Yulia Chepalova has completed a Russian clean-sweep of the Olympic women's cross-country gold medals after winning the women's 30km freestyle competition at Hakuba.

The 21-year-old, in her first senior international championships, won an exhausting struggle with Stefania Belmondo of Italy.

Larissa Lazutina, who had won two individual golds and an individual silver as well as the relay gold, finished her Olympic career with a bronze medal.

With most of the Russian team about to retire, Chepalova's win could not have come at a better time.

Elena Vaelbe, who won all five gold medals at last year's world championships, finished her Olympic career without an individual gold medal after coming fifth, behind Norway's Elin Nilsen.

Chepalova was fastest away at the start but by 11km she had conceded 8sec to Belmondo.

Lazutina was a further 27sec back in third place with Elena Vaelba 43sec off the pace in fourth place.

Belmondo was still almost seven seconds ahead of Chepalova by 22km as the race developed into a two-woman race.

But the Russian overhauled the Italian in the next 4km and finished in 1hr 22min 1.5sec.

Results:

• 1 Yulia Chepalova (RUS) 1hr 22min 01.5sec
• 2 Stefania Belmondo (ITA) 1h22:11.7
• 3 Larissa Lazutina (RUS) 1h23:15.7
• 4 Elin Nilsen (NOR) 1h24:24.5
• 5 Elena Vaelbe (RUS) 1h24:52.8
• 6 Maria Theurl (AUT) 1h24:54.3
• 7 Brigitte Albrecht (SWI) 1h25:15.0
• 8 Irina Taranenko Terelia (UKR) 1h25:22.3
• 9 Marit Mikkelsplass (NOR) 1h25:36.9
• 10 Gabriella Paruzzi (ITA) 1h26:06.0

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