Natalia Nepryaeva: I Don’t Do Screaming, Shouting Or Public  Breaking Of Poles

Natalia Nepryaeva: I Don’t Do Screaming, Shouting Or Public Breaking Of Poles

Leaders, Newsfeed
Natalia Nepryaeva doesn't really need introductions in 2020. But just to refresh you memory: the 3d overall in the World Cup 2019/20, arguably the most universal female skier of our times ( 4h in both Distance and Sprint ratings) and Russia's best hope for women's program at Oberstdorf-2021. We spoke in Ramsau , Russians' traditional October training camp - and their first on snow this season. The pandemics wreaked havoc with all of my spring plans. I was planning to do some downhill skiing with friends, to visit St. Petersburg - instead had to stay at parents’ countryside cabin, “ dacha”, in more or less full isolation - the only positive side was spending more time with the family! The summer training wasn’t too good either. Long, very long training…
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Yuri Borodavko: Bolshunov Is As Ready As Last Year, Nepryaeva Will Have Tough Beginning Of Season

Yuri Borodavko: Bolshunov Is As Ready As Last Year, Nepryaeva Will Have Tough Beginning Of Season

Leaders, Newsfeed
Yuri Borodavko spoke to Daily Skier at the training camp in Ramsau as his athletes were ..playing floorball. Borodavko is almost unique among the top xcski coaches: he believes that ball sports - be it volleyball, floorball or even football - are good for morale and team spirits. And that the benefits of good mood outweigh the potential risks. ...For the Russians this season was as experimental as it could : instead of going to their usual Alpine and Norwegian training spots, they've stayed at home - which meant no snow skiing in the summer and non-standard altitude camps. How will affect Alex Bolshunov, Natalia Nepryaeva and their teammates Borodavko, in his own words: [caption id="attachment_17137" align="alignnone" width="1443"] It’s one tough season. Apart from COVID that affected and keeps on…
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Natalia Nepryaeva Becomes Chairwoman Of Regional Ski Association

Natalia Nepryaeva Becomes Chairwoman Of Regional Ski Association

Leaders, Newsfeed
#2 in the last season's FIS World Cup standings got an interesting additional role in her life and career. Natalia Nepryaeva was elected today a chairman of the regional ski association ( the Russians call them "regional federations" ) in her native Tver in a highly unusual move that we assess as both positive and promising. Tver is a region of some 1.3 million people and long established skiing traditions. To put it in perspective, Alex Bolshunov being born in Bryansk is quite a bit of a fluke - Nepryaeva coming from Tver is something to be expected. Traditionally, a title of the regional association boss went to either well-respected coach or top local ski philanthropist. In other words, somebody with a lot of experience and gravitas. The things started…
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Natalia Nepryaeva, Part 2: I Live Effing Fantastic Life!

Natalia Nepryaeva, Part 2: I Live Effing Fantastic Life!

Leaders, Newsfeed
...Here's Part 2 of out conversation with Natalia Nepryaeva. "Conversation" is an instrumental word here - it was part interview, part open talk about the skiing world and those who live & compete in it. As most open conversations, it kinda lacked that structural rigidity expected of formal interview, was going back and forth on several subjects. Anyhow, it was fun and here's a gist of it :   [caption id="attachment_11975" align="alignnone" width="1920"] I live effing fantastic life! ( for the Russian language experts among you -  Natalia is using the word "охренненная" in her native tongue - effing is the best translation we could come up with ))) .  I do like the popularity that comes with victories, I do like that growing attention to myself. And it's not…
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Natalia Nepryaeva: My Job Is To Force Myself To Do Things I Don’t Want To Do

Natalia Nepryaeva: My Job Is To Force Myself To Do Things I Don’t Want To Do

Leaders, Newsfeed
" Natalia's got quite a character". That's what you would hear a lot about the leader of the Russian ski team no matter who you talk to. Nepryaeva could be vocal, could be demanding on her teammates/staff, could be all too concentrated on her race to even smile back at the stranger's greetings. What a few know is that under that tough appearance is actually a fascinating human being: smart, well read, articulate and very, very focused on her goals. You just have to find the right moment to approach her... ....First things first, in a preamble to the interview, a 23 year old Russian Olympic and world medalist and a runner-up for the title of the World Cup winner 2018/19 sets the limits: " I don't want to talk…
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