Natalia Nepryaeva has claimed the first medal for the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team at the Beijing Winter Olympics after she won silver in the women’s 15km skiathlon.
Nepryaeva finished second behind Norway’s Therese Johaug, while Teresa Stadlober of Austria picked up the bronze.
Johaug covered the 15km distance – split into 7.5km of classic technique and 7.5km of freestyle – in 44 minutes, 13.7 seconds.
Nepryaeva finished 30.2 seconds behind Johaug, but edged out Stadlober by 0.3 seconds in a thrilling battle for second spot.
“It was very difficult weather, very cold, especially cold during the classic [stage],” Nepryaeva told Match TV of the freezing conditions in Beijing.
“But it was the same for everyone. I was determined to give my maximum. I’m glad everything worked out. I don’t even realize it yet, but I’m extremely happy. Everything wasn’t in vain.”