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.

Alexander Bolshunov / Photo: © Personal archive of Alexander Bolshunov

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.