SOLDIER HOLLOW, Utah (Reuters) - Italy's Stefania Belmondo has claimed the first gold of the 19th Winter Olympics, offering herself the perfect farewell present as she won the women's 15 km cross-country skiing event.
The 33-year-old veteran, who has announced she will quit the sport after the Games to start a family, won in a sprint finish from long-time rival Larisa Lazutina of Russia.
Lazutina saw her hopes of winning a sixth gold to equal the women's Olympic record dashed in the final few metres.
Belmondo, who now boasts eight Olympic medals as well as 13 from world championships, won in 39 minutes 54.4 seconds.
A bitterly disappointed Lazutina was less than two seconds behind, while third place went to Czech Katerina Neumannova. She had won a silver and bronze in Nagano four years ago.
Lazutina had looked set for victory in the final stages but Belmondo, whose only other Olympic gold came in the 30 km freestyle, found another gear and overtook her with the finish line in sight.
The race was a close run affair throughout, with less than seven seconds separating the first 14 at the halfway mark.
Lazutina, who won three titles in Nagano, and compatriot Yulia Chepalova, another major medal hope, shared the lead with Belmondo for much of the race, but no one could make the decisive break.
There was still a leading pack of nine at 11.6 km, but the gold and silver medallists broke clear on the final uphill of the course.
Chepalova had led at halfway but was closely shadowed by a large pack containing the pre-race favourites. She faded to fourth, around eight seconds behind the winner.
Lazutina, a real all-rounder and as comfortable in the classical discipline as in freestyle, will get several other chances of matching the women's Olympic record at Salt Lake City. Rarely missing the podium, she has now won medals in her last six Games races.