Liberec, Czech Republic - Justyna Kowalczyk attacked on the final turn to win a first cross-country skiing world title for the Polish women on Saturday, in the
15-kilometres pursuit.

Kowalczyk, 26, passed long-time leader Kristin Stoermer Steira of Norway and crossed the finish line in 40 minutes 55.3 seconds.

Steira trailed by 1.7 seconds as she missed out on a major individual title yet again despite setting a fierce pace. Thursday's 10km world champion Aino Kaisa Saarinen of Finland came third, 8.0 seconds behind the winner.

The three eventual medallists, plus Italy's 10km silver-medallist Marianna Longa and Valentina Shevchenko of Ukraine, had formed a five-strong leader group in the 7.5km classic style portion before Steira set a brutal pace in the freestyle part which eventually only Kowalczyk could follow.

"Kristin thank you very much," said Kowalczyk at the post-race news conference, smiling at her friendly rival sitting next to her.

"She knows and I know that we are not so good sprinters," said Kowalczyk. "I just closed my eyes and went. It was the race of my dreams, the best finish of my life."

Steira said she had seen it coming all the way as she failed to shake off Kowalczyk: "I tried and tried. I feared her sprint and then knew it would be silver. I was not surprised that she won."

Saarinen was happy with her bronze as it marked "my best ever result in the pursuit." She said she was eying further medals in the relay and 30km in Liberec.

Saturday's win was the biggest career success for Kowalczyk. She won a 30km bronze at the 2006 Olympics and got a bronze in Thursday's 10km. She has also won five World Cup races.

It was the second gold for Polish cross-country skiers overall at the worlds, following Josef Luszczek's 15km success 1978 in Lahti, Finland.

Steira, by contrast, missed a big title again despite her effort. She has a relay gold from the 2005 worlds, but on her own only a 30km silver 2007, and pursuit bronze 2005 and 2007 to go with Saturday's silver.

Kowalczyk's success could pave the way for a golden day for Poland at the worlds as compatriot Adam Malysz is the defending champion in a wide open normal hill ski-jumping competition set for later Saturday. (dpa)