The final stage of the Biathlon World Cup in Anterselva, Italy became gold for Alexander Loginov.
In a 20-kilometer race with four firing lines, the Russian did not make a single mistake and won almost a minute at the finish against the closest pursuer, Norwegian Sturla Legrade.
The triumph was also effective because when leaving the last line, the athlete broke a ski pole and lost a lot of time because of this.
“When I was already leaving the line, one of the other guys drove up.
And at that moment I wanted to put my right leg a little to push off - I had to remove it under me.
I caught a stick, broke it, fell.
Then he was dispersed with one stick.
I walked 200 meters - in the middle of a small elevator they gave it to me.
But I lost a lot of time, "Loginov said in an interview with Match TV.
In addition, all of January Alexander had a difficult time due to the death of his father.
Therefore, at the award ceremony, he did not hold back tears.
“I’m sorry… I wish my father saw this.
Because it was his joy.
It's hard.
I think he is very happy with this victory, ”the Russian admitted at the end of the race.
Alexander Kasperovich, Loginov's personal trainer, was pleased with the performance of the ward.
True, the mentor did not call the performance flawless, but highlighted the aspects to be worked on before the World Cup.
“I am very happy for Sasha.
Today he coped with the shooting, but still does not show his move - the loss by move is still serious.
Both Sasha and the entire Russian team needed the gold medal.
Victory will give you an emotional boost.
Again, the main preparation is going to the World Cup.
This year there were many serious moments that did not allow to realize themselves.
We even missed the mass start.
But now we can state that everything was justified.
We are waiting for victories in future races, "Kasperovich said in an interview with the Championship.
Perfection at the range gets the job done!
Alexander Loginov wins the @biathlonantholz Individual.
💯💪 # ANT21
🥇🇷🇺 Alexander Loginov @russianbiathlon
🥈🇳🇴 Sturla Holm Laegreid @NSSF_Biathlon
🥉🇫🇷 @ quentinfillon @ FedFranceSkihttps: //t.co/bk5aBBso9Qpic.twitter.com/hkQMxIM2hJ
- IBU World Cup (@IBU_WC) January 22, 2021
The mass start missed by Loginov was recognized as a tactically correct decision by the two-time Olympic champion Dmitry Vasiliev.
“Loginov is great!
Not in vain withdrew from the mass start in Oberhof.
The move, of course, was not his best times, but he chose the right tactics.
I concentrated on shooting and it paid off, ”he commented.
Loginov's lack of speed was also noticed by the former senior coach of the Russian national team, Anatoly Khovantsev.
However, he explained the difficulties not so much by non-optimal physical conditions as by the conditions in which the starts took place.
“Loginov had a great race.
Good, confident shooting.
The move is still a little short of the level where it usually is.
I think Sasha has time before the World Cup, if they manage it correctly with Kasperovich in order to be brought up in a much better condition.
Loginov in terms of height is constantly going up - Oberhof, Antholz.
Here it is functionally much harder to maintain speed.
The fact that he coped with the shooting is very great on the eve of the World Cup.
According to the results of our other guys, it is clear that Alexander does not show his own speed - both Latypov and Garanichev ran close with Loginov.
I don't know where they are planning to prepare for the World Cup.
But we must figure it out, ”said Khovantsev.
But the three-time world champion Sergei Tcherezov, one of the factors of Friday's victory, on the contrary, called the track in Antholz, which, according to the expert, is Loginov's favorite.
“We are very pleased with the victory of Alexander.
It happens for athletes that there are places, stadiums, tracks, where there is more inner comfort.
And since Sasha won the gold medal of the World Championship in Antholz last year and has now won the individual race, we can say that Antholz is one of his most pleasant and favorite places.
It can be seen that it is still inferior in speed.
But the result is obvious - first place.
Let's believe that in the future both his results and the results of the whole team will only grow.
We are waiting for positive emotions from our team, ”Tcherezov said.
The first two days in @biathlonantholz are already over and we've seen two great Individuals - many congratulations again to the Top 6 of the day (and how close was that fight for 3rd 😱😱😱) # ANT21https: //t.co /bk5aBBso9Qpic.twitter.com/dRErOz8d8r
- IBU World Cup (@IBU_WC) January 22, 2021
The two-time Olympic champion Sergey Chepikov also supported the message of his friend in the Russian national team.
“I am very happy for Loginov.
Apparently Antholz is really our place.
The team traditionally performs well there.
Now we must not relax and prepare for the World Cup.
Many thanks to Sasha for such a gift for all the fans! "
- he thanked.
However, there were also those who were skeptical about Loginov's victory.
In particular, the Swedish biathletes recalled the "doping" page from Loginov's life - and did not hesitate to return to the history of seven years ago.
“An impressive race, but I will never be happy for someone who was suspended for using erythropoietin.
This cannot be done by mistake.
If you get an injection, you know what's going on, ”three-time world champion Helena Ekholm told Expressen.
Olympic champion Sebastian Samuelsson shared her position: “He is not my favorite.
It would be more fun if someone else won. "
His words are quoted by "Championship".
In turn, State Duma Deputy Igor Lebedev urged not to exaggerate the athlete's success.
“We are happy about things that were natural 10 years ago.
I am not inclined to dance on the table, shout into the microphone, as our beloved commentator does.
This is a normal thing, biathlon has always been at a very high level in our country.
The national team of Russia and the Soviet Union at least stood on the podium.
Loginov is great, thank you for winning, we have been waiting for this for a long time.
But this is not the moment when you need to squeal for joy.
If Russia wins against Canada in the World Cup final - that's what I understand.
Let Guberniev be happy, they pay him money for it.
And we'll see further, ”Lebedev said.
Commentator Dmitry Guberniev, on the wave of Loginov's success, said that he hopes to see compatriots fighting for medals in each next race.
“This is the victory we have been waiting for.
We saw Loginov's tears, he deserved this victory.
The most difficult December for him, the most difficult January, the loss of a loved one.
But Sasha performs, continues to be the leader of the team.
He is a great fellow, we are all very happy for him.
This year it is quite noticeable that the whole team is on the rise towards the World Cup.
I expect that we will continue to fight for medals in every race.
But the main thing for us is the World Championship, ”the journalist recalled.
The 2017 world champion Anton Shipulin reacted most emotionally to Loginov's victory in social networks.
View this post on Instagram
Publication from Anton Shipulin (@anton_shipulin)
We add that the success in Anterselva was the first for Loginov in almost a year: in February 2020, having won the title of world champion, Alexander climbed to the highest step of the podium for the last time.