Federico Pellegrino: Why I Chose To Train With Russians

Federico Pellegrino: Why I Chose To Train With Russians

Leaders, Newsfeed
The news of Federico Pellegrino and Francesco De Fabiani joining Markus Cramer's group of Team Russia for the full cycle of the Olympic preps is unusual to say the list. Why do the best Italians of the decade want to change their regimen so drastically - and why Russians as training partners? We caught up with the reigning World Cup holder in Sprint in Estonia: - Why Russians, and what are you trying to gain my this? - The idea was ours, mine and De Fabiani's. We had problems in our team, the last winter was hard and the Сorona pandemics didn't help us at all. We had to reorhanize and change - and that in the fourth year of the Olympic cycle. Even if my race results were good…
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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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Peter Schlickenrieder: There Is No Way This System Can Continue. Big Changes Need To Happen

Peter Schlickenrieder: There Is No Way This System Can Continue. Big Changes Need To Happen

Leaders, Newsfeed
The tensions that were/are simmering in the top-level international skiing seemed to have reached the boiling point. Late on Friday, Peter Schlickenrieder has thrown the gauntlet, publishing the Instagram post in which he openly calls for "Big changes" Earlier the same day Yelena Vyalbe has threatened to withdraw the Russian squad from the World Cup should the authorities somewhere try to quarantine an entire team if one team member gets a positive Covid test - apparently, that happened to the Russian Alpine skiers earlier this month when a waxer got corona-positive: everyone was ordered to stay indoors for over a week & not allowed to compete. Both Schlickenrieder and Vyalbe are far bigger personas in their home countries than the actual sport of cross-country skiing. Schlickenrieder, a very successful businessman,…
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White Snow Movie: World’s First Biopic About Star Of XCSkiing Is Almost Complete

White Snow Movie: World’s First Biopic About Star Of XCSkiing Is Almost Complete

Newsfeed, Trivia
Look at the cover photo and say hello to Yelena Vyalbe and..."Yelena Vyalbe". The final shots of the full-size feature movie about the life & career of one the most prominent figures in the international skiing ever were filmed in Moscow this week. Vyalbe's lifestory is practically begging for a biopic. Born & raised without a father in Magadan, the city featuring one of the harshest climates on Earth. [caption id="attachment_16328" align="alignnone" width="1920"] Can't tell them apart! On the left is Yelena Trubitsyna (Vyalbe) in her childhood , on the right is Angelina Vyalbe playing the role of her grandmother [/caption] Universally recognized ski prodigy - who finds herself pregnant at 18. The cross country skier who won the most world titles ever-ever ( the feat later surpassed by Marit…
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