Sweden wins 1st gold medal of PyeongChang

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.

Kalla skied away from Norwegian superstar Marit Bjoergen as she captured gold in 40 minutes 44.9 seconds.

2010 and 2014 winner Bjoergen had to settle for silver, 7.8 seconds behind, taking a women's record 11th medal overall, six of them gold.

Finland's Krista Parmakoski earned bronze, another 2.3 seconds back.

Barbara Jezersek was the first Australian over the finished line in 39th, ahead of the 50th-placed Jessica Yeaton.