Nepryaeva and Terentyev signed
In Russian cross-country skiing, the event that many fans of this sport have been waiting for has finally happened. Natalia Nepryaeva and Alexander Terentyev got married and now in a new status they can prepare for the season. Photos and videos from the event appeared on August 23 on social networks.
It remains to be hoped that changes in personal life will have a positive impact on athletes, although their coach, Yuri Borodavko, is worried about the Olympic champion of Beijing.
"The level of competition in Russia, especially in the women's team, is much lower. Natalia gradually, in my opinion, loses her condition - primarily due to the lack of competition. We have to artificially force it so that it can motivate itself, maintain this level. Because the time is not far off when we will be admitted, there should be a higher functional state," Borodavko told Match TV.
Nepryaeva herself does not agree with the opinion that competition in the country is weak. According to her, rivals do not allow you to relax in competitions.
"There are girls, the same Veronika Stepanova imposes a serious struggle in many races, and the rest. Now Tanya Sorina will return. I think in winter there will be more than good competition, worthy," the skier said in an interview with TASS.
The new image of Stupak
It should impose a fight on Nepryaeva and Yulia Stupak, who, unlike last year, is in an excellent emotional state. This is evidenced by her posts on social networks. So, the athlete told subscribers that for the first time in a long time she does not think about winter, but simply enjoys every day.
"In short, total calm. I'm not running anywhere, I'm not in a hurry, I'm not late. Just enjoy the moment, any. I'm not looking for profit in this moment, but just savoring. I would call it "feeling like you're at home." When you return home after a long break, and when you cross the threshold, you exhale, and such a warm feeling comes. I carry it with me," Stupak explained.
In confirmation of her words, Yulia at the beginning of the month won the mass start for 30 km in the classic style at the Karelia Cup in roller skiing, and a week later she took part in a hike to the 600-meter mountain in the vicinity of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. The event was timed to coincide with the All-Russian Day of Physical Culture.
For the new season, Stupak decided to transform not only internally, but also externally: she cut her hair. Although visually the changes are not very noticeable, for Julia they turned out to be significant.
"Guys, trash content," the athlete wrote and asked to evaluate the new image.
At the same time, coach Yegor Sorin is calm about the actions of the ward. The mentor stressed that the girl makes every effort in the classroom and plans to perform better in the next season than in the previous one. In August, a group of specialists went to Armenia.
"Before starting to work together, I set a condition for Julia, so she should not have any problems with motivation this year. And she herself made it clear why she trains, what she is preparing for. I have no doubts about her motivation for the season and never have. I see how enthusiastically Stupak goes to training, how she gives her best. Everything suits me. We understand that Julia is charged to work, she plans to at least return to the results that she showed before last season, and as a maximum - to become even better, "Match TV quotes Sorin.
Meanwhile, the specialist works not only with members of the Russian national team, but also with the younger generation. In his Telegram channel, he posted a video in which his daughter Sofia performs tasks.
"The trolley has been a traditional exercise for skiers since ancient times. Methods and coaches are changing, and the trolley remains an integral part of the training of our athletes at any age," Sorin wrote.
Ustyugov's Reflections
Sergey Ustyugov does not waste time in vain. He managed to amuse his fans with a photo from the cottage, where he poses in a hat and glasses. The skier also took part in kayaking, which lasted two days. An exciting event, unfortunately, did not end in the best way for the health of the Olympic champion.
"After rafting, I got a little sick. I wanted to go to a training camp in Khanty-Mansiysk, but I realized that in such a state it was pointless. Therefore, I decided to deal with documents - to change the rights, to change the passport. I sit with my nephews, watch cartoons and cook breakfast for them," Ustyugov said in his Telegram channel.
However, Sergey did not rest for long. After a short pause, he went to Tyumen for a training camp in the "Pearl of Siberia".
"My route now is as follows: Surgut - Tyumen. Marcus (Kramer) sent the plan. The first or second training session - and let's go. All week I will plow, plow, plow," the athlete said.
At the same time, Ustyugov admits that he constantly thinks about ending his career. But the 31-year-old skier plans to make the final decision in the winter.
"Thank God, there are people who stop me, push me to train. I'm told that a lot of people in Russia and in Europe want me to keep running and be pleasing to the eye, because racing with me is getting more interesting. I have this winter. After that, I will decide. I also planned before last season that winter would be my last," Metaratings quoted Ustyugov as saying.
One of Sergey's coaches, Ivan Bragin, does not think far ahead. According to him, everything will depend on the results of the skier.
"As Bolshunov has already said, Ustyugov ties up every year. He is already aged, I think it's stupid to make plans for the Olympic cycle in the current situation. The season will pass - and everything will be clear. If Sergey is competitive as in the past season, then he will continue to run, if not, he will think about what to do next. Now there is planning for one season, no more, "the coach emphasized.
It should be noted that so far the skier has no problems with the form. At the Russian Roller Ski Championship, which was held in Khanty-Mansiysk at the end of July, he took second place in the 200-meter sprint.
Bolshunov "on chill"
Alexander Bolshunov's training camp is calm. According to Yuri Borodavko, the current off-season of the three-time Olympic champion is more productive than the previous one.
"This year he has fewer breakdowns, last year he had August due to the birth of his daughter, there were illnesses," the coach said.
The skier also talks about how he trains on social media. One of these videos, where the athlete works in the gym, including with pancakes from the barbell, he jokingly signed: "On the chill."
Bolshunov does not forget about the younger generation. He held a master class for young skiers from the sports school of the Olympic reserve "Istina" and presented them with his personalized gloves.
"I hope they will motivate the guys to set high goals, as I do. I will be glad if one of them becomes an Olympic champion or world champion," admitted Alexander.
At the same time, according to the silver medalist of the 2010 Olympic Games Alexander Panzhinsky, next season Bolshunov will have a hard time.
"He is still proving his superiority. But Alexander Terentyev beats him both in winter and in summer. There is Sergei Ustyugov, who last winter proved that he could overtake Bolshunov. There is Savely Korostelev, who moved on to a new coach, Yegor Sorin. I think that in the coming winter we will see a grown-up, matured Savely with new victories. The season will be interesting, despite the fact that it is likely to be held again only within our country," Panzhinsky said.
Korostelev, in turn, has no doubt that in 2026 he will go to the Olympics. At the same time, the current situation does not bother him.
"We have very high competition in Russia now. There is still room to grow. Therefore, I do not have such a thing that I have to hurry and rush somewhere. So far, I have enough competition in our country. Of course, I really want to perform at international competitions, but in the absence of this opportunity, I am content with what we have," Korostelev told Sport-Express.
Stepanova's advice
Veronika Stepanova continues to think about how to make cross-country skiing more interesting for spectators. And in one of her columns, the Olympic champion suggested interviewing athletes more before the start of the competition.
"It has long been a firm thought to me that interviews with skiers before the race are the main thing that is missing for the real media promotion of our sport. Where else can you show off, promise to tear everyone up on the track? And if you also confirm it with deeds, then this will not be a boast, but a forecast! That's what Muhammad Ali seems to have said. Seriously, you don't have to be a great media specialist to understand that it's much more interesting to listen to the contenders before the race than after. Before the start, it's much more interesting to watch any sport," Stepanova wrote.
However, the athlete talks not only about global things, but also about her preferences. So, he said that he likes to show off his muscles on social networks.
"I am sure that the number of girls who are proud of the size of biceps and triceps will grow all the time, and those who are proud of the size of other parts of the body will decrease. Because other parts of the body were given either by nature or by a plastic surgeon, and you need to earn your muscles yourself, "said the Olympic champion.