Three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov expectedly became one of the main stars of the Russian cross-country skiing championship in Tyumen . In an interview with the Sport columnist, the skier summed up the season, talked about what emotions his daughter gives him, and said that the year turned out to be interesting even without international tournaments.
At first, Alexander Bolshunov and I had to overcome a crowd of fans, who didn't want to let him go. To the athlete's credit, despite being tired after another difficult race, he did not refuse anyone a photo or an autograph, and then he took the time and questions from our agency as part of a short spontaneous interview on the way from the «Pearl of Siberia» to the hotel.
strong> — Alexander, admit it, do you already feel the end of the next season?
— Of course! Spring. On the other hand, it's a pity that the season flew by so quickly. Because it seems that it was just the beginning, and that's all — there are only a few races left. Winter is ending.
— At the beginning of this season, you were simply exhausted with questions about the lack of international starts. As a result, it turned out that the Russian competitions turned out to be no worse?
— Actually, yes. All the beginning of the season, we were very loaded with the thought that we would live without international competitions. They were very worried. But when the sports year began, when they ran, the starts went one after another, then all these thoughts left. Yes, there was a World Cup. Yes, sorry. But it took place somewhere there, and we competed with each other in Russia. And the season turned out to be, frankly, very fruitful — both in terms of results and competitions. Now I can say with confidence: it even turned out cool!
— There was a feeling that you were a little cunning when you said that you don’t follow international starts. Because here, in Tyumen, they said that they could fight with Sergei Ustyugov for the first two places in the World Cup. So, they compared all the same?No, I didn't compare. I really don't, I really don't. I just understand by our speed and well-being. Because Sergei is now in good condition, and so am I. Yes, I didn’t feel very good at some starts, but even in such a situation I fight with the guys. I understand from the speed that at the stages of the World Cup, at the World Championships, Seryoga and I can just «leave» (laughs)! Playing first and second place is 100%.
strong>- In general, before the start of the season, did you expect such agility from Ustyugov? He said in every interview that he was already tired of cross-country skiing, and here it is …
— Still, such an athlete who knows how to show results just needed a challenge to prepare himself and check. And he accepted this challenge, approached in the best shape over the past few years. Not surprisingly, he is now showing good results. In fact, he had a desire to try. And he did it.
— I would like to touch on the topic of the family. One gets the feeling that the presence of a wife and daughter on the podium at the Russian Championship simply inspires you. How important is this?- Very important. That in the individual race, that in the skiathlon, when I finished, the thought was in my head: «Here, Eva is watching, we must run faster, we must try even harder!» The race is over, I came into the room, and there a small miracle awaits me. Which is already «That's it, here I am!», All emotions, all joy is in this. The start was over, I won, but the most interesting thing will be when I get to the room.
— How fast does she grow up?
— Oh! I run the race, I come, and it has already changed (smiles)! There is already something new in it! Therefore, I am very glad that Anya supports and comes with me and Eva to competitions, to training camps, this is very important, by the way.
— In the national team, we do not end the baby boom. Do you already have thoughts about a second child? Such a thing … Here's how it goes. Who knows.
— Does he already recognize dad on TV, somehow reacts, maybe?
On TV, I don't know. And so, of course, he knows me (laughs). Every day I try to spend as much time as possible with her, we play. Of course, she already understands everything perfectly, knows that here are her parents, this is 100%. In general, she reacts differently to people. If someone unfamiliar comes, then she is very cautious. You won't smile right away. Such a serious man, studies, examines the stranger, who is he, why did he come, why did he come? With what thoughts did he come here? But then it can somehow interact.- That is, all in the father. After all, dad, for example, does not let unfamiliar journalists near him for a long time!
— Yes, that's right! strong>
— Well, I don't know. There is something!
Returning to our problems, Elena Vyalbe told us in an interview that the International Ski Federation and snowboarding (FIS), one of the criteria for the admission of Russians to starts is an open condemnation of a special military operation in Ukraine. What is your attitude?
— To be honest, this is not a topic that I would like to discuss in an interview.
— Have you thought about preparing for the next season?— Still, what was the main emotion you remember at the end of the season? Maybe those sensational «bags» with Ustyugov? Or something else? Even now I don't remember. There were interesting moments, but there was no such thing as something as powerful as winning the Olympic Games.
Do you miss Johannes Klebo? Or let him miss Alexander Bolshunov?
— I don’t even know what to answer. As I said, at the beginning of the season we were somehow worried, but in the end we create such competition here that it is interesting for all viewers.