Yelena Vyalbe : I’m opposed to emphasizing that I’m the first female in FIS Council

Yelena Vyalbe : I’m opposed to emphasizing that I’m the first female in FIS Council

Leaders, Newsfeed
Interviews with Yelena Vyalbe, legendary skier, boss of the Russian snowsports and newly-minted member of the FIS (governing) Council are but a sheer bliss for any journalist. Calling spade's spade is one of her specialties. Here's Part 1 : "..I'm opposed to emphasizing that I'm " the first female in FIS Council" and generally against dividing people based on their gender at work. Professionalism and enthusiasm for the job should matter, not gender or any other factors. FIS has a range of big issues it needs to handle and tackle . The biggest one is increasing revenue from selling audiovisual rights and amending the system of revenue sharing between the stakeholders. The current arrangements are meant to be lasting till 2026 and figuring out what to do then is the…
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First XCSki Star Biopic Is Nearly There  – Teaser Is Out

First XCSki Star Biopic Is Nearly There – Teaser Is Out

Leaders, Newsfeed
The true measure of athlete is not about the amount of medals she or he won. It's about lasting legacy - and yes, recognition factor. You could win all you like, ten times over - but if you are shy or somehow despise the attention of media and fans, you are not a true star. On a contrary, a charismatic athlete remains a face of a particular sport long after she/ hung her gear. Yelena Vyalbe was a major star on the ski tracks (and outside of the tracks) in 1990s. Some 20 years after she's still a household name in Russia, a much bigger media figure than any of her current and recent champions. Country's main television channels literally fight to have her in their studios - often to…
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Elena Vyalbe Becomes New Chairperson Of Russian Ski Association

Elena Vyalbe Becomes New Chairperson Of Russian Ski Association

Leaders, Newsfeed
Elena Vyalbe just got an important additional job. To her exisiting titles of the chairwoman of the Russian cross country ski federation (since 2010) and the senior coach of the national team (since 2012) she adds the one of a chairwoman of the whole Russian Ski Association (RSA). RSA is an umbrella organization that includes four sports federations that act rather independently: Alpine Skiing & Snowboard, Freestyle, Ski Jumping & Nordic Combined and, of course, Cross-Country Ski. This is a standard national organizational chart, in a way mimicking the FIS' own structure. National Association president title carries not just a lot of prestige, but quite a bit of weight as well - NA presidents are the ones who officially represent their countries in the International Ski Federation (FIS) . As…
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Skitsnack Or Making News Out Of Nothing At All

Skitsnack Or Making News Out Of Nothing At All

Newsfeed, Trivia
Today we tell you how to cover the ski-related news in 2019. Or, better said, to make the news. And we do it backwards. This week literally every single Russian newspaper and internet resource went with their version of the story that had pretty much same screaming headline: Swedish female skiers made fun of mass pregnant Russian rivals! /Шведские лыжницы высмеяли массово забеременевших российских соперниц. Wow! Why would they? If that was not enough for you to click immediately, there was also a sub-head along the following lines: The Swedes called Yelena Vyalbe "a woman from the old Soviet culture" Vyalbe is a true household name for the most of the Russians ( there is full-size biopic in the works, if case you forgot), but the skiing itself rarely graces…
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Egor Sorin, World’s Youngest National Team Coach

Egor Sorin, World’s Youngest National Team Coach

Newsfeed, Training & Outfitting
...Every sport has obvious stars – those always on TV, adored by crowds of fans. And then there are people who's names won't tell much to general public but who commandeer recognition and respect within the circle of that sport insiders: athletes, coaches, journalists... There are not many faces as recognizable in international cross country skiing as that of Egor Sorin. A former elite skier himself, in the recent years Sorin made a smooth transition to being an assistant to Markus Cramer, Team Russia coach. Sorin is always on the ski tracks leading athletes in yet another grueling session – personally. But even when the training session is finished, Sorin's work day is far from over as he often seen patiently answering international media's questions – Sorin's English is by…
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