MOSCOW, December 16, Oleg Bogatov. Senior coach of the Russian national team in cross-country skiing, Yuri Borodavko said that difficult weather conditions affected the speed and results of athletes in the 5-kilometer race in the classic style with a time trial at the stage of the National Cup, held in Kirovo-Chepetsk.
The race was won by Olympic relay champion Veronika Stepanova, the result was 14 minutes 21.5 seconds. Anastasia Kuleshova was second (14.1 seconds behind), and Elizaveta Pantrina was third (+31.0).
«»14 seconds is not such a big advantage for Veronica Stepanova, after all, our leaders should think not only about winning in Russia, but also functionally prepare for the more serious competition that exists at the World Cup stages. But today there was «The track was quite difficult, because immediately before the start of the competition it snowed and there was no such excellent gliding. Still, the athletes had certain problems with speed. Moreover, after severe frosts, the snow was frozen, which led to such results,» said Wart.