General
The coaches wanted to hide Bolshunov’s failure. Became the last with a huge backlog
Alexander is clearly far from the best form.
In recent years, it is Alexander Bolshunov who sets the tone in the world of skiing. As you know, many Norwegian athletes even use his photo to motivate themselves during training. And the Swedish skiers leave the national team altogether to prepare for the season according to the methodology of the Russian champion.
However, unfortunately, foreigners will not be able to compete with their idol at the next World Cup. Russia was suspended from international tournaments for another year. So this off-season, Alexander is preparing only for domestic starts … but this prospect does not seem to appeal to the King of skis.
By the end of the training camp, Bolshunov did not get into proper shape. I’m very worried about San Sanych!
“Bolshunov is stress-free”
Bolshunov began preparations for the 2022/23 season, which for Russian skiers will be limited to domestic competitions only, on July 12. Returning from the holidays, the skier joined the group of the head coach of the Russian national team Yuri Borodavko to go with the team to Malinovka (Arkhangelsk region). The training camp at the local ski center was supposed to last two and a half weeks – until August 1.
Since the skiers left for the north, not much information has leaked into the press about the process of their preparation. Toward the end of July, Borodavko said that the national team “everything is going according to plan”:
– Athletes are on the move for at least six hours a day, which allows them to develop a base for performance in the season. Everyone works at their own level. Despite the fact that we will most likely spend the season in Russia, everyone is actively training, trying to discard these thoughts in order to approach the winter in good physical condition, the specialist said.
The coach also noted that training in the summer is always “exhausting and difficult.” On July 25, it became known that the skier even started rowing and plans to compete in the corresponding tournament at the end of the summer. Later, however, the athlete had to refuse his colleagues: the dates of the competition coincided with the deadline for the next training camp. One way or another, according to Borodavko, Alexander is now in great shape:
– This year, Bolshunov is going without stress, injuries, and so on. We hope that everything will continue in the same way, – said Yuri Viktorovich.
They promised to “give over the head”
At the end of the month, however, it became clear that with the form of the Olympic champion, everything is not as good as we would like. On July 29, the results of the test run, which Borodavko’s group conducted as part of the July training camp, appeared on the net. Athletes ran 15 km classic on roller skis, and Bolshunov frankly failed this start. Alexander finished … last!
The first place in the training race was taken by Andrey Skobarev, who covered the distance in 33.57 minutes. Alexey Chervotkin (34.08) and Artyom Maltsev were in the top three after him. Alexander Bolshunov unexpectedly took eighth place (36.19), 2 minutes 22 seconds behind the leader.
After these data appeared in the media, the team headquarters became worried. According to the Telegram channel “Kui while it’s hot,” surrounded by Bolshunov, “they condemned the leaking of frightening figures,” and “they promised to hit the informant in the head.” Soon, Borodavko spoke out officially, saying that it was not worth drawing far-reaching conclusions on the basis of one training session, especially since Alexander’s tasks for this activity were unknown to the fans.
This answer, however, did not particularly console the fans. Whatever tasks were set for the skier before the race, the Olympic champion should not have finished last in his group: he clearly surpasses most of his colleagues in skill. However, Alexander can be understood: after the triumph at the Olympics, it is quite difficult to find motivation to prepare for domestic competitions, where Bolshunov has nothing to prove for a long time. At the same time, Alexander has plenty of time to find incentives and regain the thirst for victory. It remains to wait for the season.
Source: Sportbox
I have been working as a sports journalist for about 6 years now. I currently work as an author at Sportish, which is a sports news website. I mainly cover sports news and I love writing about all aspects of the sport. I also have experience working as a broadcast journalist, so I have some great insights into how sport is reported and presented.
General
Biathlete Reztsova: “When I left the line, my daughter’s words were in my head: “Mom, we need a medal, at least third place.”
Biathlete Kristina Reztsova said on Match TV that she gave all her strength in the sprint at the third stage of the Alfa-Bank Russian Biathlon Cup in Demino (Yaroslavl region).
On Friday, Reztsova took third place in the race. The 29-year-old athlete made two mistakes and in the fight for the bronze medal was able to surpass the result of Victoria Slivko.
“I talked to my daughters yesterday, and the eldest always tells me: “Mom, only first place.” And then he slows down and adds: “The second, the third are also possible.” When I left the line and they told me that I was fighting for the top three, I had my daughter’s words in my head: “Mom, I need a medal. At least third place.” I just gave everything I could. Every meter I thought through how and what course to take, where to add. I gave everything.
It was a very difficult race, functionally. My legs were pounding, the track was tough, so it was hard. I’m very glad that I managed to endure it. This is truly a hard-won medal,” Reztsova said on Match TV.
Natalia Shevchenko won the women’s sprint.
On Saturday, the women’s and men’s pursuit races will take place at the Russian Cup stage. Watch live broadcasts of biathlon competitions on Match TV, as well as on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source: Sportbox
Thomas Astudillo is a sports journalist and author who writes for Sportish. He has a deep love and knowledge of sports, and is known for his engaging and informative writing on the latest sports news and events.
Natalia Shevchenko won the sprint race at the third stage of the Alfa-Bank Russian Biathlon Cup in Demino (Yaroslavl region).
Shevchenko covered the 7.5 km distance in 19 minutes 37.3 seconds, making no mistakes at two shooting ranges. Second place went to Anastasia Khalili (0 misses, lag – 22.1 seconds), who returned to the competition after illness. The top three were completed by Kristina Reztsova (2 penalties, +47.4 seconds).
On Saturday, the Russian Cup will feature women’s and men’s pursuit races.
Watch live broadcasts of the Alfa-Bank Russian Biathlon Championship races on the Match TV and Match! Arena”. You can also follow the progress of the competition on the websites matchtv.ru and sportbox.ru.
Source: Sportbox
Thomas Astudillo is a sports journalist and author who writes for Sportish. He has a deep love and knowledge of sports, and is known for his engaging and informative writing on the latest sports news and events.
At the finish line, former Russian athletes were greeted as heroes.
The overwhelming majority of biathletes from Russia who changed their citizenship dreamed of achieving significant results at international competitions. In fact, their performance leaves much to be desired.
They even rejoice at finishing in last place!
Left for international starts
The backbone of the Moldavian biathlon team has been made up of former Russian athletes for many years. This season, the men’s relay four consists exclusively of ex-Russians. Pavel Magazeev, Andrey Usov, Maxim Makarov have been representing this country since 2020. A couple of years earlier, Mikhail Usov joined the team.
All athletes have the same transition story, give or take. They showed good results in juniors; Magazeev was a world champion, but at the adult level they failed to make it into the Russian national team. Changing citizenship was a way to try my hand at the highest level.
Under the new flag, the guys sometimes even showed good results, both in individual races and in team races. Mikhail Usov was once in the top 4, and Magazeev was repeatedly in the top six at the IBU Cup. In 2024, Makarov was one step away from a medal at the European Championships in single mixed doubles.
But lately the ex-Russians have not been particularly pleased with their high results at international competitions, especially the relay four. The last time the team simply reached the finish line was in January 2024, when it finished 21st at the stage in Ruhpolding. Then we even managed to overtake our rivals from Bulgaria and South Korea.
Local success after two years of waiting
This season, the Moldavian team was represented in the men’s relay only at the stage in Oberhof, where it was removed during the race for being a lap behind. Only the disqualification of the Bulgarians and the withdrawal of the Austrians allowed Moldova not to be in last place in the protocol.
In Ruhpolding, the coaching staff also entered the team into the men’s relay. This time the ex-Russians finally reached the finish line. The Moldavian team finished last out of 22 teams, but still finished. This fact caused joy among representatives of the coaching staff and the federation, who soberly assess their capabilities. Andrei Usov, who closed the relay, was also pleased with the finish. The athlete warmly greeted the stands, which responded with loud applause. Last place and a seven-minute gap from the victorious French could not spoil the small reason for joy.
Source: Sportbox
Thomas Astudillo is a sports journalist and author who writes for Sportish. He has a deep love and knowledge of sports, and is known for his engaging and informative writing on the latest sports news and events.
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