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Tchekaleva gets first World Cup victory
Yulia Tchekaleva of Russia has won her first ever World Cup with her victory in the Rybinsk in the ladies’ 15km Skiathlon. Her winning time of 44:16.0 gave her a +15.6 second margin over second place finisher Martine Ek Hagen of Norway. In third place was Finland’s Riitta-Liissa Roponen +22.9 behind. Tchekaleva attacked at the end of the classic portion of the competition and skied alone for the final 7.5 km in the skate technique. Ek Hagen broke away from the chase group on the first lap of three laps in the skate portion but was unable to catch Tchekaleva and was also alone to the finish. Roponen pulled away from the chasing group with Germany’s Steffi Boehler in the final kilometers and held off Boehler at the finish.
•First World Cup podium for Ek Hagen
•First individual World Cup podium for Roponen since Tour de Ski 2010.
•First World Cup victory for Tchekaleva
•First World Cup podium for Tchekaleva since Szklarska Poreba 2014
ATHLETE QUOTES
Yulia Tchekaleva RUS
I tried to save energy in the classic part of the race. I just tried to stay with the front group but not work too hard. When we switched to skating I felt that I had a lot of power so I went for the victory. It was really nice to win my first World Cup here in Russia.
Martine Ek Hagen NOR
This is my first World Cup podium and I am very happy. It was a hard race today. When Yulia (Tchekaleva) attacked I tried to go get her and hoped someone else would be able to come with me but I was alone. Which I guess is good because I was able to get second place. It will be difficult to make the Norwegian team for the World Championships but I feel really good right now and I hope I can make the team
Riitta-Liisa Roponen FIN
It has been a long time since I was on the podium for an individual result. It was a hard fight with Steffi (Boehler) to the finish and I was hoping that I could stay ahead of her and I did. I am feeling very good right now. But I am not sure that I thought I would be on the podium today so I am very happy that I was.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Ladies 15 km Skiathlon
1. Yulia Tchekaleva RUS 44:16.0
2. Martine Ek Hagen NOR +15.6
3. Riitta-Liisa Roponen FIN +22.9
OVERALL WORLD CUP STANDINGS
1. Marit Bjoergen NOR 1588 pts
2. Therese Johaug NOR 1138 pts
3. Heidi Weng NOR 1017 pts
WORLD CUP DISTANCE STANDINGS
1. Marit Bjoergen NOR 638 pts
2. Therese Johaug NOR 612 pts
3. Heidi Weng NOR 491 pts
•First individual World Cup podium for Roponen since Tour de Ski 2010.
•First World Cup victory for Tchekaleva
•First World Cup podium for Tchekaleva since Szklarska Poreba 2014
ATHLETE QUOTES
Yulia Tchekaleva RUS
I tried to save energy in the classic part of the race. I just tried to stay with the front group but not work too hard. When we switched to skating I felt that I had a lot of power so I went for the victory. It was really nice to win my first World Cup here in Russia.
Martine Ek Hagen NOR
This is my first World Cup podium and I am very happy. It was a hard race today. When Yulia (Tchekaleva) attacked I tried to go get her and hoped someone else would be able to come with me but I was alone. Which I guess is good because I was able to get second place. It will be difficult to make the Norwegian team for the World Championships but I feel really good right now and I hope I can make the team
Riitta-Liisa Roponen FIN
It has been a long time since I was on the podium for an individual result. It was a hard fight with Steffi (Boehler) to the finish and I was hoping that I could stay ahead of her and I did. I am feeling very good right now. But I am not sure that I thought I would be on the podium today so I am very happy that I was.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Ladies 15 km Skiathlon
1. Yulia Tchekaleva RUS 44:16.0
2. Martine Ek Hagen NOR +15.6
3. Riitta-Liisa Roponen FIN +22.9
OVERALL WORLD CUP STANDINGS
1. Marit Bjoergen NOR 1588 pts
2. Therese Johaug NOR 1138 pts
3. Heidi Weng NOR 1017 pts
WORLD CUP DISTANCE STANDINGS
1. Marit Bjoergen NOR 638 pts
2. Therese Johaug NOR 612 pts
3. Heidi Weng NOR 491 pts
Source: fis-ski.com
