“The most significant event in the last 50 years”: in Russia they admire Bolshunov’s early victory in the overall standings of KM

"Hands trembling with happiness"

In skiing, an event took place that for many years Russian fans have been looking forward to. Russian Alexander Bolshunov ahead of time became the owner of the Big Crystal Globe, as the Norwegian team refused to participate in the final stages of the World Cup due to the threat of coronavirus. At the moment, he has 2221 points in the overall standings, and only Johannes Klebo had the chance to compete for leadership with him.

The fact that a Russian secured victory due to withdrawing his rivals does not detract from his merits. This season, he rose 17 times to the podium, in nine cases - to the highest level. In addition, the skier for the first time became the winner of the prestigious Tour de Ski stage race, ahead of compatriot Sergei Ustyugov and all the same Klebo.

In Russia, they admired Bolshunov’s achievement, and in the State Duma they even suggested prematurely declaring him an athlete of the year.

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Skier Alexander Bolshunov won the first men's World Cup in Russian history. It's like a Golden Ball, Puskas Trophy and Golden Boot combined🔥

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The president of the Russian Cross-Country Skiing Federation (FLGR) Elena Vyalbe admitted that she learned about what happened at night. She emphasized that the victory of Bolshunov is of great importance both for himself and for the entire team.

“Even my hands trembled with happiness, I could not cope with myself, it is much cooler than when I myself won these World Cups. I believe that Bolshunov’s success is very important for the development of skis in Russia, ”Vialbe quotes TASS.

Bolshunov became only the third domestic athlete in the history of skiing, who won the World Cup. Twice - in the 1980/81 season and the 1982/83 season - this was possible to Alexander Zavyalov. The last domestic owner of the "Big Crystal Globe" almost 30 years ago was Vladimir Smirnov.

According to him, the Russian deserved this victory, as he steadily performed in both sprint and distance races, and also demonstrated good technique and the ability to choose the right tactics.

“The only gap was the defeat in the Scandinavian round, when the entire Russian team did not get into the grease. Otherwise, he spent almost all the races at an excellent level, this shows that he is a high-class racer. I was very sick for him and through the press I convey congratulations to him. Behind him is the future in skiing. If nothing happens, if this success does not turn his head, he is guaranteed to be at the top for the next three to five years, ”Smirnov suggested.

With a victory, Bolshunov was also congratulated by former colleagues on the national team. Sochi 2014 Olympic champion Alexander Legkov expressed confidence that Klebo had no chance of winning the overall standings.

“The withdrawal of the Norwegians is not written in the protocol. We must rejoice in the early globe, and not think about the rest. The opinion is the same as that of everyone - it is happiness. Alexander needs to continue to train and devote himself completely to the work, as he is doing now. He can stay on top, because he has a great age, ”said Legkov to RIA Novosti.

A similar opinion was expressed by another famous Russian skier Nikita Kryukov. He jokingly suggested that removing the Norwegians from the last stages was a team tactic.

“It was unexpected, but not offensive, that Bolshunov won like that. I think that he would have proved it to everyone, especially since the gap was pretty solid. The Norwegians had minimal chances. Deserved victory of Alexander, only pride takes it. I think that everything was natural this season. Sasha was worthy to take the Globe, and everything turned out that way, ”said Kryukov.

In turn, the bronze medalist of the 2001 World Cup, Sergey Kryanin, called Bolshunov's achievement unique.

“Sasha Legkov could win the World Cup, but it didn’t work out there, but San Sanych succeeded. This is generally the most significant event in the last 50 years. Just super! Moreover, this year we have no World Cup, and the main tournaments were the Tour de Ski and the World Cup. And now, what we fought for - this is in Russia, the task is 100% complete, ”Sport24 quotes Kryanin as saying.

"Sports titles fade into the background"

Initially, the Norwegian team did not plan to miss the World Cup in the United States and Canada, and the coaching staff even announced the composition of the team. However, then President of the Norwegian Ski Federation Thorbjorn Skogstad announced that the national team would not go to the North American stages due to the threat of coronavirus.

Many colleagues, as well as the leadership of the International Ski Federation (FIS), were sympathetic to the failure of the Scandinavians and noted that due to their absence, the level of competition will significantly decrease. However, some expressed bewilderment at the fact that the final race will take place, despite the epidemic.

As for Klebo himself, he called the decision of the federation bold and wise.

“We all must contribute to the fight against the spread of the virus. This is more important than participating in the final races of the World Cup in Canada and the USA. I wanted to take part in competitions in both countries. It’s especially annoying that they won’t be able to compete in the USA, which was finally granted the right to host the stage of the competition. I was hoping to secure a victory in the sprint tour in Minneapolis. But now there are much more important things. In this situation, all sports titles recede into the background, ”said Klebo NRK.

It is interesting that the Norwegian national team coach Arild Monsen mistakenly thought that the ward would conquer the Small Crystal Globe ahead of schedule in the sprint, despite skipping stages. In this standings, Klebo is 165 points ahead of Italian Frederico Pellegrino, and a total of 350 points can be earned in the remaining races. Thus, among others, two Russians claim victory in this discipline - Bolshunov and Gleb Retivykh.

Moreover, in Russia, the decision of the Norwegians met with less understanding. Vyalbe suggested that the epidemic was only an excuse not to go to the final stages.

“Regarding the fact that the Norwegians refused to travel to the United States, this is their problem! I don’t know what they are afraid of there. My opinion: they’re not used to losing, but here the coronavirus is a good reason, ”Vyalbe said.

In turn, Bolshunov's personal trainer Yuri Borodavko also criticized the Norwegians for voluntary skipping stages.

“Not so, we wanted to win the World Cup! Having withdrawn from the stages, the Norwegians showed their disrespect in relation to other teams. This is a serious blow to the reputation of FIS, ”Dailyskier quoted the wart.