Three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov was, is and remains one of the best skiers in the world, despite the lack of international competitions, the senior coach of the Russian national team told . Yuri Borodavko .
On Sunday, Bolshunov won the 15-kilometer freestyle mass start at the sixth stage of the Alfa-Bank Russian Ski Cup in Tyumen, posting a time of 39 minutes 54.4 seconds. For him, this victory was already his 17th in a row in the Russian Cup. Chervotkin took second place (+1.1 seconds), Anton Timashov took third place (+4.6).
— It’s good that Alexander managed to win. Alexey Chervotkin actually applied the tactic he had chosen from the start: a strong finish on the final climb, where he took a break. But unfortunately, Alexey is not yet ready to face Bolshunov at the finish line. However, at least for himself, Chervotkin got off to a good start and eventually took second place. It makes me happy too. He is in good condition before one of the main starts of the season.
— Is Bolshunov capable of winning all the races this season?
— He has already won 17 races in a row. It’s a testament to his strength, his spirit and his passion for the season. However, I don’t think Alexander sets such goals for himself, he solves the local goals he sets before each race. And as it happens, so it will be. We can only guess.
— FLGR President Elena Vyalbe said that Bolshunov is the world leader in skiing, despite the absence of Russians at international competitions. Do you agree?
— He remains one of the strongest skiers in the world. Yet we cannot weaken the authority of the same Klebo, Kruger and other skiers who win at the World Cup stages and world championships. Bolshunov simply maintains his high level. Unfortunately, in cross-country skiing you cannot simply compare results, as you can in swimming or track and field. In skiing, there are only head-to-head competitions. But Alexander was and remains one of the strongest skiers in the world,” Borodavko told .
The next start of skiers will be the Spartakiad of the Strongest, which will be held from February 9 to 18 in Tyumen.
On February 9, from 08:35 (Moscow time), watch live broadcast of the Spartakiad cross-country skiing competitions on the channel, matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru sites.
Source : MatchTV
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