Iryna TARANENKO-TERELIA: There were tears of joy at the finish line

"Iryna, first let's recall the race in Ramzau."

"I would say it has been the most exhausting, but at the same time, my luckiest race in this championship. When you can see all your competitors, you don't have to think about seconds, and you can choose your tactics and strategy. In fact, just like your rivals can. The name of the game here is not to make unnecessary movements."

"By the way, what went into your choice of wax then?"

 "That's another story. The issue is that we don't have a coach responsible for this kind of work, something the leading world nations like, for instance, Russia can afford. In our team, all the ski coaches were engaged in choosing wax. They had to get up at 4 a.m. and come home at about 7 p.m. Besides, the Austrian weather is unpredictable. In open country, there was usually the sun shining, but in the valleys it was dark, which makes snow properties and characteristics different. Still, it seems to me that our coaches that specific day selected an ideal wax. My skies didn't slip and I didn't have to make unnecessary movements. I could see all the developments of the race, and the result is obvious."

"When did you feel the medal within your reach?"

"You know, I remembered too well the Nagano lesson, when the medal slipped away from me at the very finish of the race. This time I kept my concentration fully to the very finish line. It was only about ten meters from the finish, when I realized that I would finally get a medal in the world championship. And then I couldn't suppress my emotions any longer. While after my Nagano finish I had tears of frustration with defeat, this time there were tears of joy and victory in my eyes."

"Who was the first to meet you on the finishing range?"

"Yuri Dekhtiariov, our doctor. To him I gave my "lucky" starting number. He has been of great help to me, and actually to all the girls during the championship. On the whole, all our unit worked in harmony and coordination. It's a wonderful team we have. But I would like to say special words of gratitude specifically to our doctor. The other day he turned forty. Through your newspaper I would like to say happy birthday to him, to wish him great success in his work, and to go more often with us to contests, for his support cannot be overrated."

"Let's come back to the very beginning of the conversation: what plans did your have for this championship, what have you achieved and what have you not?"

"My plans mostly related to this 10 km. distance, which brought me the medal. There was also a task not to lose too much to my competitors in the 5 km., and to at least make it into the top ten. I think we accomplished this. In addition, I consider my performance at the 30 km. marathon distance as excellent. I had never before finished higher than eighth in the marathon. This time, all of a sudden, I was fifth. But then, to my mind, I raced the other events according to my capabilities. Someone may say that 27 seconds of loss at the 30 km. distance is too much. I don't agree. If I lost that time in a sprint, well, it would be really much. Then one should take into account the psychological and physical tiredness after the bronze race."

"And the traditional question: what are your plans for the future?"

"I don't object the idea of competing in Salt Lake City. I am very grateful to all those who had faith in me after my bad luck in Nagano and did not turn away from me when I had difficulties. This includes the State Sports Committee, Kyiv Oblast State Administration, and the Kolos Sports Society. I hope this first medal will not be the last. I will fight to win."