[HIGHLIGHTS] Warm-up before the Spartakiad: Bolshunov and Faleeva won the sprints at the Russian Cup, Stepanova was eliminated in the semi-finals

Alexander Bolshunov won his 16th victory in a row at the Russian Cup. For women, gold went to Anastasia Faleeva, Alena Baranova won silver, Elizaveta Pantrina won bronze.

Beijing Olympic relay champion Veronika Stepanova was eliminated in the semifinals. The country's best skiers returned to competition after almost a month's break. The Spartakiad, which starts on February 9 at the famous Pearl of Siberia stadium in Tyumen, is the main start of the season.