Natalia Nepryaeva Becomes Chairwoman Of Regional Ski Association
#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…