2005 World Championships.

"It was good. It was only me and Kristina. So it was clear that silver and gold would be me and Kristina. But Kristina was just too fast today. It was a very fast competition. I liked the snow conditions, and I think it was very nice for the spectators."

Medvedeva-Abruzova, 30, won the silver medal in the 4X5km relay at the 2005 World Championships. She was very happy about the result on her debut at an Olympic Games.

"I didn't expect it but my aim was to win. Now I feel that I can compete to win medals."

"I felt very good and very comfortable. My hands did not shake when I was running. I didn't look back. I just went on and on."

Favorite Marit Bjorgen of Norway withdrew from the race when she was 29th at the 4.9 kilometer intermediate course, already 21. 1 seconds behind Smigun.

According to Norwegian cross country team doctor Hans Petter Stokke, Bjorgen had some feelings of fatigue and disturbance in the stomach since one hour before the race started.

Women's 15km pursuit is newly included to the Winter Olympics with 7.5km classical and 7.5km free.

Following is the factfile of the women's cross country 15km pursuit winner Kristina Smigun at the Turin Winter Olympic Games on Sunday:

2006: Gold medalist in the women's 15km pursuit at the Turin Winter Olympic Games

2005: Fourth place in the women's 10km free at the World Championships

2005: 13th place in the women's 4X5km relay at the World Championships

2005: 14th place in the women's 30km classical at the World Championships

2003: gold medalist in the women's 2X5km double pursuit at the World Championships

2003: silver medalist in the women's 10km classical at the World Championships

2003: silver medalist in the women's 15km classical at the World Championships

2003: bronze medalist in the women's 30km free at the World Championship

2002: seventh place in the women's 30km classical at the Salt Lake City Winter Games

2002: seventh place in the women's 15km free at the Salt Lake City Winter Games

2002: 13th place in the women's 5km pursuit at the Salt Lake City Winter Games

2002: 25th place in the women's sprint at the Salt Lake City Winter Games

Source: Xinhua

Source: Xinhua