Cross-Country Skiing: Sweden's Kalla Wins Women's 10km Free, Switzerland's Cologna Takes Men's 15km

A pair of historic medals were won in Cross-Country Skiing Monday afternoon.

First, Sweden's Charlotte Kalla won gold in the Women's 10km Freestyle race, taking home her country's first medal of the 2010 Winter Games. Kristina Smigun-Vaehi of Estonia won silver and Norway's Marit Bjoergen claimed bronze.

"It feels crazy right now, I can't believe I am a gold medallist," said Kalla. "It felt good the whole race, I just tried to focus on my plan and be patient. It feels great."

Later in the day, the men competed in the 15km Free, and Dario Cologna of Switzerland was the champion, winning by over 24 seconds. Pietro Piller Cottrer, the brash Italian veteran, won silver, and Czech Republic's Lukas Bauer, the 2006 silver medalist in the 15km Classic, took bronze.

Norway's Tord Asle Gjerdalen was the highest finisher for his country, in 28th position. It was one of the worst cross-country skiing performances is the history of the Norway.

For those wondering what the difference between Free and Classic is: "classic technique, where the skis move parallel to each other through machine-groomed tracks in the snow, and free technique, where skiers propel themselves in a manner similar to speed skating, pushing off with the edge of their skis."

The more you know. 

More: SB Nation’s full coverage of the Winter Olympics and the 2010 Winter Olympics Medal Count Tracker.