Russian skier, bronze medalist of the Vancouver Olympics Alexei Petukhov congratulated compatriots Alexander Bolshunov and Ivan Yakimushkin on winning the gold and silver medals of the Beijing Games in the 30 km mass start. Petukhov called Bolshunov the king of skis.
“Great race, today all four athletes forced the fight on the rest of the rivals - including the Norwegians, because they are our direct competitors. It was clear that it was hard for Denis Spitsov. Artem Maltsev was the fourth - it's a shame, a little lacking. But what Bolshunov and Yakimushkin did is an outstanding result. I congratulate Sasha on his third gold medal, today he truly became the king of skiing. Even though this is not a “fifty kopeck”, but at a 50-kilometer distance he would show his best qualities, he would definitely win. Yakimushkin let go of the Norwegian Krueger a little, but he pulled himself together and did his best, with which I congratulate him and the whole group of Oleg Perevozchikov - they still had no medals. Very interesting, emotional race, I am very satisfied. I congratulate the entire coaching staff, the Ski Racing Federation, the parents of Sasha Bolshunov - I know that they were very worried. He is now simply invincible, he does what he wants, ”said Petukhov.
Initially, the mass start was supposed to be held in the format of a 50-kilometer marathon, but due to weather conditions, the distance was reduced to 30 km. Petukhov is convinced that this did not matter much to Russian skiers.
“The distance reduction did not affect the alignment for our athletes. As they were distributed today, they would have fought at the “fifty kopecks”. Definitely, Kruger would have competed with them, but Alexander Bolshunov would not have given up his 50 km advantage. He is an endurance athlete who specializes in longer distances. We saw him run away at the World Cup, and at the Fifty here he could have run away. I think all the same athletes would have fought for medals, just the gaps were a little more, ”concluded Petukhov.
Earlier it became known why the Norwegian skier Johannes Klebo withdrew from the marathon at the Olympic Games 2022.
bbabo.Net