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Kowalczyk hospitalised after black out

PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp 12.01.2015 11:35
Polish cross-country skier Justyna Kowalczyk was hospitalised, Sunday, after passing out during the 9km climb pursuit in Val di Fiemme, Italy.
Justyna Kowalczyk (under a blanket) is transported from the final climb pursuit course in Val di Fiemme, Italy, after passing out less than a kilometre from the finish. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz MomotJustyna Kowalczyk (under a blanket) is transported from the final climb pursuit course in Val di Fiemme, Italy, after passing out less than a kilometre from the finish. Photo: PAP/Grzegorz Momot

Kowalczyk started fifth in Sunday’s race, seven minutes behind Tour de Ski leader and arch-rival Marit Bjoergen, with the last stage taking cross-country skiers up the gruelling Alpe Cermis.

The Pole, who won gold at last year’s Olympic Games in Sochi and four of the last eight editions of the Tour de Ski, was ninth at the 8.1km-mark, but passed out before reaching the 8.5km-mark.

After a few hours, Kowalczyk emerged from hospital, telling public broadcaster TVP that “I left […] unaided, the doctors gave me a report but I don’t know Italian so I don’t know what to make of it”.

Meanwhile, Marit Bjoergen managed to triumph in the Tour de Ski, a first for the Norwegian.

Speaking after her victory, she said “to win the FIS Tour de Ski has been a goal for me for a long time. It took me nine years to achieve it. I knew I had to be strong before the last stage”. (jb)

Source: PAP/fis-ski.com

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