Winter sports - Bolshunov claims World Cup cross-country gold in Italy

The Russian crossed the line in 34:48.4 minutes, almost 44 seconds before any of his competitors in the Italian Aosta Valley.

The champion said: "With every minute, the snow got softer and softer ,and one really needed some good skis."

It was somewhat of a family affair in Cogne as Finland's Iivo Niskanen managed second place with a time of 35:32.1 after his sister Kerttu also reached the podium in the ladies 10km earlier in the day.

Russia's Alexander Bessmertnykh earned bronze, coming in 12.2 seconds after Niskanen.