PRAGELATO, Italy, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- Katerina Neumannova won the Czech Republic's first gold medal of the Turin Winter Olympicswith a victory in the women's 30km free skiing mass start event onFriday, the final day of the women's Olympic cross-country competition.

    The 33-year-old, racing in the final race of what she has said are her last Games, won the tough competition with one hour, 22 minutes and 25.4 seconds.

    Neumannova, silver medallist of in the 15km pursuit on the first day of action, hoisted her daughter with her arms shortly after she finished the marathon race.

    "I just can't believe it," Neumannova said. "For me is like a dream and I do not want to wake up. I wanted Olympic gold for so long."

    Julija Tchepalova of Russia claimed the silver at 1:22:26.8, her second medal of these games after taking gold in the 4x5km relay last Saturday. She won this race in the 1998 Olympics in Nagano.

    "I am happy to have a medal even though it is a silver," Tchepalova said.

    Justyna Kowalczyk crossed the line in 1:22:27.5 for the bronze,Poland's first medal in Turin.

    It appeared the competition was a matter between favorites Tchepalova and Kowalczyk. They fought until the final sprint for the gold medal, but then they were surprised by Neumannova as she passed them on the right side with a powerful surge through the final 20 meters.

    "It was a hard race. I felt really tired in the last lap and I believed I could fight for bronze," said Neumannova, "But I don't know what happened at the finish - I was able to do it."

    Defending Olympic champion Gabriella Paruzzi of Italy placed fifth. Kristina Smigun of Estonia, who won women's pursuit and 10km classical, came in eighth.

    China had three players participating in the competition, as LiHongxue finished 33rd, Liu Yuanyuan 45th and Huo Li 46th. Enditem (¡¡By Xu Zheng )