Career
Terentyev was born in a large Karelian family of nine siblings and spoke Finnish. Although he skied since early age, he started training on a proper equipment only when he joined the Soviet Army in 1944. At the 1956 Olympics he performed below expectations in his individual races, but was instrumental in winning the relay gold medal.
Next year, after winning the 30 km race at the Soviet Army Championships, he collapsed and died on the way to hospital.
He was 37 years old.