Norway's Johaug claims first gold of Beijing Winter Olympics. Photo: Cui Meng/GT

Graphic: Xu Zihe/GT

Therese Johaug of Norway claimed the first gold medal of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games on Saturday, winning the women's 15-kilometer skiathlon competition in cross-country skiing at the Zhangjiakou National Cross-Country Skiing Center.

The Norwegian finished the race in 44 minutes and 13.7 seconds. Natalia Nepryaeva of the Russian Olympic Committee was second, a distant 30.2 seconds behind Johaug. Teresa Stadlober of Austria took bronze, a further 0.3 seconds back. 

This is Johaug's fourth Olympic medal. She won gold in her Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010 in the 4x5-kilometer relay, and took bronze in the 10-kilometer individual and silver in the 30-kilometer mass start four years later in Sochi. 

Charlotte Kalla of Sweden, gold medalist at the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Games, finished 19th.

Norway's Johaug claims first gold of Beijing Winter Olympics.Photo:Cui Meng/GT

 

Norway's Johaug claims first gold of Beijing Winter Olympics.Photo:Cui Meng/GT

 
Four Chinese skiers participated in the competition, including Dinigeer Yilamujiang, one of the two Chinese athletes who lit the Olympic cauldron in the opening ceremony on Friday night. The skier, who hails from Altay, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, finished 43rd. Li Xin was the best Chinese performer at 33rd.

Athletes have to ski 15 kilometers in skiathlon: In the first half they need to ski using a classical technique and then switch to freestyle and technique for the second half.  

A total of 12 gold medals will be up for grabs in cross-country skiing at the Beijing Winter Games.

Global Times