Tchekaleva earned her maiden World Cup win in the women's 15 kilometre race in a time of 44mins 16.0 seconds, finishing a commanding 15.6 seconds ahead of Norwegian Martine Ek Hagen, while Riitta-Liissa Roponen of Finland took third.

After a close opening, Tchekaleva began to break away 7.5km in and although Ek Hagen did launch a spirited fightback, she couldn't quite catch the double Olympic bronze medallist, who was virtually alone at the finish as she sealed a comfortable win.

"It was really nice to win my first World Cup here in Russia," she said.

"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."

Yulia Tchekaleva completed a superb event for her nation as she won the women's 15km race ©Getty Images



In the men's 30km race, Russia prevailed once more as Vylegzhanin crossed the line a mere 2.7 seconds in front of Swiss star Dario Cologna, who won his first World Cup 15km free event yesterday, while Finland claimed another third place spot thanks to Matti Heikkinen.

"This is my first podium and win this season and it's nice that it came in Russia," Vylegzhanin said.

"The spectators are so great here.

"I had very good skis today and I am happy to be the strongest at the finish."

The result means Cologna moves up to second place in the overall World Cup standings behind Martin Johnsrud Sundby, who opted to miss the meet in Rybinsk.

That in truth has been the pattern of the event as the women's overall top three - made up of Norwegian trio Marit Bjørgen, Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng - are also all absent from the meet with the World Championships in Falun, Sweden looming large on the horizon.

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