Bjoergen, Norway get gold again

PYEONGCHANG, Korea, Republic Of

Marit Bjoergen of Norway closed out her career — and the Winter Games — by adding another gold to her record-breaking collection.

The 37-year-old Bjoergen finished the women’s 30-kilometre mass start in 1 hour, 22 minutes, 17.6 seconds — more than 1:49 ahead of silver medallist Krista Parmakoski of Finland for her 15th overall medal. That is the most by any athlete in Winter Olympic history.

“When I look behind me and see what I have done, it’s incredible,” said Bjoergen, who has won eight gold medals. “It has been an amazing career for me. This is my last Olympics and to finish like this is incredible.”

Bjoergen’s latest medal also gave Norway 14 overall in cross-country skiing in Pyeongchang, breaking the record of 13 held by the Soviet Union in 1988. The Norwegians leave the games with 39 overall medals, also a Winter Games record.

Bjoergen had already surpassed Norwegian biathlete Ole Einar Bjourndalen for the most Winter Games medals ever. She has eight career golds, four silvers and three bronze medals.

“Of course I’m very proud of myself to do what I’ve done,” Bjoergen said. “It’s been an incredible career for me.”

Stina Nilsson of Sweden won bronze. Teresa Stadlober of Austria had been in second place but accidentally took a wrong turn and finished ninth.

Also on Sunday, Germany won the four-man bobsled competition, and Sweden beat South Korea's “Garlic Girls” for gold in women's curling.