Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov has always been famous for his emotional attitude towards competitions, which has repeatedly led to scandals. At the first stage of the PhosAgro Russian Cup, our eminent champion again could not restrain himself: after a disappointing defeat, he knocked his opponent down.

“There will always be a struggle”

The beginning of the winter season was extremely unsuccessful for Bolshunov. In the 15-kilometer time trial, Alexander did not even make it into the top ten. President of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe explained the weak start of the team leader with health problems.

— Sasha was sick at the beginning of the season, he started skating later. This is taking its toll. Even if it’s a week, that’s already a long time. Last year he also got off to a slow start. However, from year to year it will be more and more difficult for him to remain the sole favorite, because there are many guys who are stepping on his heels. Sasha needs to get used to it. There will always be a struggle. The guys are imposing it,” Vyalbe said on the air of the “Ski Country” program on Match TV.

It was not possible to solve the problems in time for the sprint qualification, which took place a day later. Bolshunov showed only the 18th result. But in the quarterfinals there was a small ray of hope for a successful result. Alexander was ahead of the Russian Cup leader Savely Korostelev, but even in this race he failed to win. With the second result, he lost 0.15 seconds to Sergei Zabaluev, which allowed him to advance to the next stage.

Alexander Bolshunov / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Ramil Sitdikov

“And this is the pride of the country?”

The composition of the opponents in the semi-final was tough for the three-time Olympic champion, but for most of the distance he sat behind the leaders. Alexander has proven many times that he is capable of breaking through from deep in decisive meters, so one could assume that now he will show himself at the finish line.

That’s what happened, it’s a pity that it had a minus sign. During the last turn, Bolshunov caught his ski on Alexander Bakurov’s leg and fell. After the finish, the team leader drove up to his opponent and pushed him in the back. Bakurov, who did not expect such a development of events, fell, also knocking down an advertising board. The main showman of Russian ski racing, Korostelev, commented very eloquently on this incident.

– And this is the pride of the country? — Korostelev wrote in his Telegram channel.

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The reason for Bolshunov’s behavior, according to ex-skier Alexei Petukhov, was contact between the athletes, which occurred even earlier, during the course.

The conflict turned out to be very serious, the athletes spoke in a raised voice. Even the judges had to stand between the quarreling skiers. It’s good that it didn’t come to hand-to-hand combat, but Bakurov left the ski track with great difficulty, limping heavily. For this offense, Alexander was punished by disqualification.