These days in the Arkhangelsk region is one of the two main starts of the ski season in Russia – “Champion Heights”. Particular attention to the competition, as often happens, is riveted to the leaders of the national team Alexander Bolshunov, Natalia Nepryaeva, Alexander Terentiev and other representatives of Yuri Borodavko’s group, who demonstrate decent results in Malinovka.
In fact, the correspondent of “” decided to speak with the legendary coach himself and discussed with him the potential of “Championship Heights”, the Parallel World Championship in Planica and the future plans of his athletes.
– Satisfied so far, how are the “Champion Heights”?
– In general, we are satisfied with everything that is happening here and the progress we have made. At the same time, we note how we can grow here. The track here is in fairly good condition, but there are a few wishes to improve the sprint circle. So there is something to work on. As for the classic skating circle, everything corresponds to the international level. As soon as the infrastructure is established, there will be a better center in Malinovka.
– Additionally, broadcasts are back. Are you happy?
– Yes of course. For many, it is very important to be able to easily turn on the TV, change channels and watch their favorite sport.
– What is the potential of these competitions?
— If the infrastructure is properly built here, it will be the highest level in the world. I mean a good resort, gym, game rooms, saunas, booths. Once this is done, Malinovka will be able to reach the level of the ski resorts of Kuusamo and Lillehammer.
– What do you think, can “Champion Heights” ever become an international departure, attract foreign athletes? Belarusians are already coming here, why not think about expanding?
– Well, foreign skiers in Russia are almost not attracted to anything in terms of ski infrastructure, since their countries already have everything. Another thing is that the interest in cross-country skiing is great in itself. Many coaches and athletes want to visit Russia, see the Russian hinterland. It’s quite far from the center, and it’s interesting to see how people live, and at the same time to compete. It was, is and will be.
— Do you like the new team sprint format? It seemed like a bit of qualifying fun was taking a hit.
– To some extent, it has become more convenient. The competition format itself has become more sprint than distance. Nevertheless, the distance runners previously had a certain advantage when they had to run three times in the prologue, and after 20 minutes return to the start. Now everything has shifted in the direction of the sprint relay. However, I can’t say that these innovations somehow influenced the race itself, it remained unchanged.
– I heard the opinion that they decided to take care of the health of the athletes in this way, in the same qualification there is less chance of injury …
– First of all, now during qualifying there is less chance of getting tired. However, the team sprint is energy-intensive, the skiers must go to the track three times and try to pass at maximum speed. Previously, you had to do it in qualifying and in the final, but for that you need endurance. Again, the spacers had a slight advantage over the sprinters. Now that this advantage has been removed, athletes can do better directly in the final.
– Before “Champion Heights”, some athletes in your group were sick. How do you rate their form now?
– Little by little, they gain in condition. However, initial preparations were not fully completed. It didn’t work 100% as expected.
– Alexander Terentyev just said that the training camp in Sochi did not yield anything, although the same Sergei Ustyugov did not reach such a height, but he felt good …
How many people, so many opinions. Both training options have the right to life. As today’s competitions show, it was possible not to climb. However, it was not Sochi that was originally planned, but Tsaghkadzor. In other words, it could be a slightly different alignment.
— Are you satisfied with the level of competition at Malinovka? I remember you were worried about this.
– The competition is quite high in general. However, our leaders that season were in one of their best forms. Today, they don’t exactly have that competition. In particular, the same Natalya Nepryaeva and Alexander Bolshunov to some extent. Thus, the maximum possibilities of the rulers are somewhat reduced. They need less effort and lower speeds to win. And little by little this speed becomes habitual to them. Their competitive speed drops to a lower level.
– Under the current conditions, is it possible to influence this in one way or another, or has everything in your power already been done?
“Everything we could really do has been done. All of the top athletes in the country compete at almost every stage. All the skiers here give maximum results. All the best is here.
– Well, here we return, in fact, to the topic that you already mentioned – domestic and foreign skiers suffer from the absence of Russians at international departures.
– I see. The Norwegians’ overwhelming advantage on the world stage in men’s individual races. As a result, there is little point in it, beware. I think if the same Bolshunov, Yakimushkin, Maltsev, Semikov participated, there would be a fight and it would be much more interesting. It would be more dynamic, more attractive to the public.
– At least the Norwegians could have less medals.
– It’s already fading to the background. It is, however, a subjunctive. Now we are talking about competition, about wrestling. The spectacle of competition degrades when the winners of certain races are predictable.
– Journalists often call you about the World Cup. Is it really possible to directly follow the tournament closely?
– Not really. I barely watch. Selectively certain races. Unable to succeed. Yet there is a life of its own, training. And the races at Planica take place at a time when works are in progress. I only look at scraps, cuts.
– What you get to see in Slovenia, does it still remind you of the World Cup?
– Let’s do it, after all, this is the World Cup, where there are no Russian skiers. Nevertheless, all the other countries are there. These competitions involve the participation of athletes from all over the world. The World Cup is therefore still in Planica.
– But the level of the tournament has dropped a lot.
– This is the second understanding of the current situation. There are no Russians there, there is not enough competition that was there before. The plot is gone. The level of interest in these competitions is declining. This is also shown by the ratings in Norway and Sweden.
– Do you agree with Alexander Legkov’s opinion that after many years no one will remember the absence of the Russians, and World Cup medals will still be valuable?
I even think that it will only take a few years. Now they are already talking about the winners of the World Championship, and no one will say that there were no national athletes. Everything is as Alexander said.
– That sounds sad.
‘It’s not sad, it’s an axiom. What can we do? We all hope for the best, but we understand what is happening. We talk about those things that really are and that will be. Everyone is already talking about Klebo’s ten medals at the world championships, Rete’s achievements, Kruger’s first victory in the individual race, but no one is talking about Bolshunov’s absence. Everyone speaks of a fait accompli. Nobody in parentheses indicates that Bolshunov, Yakimushkin and Maltsev did not show up. We have to be realistic.
– Colleagues from other countries do not write that they miss you, Russian athletes?
– I think there is no contact with the athletes. They certainly don’t miss them, of course. The less competition there is, the higher they will be. Everyone understands this very well. Although some coaches write to me, call me. Some are really outraged and want the return of Russian skiers to the international level.
– What do you think, what are the chances that Russians can go to the 2026 Olympics?
– I think there is a very high probability that Russian skiers will be admitted to the Winter Games. We hope that everything will pass, that the special operation will end, because we need it, and that all sanctions will end.
“And what do you think of the requirements of neutral status?”
– These are only speculations. There is none of that. So far, these are only proposals from different countries. Therefore, I would not like to discuss this topic at all.
– Elena Vyalbe categorically opposes the neutral flag and says that if you return, then only under your own. Do you agree?
– Now there are no longer those barriers that deprived Russia of the flag and the anthem in previous competitions. Therefore, the status quo must be restored. Russian athletes really should be with the flag and the anthem.
– After the “Champion Heights” directly, what are the projects of your group? The Russian Championship is fast approaching.
– Everyone should come to him, run. Fees after Malinovka are not provided. Everyone will disperse. Someone will go to the Sakhalin marathon, someone to Kazan. Preparations for the Russian Championship will already be in place, in Tyumen.
— Do any of your athletes plan to run the Demino marathon?
– Most likely, Denis Spitsov will go from our group. Because the marathon will be a classic style. The others are likely to stay here.
– And what are your plans for the Russian Cup finals in Kirovsk? There is information that, for example, Veronika Stepanova will go to the Yugra Marathon on these dates.
– We haven’t discussed it yet, but no one will completely miss the step – 100%. The National Cup final takes priority. We have a competitive schedule. All athletes are required to participate in these competitions and, if possible, in marathons. Marathons have more of a commercial component and official Russian competitions should be a priority.
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“” shows the All-Russian competition “Champion Heights” (February 23 – March 5) and the Russian Ski Championship (March 18-26). Watch live broadcasts of ski competitions on the federal channel and thematic channels of the holding, as well as on the sites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source : MatchTV
I am Sandra Jackson, a journalist and content creator with extensive experience in the news industry. I have been working in the news media for over five years. During this time, I have worked as an author and editor at various outlets producing high-quality content that attracts readers from different demographics.
