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Olympic women's 30km freestyle cross country race

Julija Tchepalova of Russia (C), the gold medalist for the Olympic women's 30-kilometer freestyle cross country race, waves to spectators at an awards ceremony in Hakuba, central Japan on Feb. 20. She is flanked by Stefania Belmondo (R) of Italy who took the silver medal and Russia's Larissa Lazutina (L), the bronze medalist.

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Tchepalova shows great joy after winning

Julija Tchepalova of Russia shows great joy after winning her first gold medal in the Olympic women's 30-kilometer freestyle cross country skiing in Hakuba, central Japan, on Feb. 20.

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Tchepalova wins 30km freestyle

Julija Tchepalova of Russia edges past Italian favorite Stefania Belmondo to win the Olympic women's 30-kilometer freestyle cross country race in Kakuba, central Japan, on Feb. 20. The 21-year-old skier, dubbed ''the future'' of Russian cross country skiing, finished the grueling race in 1 hour, 22 minutes, 1.5 seconds. Belmondo won the silver medal 10.2 seconds behind while another Russian, Larissa Lazutina, got the bronze 1:14.2 back for her fifth medal of the Nagano Games.