Skier Savely Korostelev said he would have to do something unimaginable to overtake the three-time Olympic champion Alexandra Bolshunova in the uphill race and win the mini-round as part of the Russian Cup final in Kirovsk.
On Friday, Bolshunov won the time trial in the classic style at the PhosAgro Russian Cup final in Kirovsk. He covered a distance of 15 kilometers in 37 minutes 18.2 seconds. Korostelev took second place (+6.00). On Sunday, the tournament will end with an uphill race: a mass start of 10 km freestyle. In the mini-tour standings in Kirovsk, Korostelev was 36.9 seconds behind Bolshunov going into the final race.
—Bolshunov was more powerful than you in many areas.
“And I walked more powerfully in the segments where he walked more slowly.” But most of the race today is on flat ground. On the plain, Bolshunov was passing with more force, and behind me there were lifting elements.
– Six seconds behind Bolshunov – are you satisfied with this race result?
“At least I didn’t make a big loss.” But I wanted to get a little closer to Alexandre in the mini-tour rankings.
— Have you ever gone into at least one race this season thinking it was impossible to beat Bolshunov?
“You have to take part in all the races with the idea of beating him, he’s also a human being.” I never think I’ve ever lost before the race. Maybe only when I had a recovery period after having my wisdom teeth removed in December.
– Uphill race, what are your expectations?
– I do not know what it is. The mountain is the kind of place where you get stuck. But to gain 37 seconds on a mountain 10 kilometers from Bolshunov, you have to do something with something. If he says he’s playing now after an illness, then there’s a chance. Let Bolshunov pretend to be sick. I will be determined to be healthy.
— The task is to maintain second place at the end of the mini-round?
“I will do everything to win the mini-tour, but it will be very difficult. At the same time, I haven’t run uphill, I don’t know how my body will behave. Maybe I’m a minor, maybe not. There is definitely no fear of the mountains, there will be beautiful views! — the correspondent reports Korostelev’s remarks.
On Sunday April 7, mass starts will take place during the Russian Cup final. Watch the broadcast of the women’s race on from 09:35 (Moscow time), the men’s race from 10:40 (Moscow time). You can also follow the progress of the races on the sites sportbox.ru and matchtv.ru.
Source : MatchTV
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