Korostelev – about the photo finish with Bolshunov: “There was an idea that they would determine two winners, but they definitely wouldn’t put Sasha in first place”

Skier Savely Korostelev said on Match TV that he was confident of his victory when, at the finish of the mass start at the Russian Cup stage, first place was determined using a photo finish.

On Sunday, Korostelev won the 20 km classic style mass start at the second stage of the PhosAgro Russian Cup in Tyumen. Korostelev was ahead of three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov by 0.1 seconds, the winner was determined by a photo finish. The top three were closed by Sergey Ardashev (+2.1).

“Today my task was to sit in a group as much as possible and learn to run in contact with people, and not to mess around in front somewhere. It turned out that I hit my hand at that turn, and I also lay down at that turn, where Vanya Gorbunov eventually fell. I tried to go around this turn and it turned out well, because Vanya fell and slowed everyone down. And I understood that the only one who could catch Sasha Bolshunov was me.

When we crossed the finish line, I was sure that I had won. That’s why I jumped up immediately joyful, I had no doubts. The only thought was that they might take the first two places, but definitely not Sasha in first,” Korostelev said on Match TV.

The next stage of the Russian Cup will be held in Chusovoy from December 11 to 14.

Cross-country skiing competitions are shown live on TV channels of the Match family, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.