“Women's skis have risen from our knees”: Nepryaeva won the “Big Crystal Globe” ahead of schedule

Natalya Nepryaeva won the Big Crystal Globe ahead of schedule, which is awarded to the winner of the overall World Cup standings.

The Russians last won this trophy 21 years ago - in the 2000/01 season.

Then Yulia Chepalova was the triumphant of the competition.

This achievement is especially valuable given the fact that Russian athletes could not take part in the last stages of the WC.

The International Ski Federation (FIS) imposed a ban earlier this week and gave the pursuers the opportunity to catch up and beat the Beijing Olympic champion in the standings.

However, due to the cancellation of the finals in Tyumen, the number of remaining races of the season has been significantly reduced.

Jessica Diggins, 252 points behind Nepryaeva, had a marathon in Holmenkollen before Saturday, as well as a sprint and a cut-up in Falun.

For the victory in each of the starts, 100 points were given plus bonuses at intermediate cut-offs at a distance of 30 km.

But the American, who won silver in the marathon in Beijing, this time withdrew from the competition and deprived herself of even a theoretical chance to catch up with Natalya.

In third place in the overall World Cup was Ebba Andersson.

Her backlog from the Russians was 285 points.

At the same time, the Swede does not take part in sprints.

So, only a victory or second place in the marathon plus the collection of all possible bonuses further allowed the athlete to continue the fight for the trophy. 

It was difficult to count on the first place in the mass start, when Teresa Yohaug is competing in it.

Moreover, the four-time Olympic champion held the last race in her career and in front of her fans, of course, wanted to leave the sport triumphantly.

Which she did - with two Norwegian flags in her hands and a huge advantage over the rest of the skiers.

But Ebba could compete for the second position, especially in the absence of Diggins and Nepryaeva.

But Andersson was not lucky: she broke the stick on the first lap and fell far behind the leading group.

As a result, the Swede finished only ninth, and Nepryaeva received congratulations at home.

I was especially pleased with the result of Chepalov.

The three-time Olympic champion admitted that she was looking forward to the day when the Russian skier would again win the Big Crystal Globe.

“Congratulations to Natalia and the team, because this is an absolutely well-deserved victory.

This season was very successful for Nepryaeva - the Tour de Ski, the Olympic Games, the Big Crystal Globe.

Finally, women's skis have risen from our knees, ”the Championship quotes the words of the athlete. 

Russian coach Yuri Borodavko called his ward great, and winning the trophy - the "crown" of a great season.

“Fate rewarded her for her crazy efforts.

Natasha once again showed everyone that if you really want something, you will definitely achieve it.

This title goes to her absolutely on business - clever, great!

I congratulate her from the bottom of my heart.

I really hope that all the difficulties will pass as soon as possible and that Nepryaeva and all the other athletes of our country will continue to delight us with their wonderful victories!”

- quotes the words of the specialist "Sport-Express".

In turn, the vice-president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, Sergey Kryanin, noted the huge lead in the overall World Cup standings, which was created by Nepryaeva.

The athlete won two races in the Tour de Ski and the race itself, and as part of the national team she won a beautiful victory in the relay in Lillehammer.

“Despite all the inadmissibility and difficulties, Natasha won this trophy.

If it was in a fair fight, then the presentation would take place in Tyumen.

There would be a huge hype, it would be great to get a prize at home at the final stage.

It is a pity that the events affected the sport, and we did not see the holiday in full - this is the most undeserved.

It was a great season for Nepryaeva.

In any case, congratulations!

Let's hope that in the future our athletes will fight on equal terms with everyone and prove that we are the strongest, ”said Kryanin. 

However, the athlete herself and her relatives are in no hurry to rejoice.

In Instagram stories, Nepryaeva posted the news of her victory, accompanying him with the “I pray” emoji.

And Natalia's mother said that first you need to get a trophy. 

“Let's not run ahead of the engine.

When Natasha has a cup in her hands, then we will be happy.

In the meantime, all this in absentia - we will not rejoice.

And that time is like that - you yourself understand, ”said Irina Nepryaeva.

Three-time Olympic champion Anfisa Reztsova congratulated Nepryaeva and sympathized with Alexander Bolshunov.

The Russian retained theoretical chances to catch up with Johannes Klebo in the overall World Cup standings, but after the suspension he remained only second.

And the Norwegian regained the trophy, which was won by a Russian athlete for two years in a row.

“Congratulations Natasha.

Clever heroine!

It is a pity that Bolshunov did not succeed.

I hope that Sasha will also be awarded an award: he deserved it, he is also the best of the best, like Nepryaeva.

I am so glad!

There is truth in this world, and it always defeats evil and haters, ”said Reztsova.