Falla leads Norwegian 1-2 in women's sprint

Winner Maiken Caspersen Falla (L) of Norway and her team mate, second placed Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg celebrate after competing in the women's cross-country sprint free final at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Rosa Khutor February 11, 2014. REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach

ROSA KHUTOR, Russia (Reuters) - Norway's Maiken Caspersen Falla snatched her maiden Winter Olympic title when she won the cross-country sprint event on Tuesday after compatriot, defending champion and hot favourite Marit Bjoergen crashed out in the semi-finals.

Bjoergen, who won the individual sprint in Vancouver four years ago, was seeking her fifth Olympic title but failed to make the final where Falla was never threatened.