CROSS COUNTRY: Australian cross country skier Aimee Watson has pulled off a performance her nation should be extremely proud of, after pushing herself to the limit to finish the gruelling 30km Mass Start Free.

As Watson entered the stadium for the final time the crowd erupted, chanting her name and urging her across the finishing line in what was another advertisement of the never-say-die attitude that comes with wearing the green and gold uniform.

Well off the back of the field and little chance of making up anymore places the 26-year-old toughed it out to come 54th, ensuring another Olympic result to her name.

“When I start something I like to finish it,” Watson said. 

“Not many people get the opportunity to be at the Olympics and everyone in Australia knows how hard it is for all of us to get here.

“You may not be the fastest skier out there but you’re proud of what you’ve achieved.”

In a race where Norway clean-sweeped the medals, Watson was 22:54.9 off gold medallist Marit Bjoergen on what is renowned as one of the toughest courses on the world circuit. 

“The snow held up better than it did in the 10km event but it was still a bit slushy but it was the big hills that made it really tough,” Watson said.

“It was very tiring and I didn’t feel like I had a lot of energy in my legs so I sort of knew from the start that I would be skiing on my own.

“It was a big effort for me to get here so just being on the start line was something that made me happy.” 

Watson will head home after her first Olympic Games hoping to return in four years for another go on the world’s greatest stage.

“I don’t know what lies between now and then but I’m hoping I can stay injury-free and then come into the next Games in a better position than I was here.” 

For Bjoergen the gold medal confirmed her as the most successful female winter athlete ever, with three gold in Sochi and six gold overall.

She was joined on the podium by teammates Therese Johaug and Kristin Steira who dominated the event from start to finish.

The trio steadily built a 16 second lead by the 10km mark and then continued to increase their advantage throughout the race.Heading up the final ascent three became two as Bjoergen and Johaug picked up the pace and dropped Steira before Bjoergen was to strong down the final straight. 

The 30km Mass Start wrapped up the Cross Country program for Australia with no representatives tackling the men’s 50km Mass Start on the final day of the Sochi Games.