Third gold for Bjoergen in 30km classic{mosimage}OBERSTDORF, Germany (Feb. 26) - Norway's Marit Bjoergen collected her fifth medal - her third gold - of the World Nordic Ski Championships Saturday as she broke away from the pack on the final uphill and skied to victory in the 30K classic mass start, the final women's race at the Championships. Wendy Wagner (Park City, UT) was 48th in the field of 60 while Rebecca  Dussault (Gunnison, CO) was a DNF after falling on the second 5K loop.

Bjoergen was timed in 1:27.05.8 for the six-lap race with Finn Virpi Kuitunen second (1:27.14.7) and Natalia Baranova-Masolkina of Russia in third place. Bjoergen previously had carried Norway to wins in the 4x5K relay and the team sprint in addition to being silver medalist in the 15K pursuit and bronze medalist in the opening 10K freestyle.

Wagner's time was 1:40.56.9.

- USSA Reports

Pick up Ski Racing's next issue (#12) for a profile of Bjoergen.