2ND LEAD Kalla beats record-breaking Bjoergen for first Pyeongchang gold By John Bagratuni, dpa

Pyeongchang, South Korea (dpa) - Sweden‘s Charlotte Kalla attacked on the first climb of the last lap to win the first of 102 gold medals on offer at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, in the women‘s 15-kilometre skiathlon cross-country ski race Saturday.Kalla, 30, claimed her third career gold as she won from Norwegian superstar Marit Bjoergen and Krista Parmakoski of Finland.The 37-year-old Bjoergen picked up her 11th medal to become the most decorated women‘s Winter Olympian, breaking a tie with Soviet/Russian Raisa Smetanina and Stefania Belmondo of Italy.With a haul of 6-4-1, Bjoergen can also become the most successful Winter Olympian overall in her last Olympics. She currently trails countrymen Ole Einar Bjoerndalen (8-4-1) and Bjoern Daehlie (8-4-0).Kalla raised her Games haul to 3-3-0, the other golds coming in the 10km in 2010 and the relay 2014, and is now in a similar league as famous compatriots such as Gunde Svan and Thomas Wassberg."It is hard to believe because they are legends," she said. "It is crazy to be named in the same sentences with them."Bjoergen controlled the first half of the race in classic style in her bid to win the skiathlon a third straight time.But Kalla then got the surprise move in the second lap of the freestyle portion, attacking on the first of three climbs."During the first skating lap I knew I felt good. My plan was to do something quite early in the last skating lap," Kalla said, adding she wasn‘t aware that Bjoergen and others weren‘t able to follow."I just focussed on my performance. I have been through the zone of pain many times in summer and fall. I just looked forward all the time."Bjoergen said she expected the attack but "there was a skier between us. I had to have her very close to go with her. I wanted to attack in last uphill, I knew Charlotte would not wait for that."Charlotte is a very good friend and I am happy for her," added Bjoergen who has trained together with the Swede. "I am not disappointed. I am very happy with silver."Kalla held on for victory in 40 minutes 44.9 seconds on a sunny afternoon at the Alpensia ski centre, raising her fists in the air in delight as she crossed the line and avenged her loss to Bjoergen in the race four years ago by 7.8 seconds. Jessica Diggins placed fifth as she narrowly missed a first-ever cross country medal for an American woman.