Triple Olympic champion in cross-country skiing and biathlon Anfisa Reztsova before the start of the competition, she psychologically influenced her rivals, and this paid off, said the president of the Russian Ski Competition Federation Elena Vyalbe .
These days in Malinovka (Arkhangelsk region) the Championship Heights competitions are held, which are an alternative to the world championship taking place in Planica, Slovenia.
– How correct is it to say that an athlete’s goal is to defeat a certain opponent? After all, it’s extra pressure.
– Everything is individual. Some athletes set a goal to beat someone, yes, but it’s very difficult for an athlete without a goal. If you don’t want to beat the leader, why are you going to the start? If I had such a goal myself, it wouldn’t cause me any additional pressure. Another thing is when party workers came in Soviet times and said we should [победить] for the Fatherland, behind Moscow there is nowhere to retreat. It’s immediately embarrassing.
Stepanova is never shy in her statements, she never hesitates to say what she expects from herself. It’s his style. And if the rivals read his words, they will be immediately killed before the start. Maybe it’s the style.
– That is to say, get angry and crush your opponents?
– Yes maybe. Anfisa Reztsova has already used this method, and it also paid off. Anfisa approached the athletes before the start and said, “Well, you’ll get half a minute from me today!” It was in the starting town. And for many, this had a negative effect.
– On you too?
“Fortunately, she never approached me like that. But I have personally seen and heard this.
– Did you do that?
– No. For the only time in my life, I said I would win the race tomorrow and I very much regretted it. Although she ended up winning. After that, I never said that again.
– Why did you regret it?
“Because the race was very difficult,” reports the correspondent to Vyalba.
On March 1, as part of the Championship Heights competition, a men’s 15 km race with a separate start will take place. Watch the live broadcast from 10:40 a.m. Moscow time on and Match! Arena”, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
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