“It is impossible to defeat Bolshunov.” Results of the first part of the 2023/2024 Russian ski season

The first part of the Russian ski season has ended, which included four stages of the 2023/2024 Russian Cup and several all-Russian competitions. What do you remember about the trips from November to December? What are the main findings? And how would the Russian team perform if our athletes were allowed to participate in the World Cup right now?

Rivals declared Bolshunov invincible

The last race of the Russian Cup calendar in 2023 was the men’s 30 km skiathlon on the Kirovo-Chepetsk stage, after which the words of the very strong skier Ilya Semikov were heard: “It is impossible to defeat Bolshunov yet. I tried to force him to fight, but he did it all as a joke.”

Alexander Bolshunov

Photo: RIA Novosti

In the first races of the season, when Bolshunov, who had recovered from a serious back injury, won, several skiers said: “He can be beaten, he is also a person, we train the same way.” But the races followed one another and he won himself. And no one, except perhaps Alexey Chervotkin in the classic 10km time trial, could worry San Sanych.

12 races – 12 wins. Does this indicate the weakness of everyone else?

Of course not. This speaks of the strength and power of a unique athlete who said this about his motivation: “Everyone wants to win, but I want it a little more.”

What motivates Bolshunov, who never loses?

“Everyone wants to win, but I want more.” Bolshunov has won every race since the start of the season.

Bolshunov can become the owner of a unique record by winning all Russian Cup races during a draw.

And behind their backs a fierce fight develops. In every race. Several athletes, including those from regional teams, take the podium. Our men’s skis are missing Sergei Ustyugov, but he himself will decide when to return to the ski slope.

What is Sergei Ustyugov doing now?

“There were problems with blood pressure and heart.” Where did the skier Sergei Ustyugov go?

Stepanova is the leader of Russian skiing, but Kuleshova disagrees

Natalya Terentyeva has not completed a single race this season. The absolute and untouchable leader of Russian women’s skiing is still recovering from her fragile health. Fans make various speculations, sending Natalya on maternity leave, but such assumptions constantly arise around any public person.

The fact is that Terentyeva has not yet acted. If she wants, she will tell the reasons herself. In her absence, Veronica Stepanova became the new leader of our skis, whom Yegor Sorin turns into a universal soldier. The Olympic champion had a good first part of the season, winning seven races.

Even Elena Vyalbe worked as a correspondent at the Russian Cup:

Vyalbe worked in the mixed zone and interviewed skiers. Russian Cup, what are you doing?

A fantastic result, by the way. Especially considering that in none of the races in which Verónica reached the finish line did she drop below second place. In the head-to-head competition, only two athletes were able to beat her: Anastasia Kuleshova and Alena Baranova.

At the beginning of the season, Kuleshova seemed normal by her high standards, in Vershina Teya and Tyumen she only accelerated, and in Kirovo-Chepetsk she already appeared as the skier who took bronze at the Olympics and World Championships and took prizes in the stages of the World Cup.

Anastasia now seems to be Veronica’s only competitor in distance running. In the sprint, Anastasia Faleeva and Alena Baranova can compete with Stepanova. But in universalism no one yet.

Veronica Stepanova

Photo: RIA Novosti

How do the very young perform? Simply great!

Have there been any new names in Russian skiing this season? Yes, they appeared. And especially because young athletes act alongside recognized leaders.

Strictly speaking, Alina Pekletsova and Ekaterina Nikitina were talked about as potential stars at the end of last season, when both managed to become medalists at the Russian adult championship: Alina in the individual race, Ekaterina in the relay. Well, those who are very interested in skiing already knew these girls.

But since the beginning of this season both competed regularly in the stages of the Russian Cup and showed good results; Pekletsova won awards several times.

Who is Alina Pekletsova? They compare her to Therese Johaug:

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Also worth noting is Elizaveta Maslakova, who was not included in the youth team, but with her diligence, perseverance and results she made it to Andrei Nutrikhin’s youth team. She also won the prize at the Russian Cup stage.

The boys didn’t have any new names. Savely Korostelev already shone in the senior category last season, and Yegor Mitroshin won the junior “Marchalonga” and made his way among his teammates. Three-time junior world champion Alexander Ivshin once again shows good results, who seems to be beginning to digest the workload in Oleg Perevozchikov’s group.

But it is more difficult for boys to get ahead. Just look at the age of those in the main team: 25-28 years old. It’s time to bloom. Bolshunov himself is only six years older than Korostelev.

How would the Russian team perform in the World Cup?

Of course, it is interesting to imagine how the Russian national team would perform at the World Cup if such an opportunity existed. Listen, everything would be the same. At the men’s World Cup, Bolshunov still scared the Norwegians, who tried to confront Saint Sanych in the crowd (chushpans against the guy), and the rest of our guys occasionally stumbled upon the prizes. Well, if you look at the Norwegian national team, isn’t it the same there? Leader Klebo and everyone else.

Sometimes things go badly for Norwegians too:

The Norwegian skier furiously broke his number. Did you remember Bolshunov’s anger?

Among women, Stepanova would probably compete for prizes in specialized races, Kuleshova would be constantly at the top, without falling out of the top 10, and Pekletsova, if she were taken to speed skating tests, would make a splash, and comparisons with Therese Johaug would not be only Russian media, but also foreign ones.

But the preparation for the World Cup would be different, and so would the motivation. There is definitely no point in belittling the capabilities of the Russian team. Anyway, then everyone remembers the Olympic Games and the World Championships. And everyone knows perfectly well how our team performed at Beijing 2022.