Russian cross-country skier and three-time Olympic precious metal medalist, being successful all her golds within the 4 x 5 meter race. She earned her first yellow metal medal in worldwide competition on the 1989 Globe Championships. She earned a complete of five medals on the 1992 Wintertime Olympics, including one yellow metal. She was wedded to Estonian cross-country skier Urmas Välbe, however the few divorced in 2005. She earned gold on the 1998 Wintertime Olympics where skier Bjorn Daehlie earned three yellow metal medals.