Poland grabbed its first two gold medals at the Harbin Winter Universiade on Thursday, a leisure day with only three titles on offer.

Katarzyna Karasinska of Poland competes during the women's slalom of alpine skiing in the 24th Winter Universiade at the Yabuli Ski Resort 195km southeast away from Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 26, 2009. Katarzyna Karasinska claimed the title with 1:25.39.[Xinhua/Xu Yu]

Katarzyna Karasinska awarded Poland its first gold of the Universiade when she won the women's slalom in one minute and 25.39 seconds from two runs in Yabuli, another venue, some 200kms away from Harbin.

Eliane Volken of Switzerland took the silver by 0.76 seconds and Polish Aleksandra Klus pocketed the bronze.

Karasinska finished the first run in first place in 42.69 seconds and a similiar 42.70 seconds in the second run to secure the top place.

From the men's speed skating team pursuit in Harbin, Slawomir Chmura, Konrad Niedzwiedzki and Sebastian Druszkiewicz of Poland nipped the victory on 3:52.96 in a tough final against South Korea.

Team members of Poland celebrate after the men's team pursuit final of speed skating in the 24th World Winter Universiade at Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 26, 2009. Poland claimed the gold medal with a time of 03:52.96. [Xinhua/Fan Jun]

South Korea's Song Jin Soo, Mo Tae Bum, Yeo Sang Yeop were edged to the second place on 3:52.99, while Russia was third, beating the Netherlands to fourth.

Skaters of Poland competes during the men's team pursuit final of speed skating in the 24th World Winter Universiade at Harbin, capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Feb. 26, 2009.[Xinhua/Fan Jun][Xinhua/Xing Guangli]

The other gold medal of the day went to China as its women speed skaters beat their South Korean peers to win the women's team pursuit.

The Chinese trio of long-course champions Dong Feifei and Fu Chunyan as well as 3,000m bronze medallist Ji Jia, finished their six-lap final in three minutes and 7.38 seconds, beating South Korea's Lee Ju Youn, Noh Seon Yeong and Cho Hye Soo to second on 3:12.37.

Poland took the bronze medal after Luiza Zlotkowska, Natalia Czerwonka and Ewelina Przeworska timed 3:08.97 to outclass a Russian trio.

With last 13 golds on offer in the coming two days, China led the medal tally with 16 gold, 17 silver and 12 bronze medals, while Russia was in a close second (14-11-14), South Korea third (12-7-9).

(Xinhua News Agency Feburary 27, 2009)