Bolshunov again lost the finish to Korostelev: he fed pizza on his head

In the sprint, this is already becoming a tradition – Savely Korostelev, 19 years old, continuing the skiing dynasty (grandparents are Morilov coaches, mother is Olympic medalist Natalya Korosteleva, father is a skier, uncle is Olympic medalist Nikolai Morilov), won again at the stage of the Russian Cup. For the third time in a row this season.

…When Alexander Bolshunov on Thursday won the second stage of the Russian Cup for the first time in the season (winning the 15-kilometer time trial in the classic style), he fed everyone with his own pizza. The move, of course, is not standard, but pleasant in all respects. And they say that Bolshunov conceived it even before the victory.

In the video of the On Skis project, 19-year-old Saveliy Korostelev enthusiastically bites into a piece of pizza that San Sanych has just brought to the table for his colleagues (yes, he also delivered treats himself).
On Saturday, Saveliy won the Russian Cup sprint with the same enthusiasm. It seems that he should not have been at a distance according to the alignment (although such assumptions are not about sports), but he shot at Bolshunov with a victory right at the finish line.

The Olympic champion won the qualification of the classical sprint of the second stage of the Cup of Russia, Sergey Ardashev was the second, Alexander Terentiev was the third. But Korostelev was 15th, hooked on the fence, lost time. Further, in the battle for the final, no one had any problems: Bolshunov and Korostelev led the first semi-final, Terentiev and Ardashev – the second, Ilya Semikov and Ivan Gorbunov were selected in time.

Alexander Bolshunov was clearly going to win, ran into the gap. But Savely ran away with him. And at the finish line, “together” no longer happens. Sergey Ardashev also arrived in time, who lagged behind, but felt that he had strength and “need to explode.” He became the second, and San Sanych – the third.

So coach Yuri Borodavko will fix in words what everyone saw: Sasha wanted to break away due to early acceleration, but this tactic worked effectively only until the last meters and Bolshunov’s strength was not enough.

What can not be said about Savely Korostelev. And that’s great. We already knew that the internal competition in skiing is at its best, right? But wanted even sharper? It seems that the regiment tickling the nerves of the leader Bolshunov, which means reinforcing Russian skis, has arrived.

By the way, Korostelev, judging by the interview, says “thank you” to internal starts. They say that at the usual time the national team would have left for the World Cup races, and the opportunity to run with the strongest had evaporated. True, Savely himself is already resolutely drawing himself into this category. But how the athlete will look at the World Cup, speaking in the adult category, we have to see, alas, not this season.

And Korostelev, undoubtedly, has already added intrigue to the stages of the Russian Cup. Leads in the overall standings of the Cup, ahead of Alexander Bolshunov. It is a pity that after three victories Korostelev will take a break at the cup starts. Still young, 19 years old, celebrated on the day of the second victory, he also has junior starts, and, imagine, the Russian-Chinese Youth Games, which will be held on December 15-20 in China (by the way, not only skiers will compete there (2002-2007 year of birth), but also representatives of alpine skiing, snowboarding, speed skating, short track, figure skating, curling and freestyle).

But the season has just begun, and the skiers of the base (including Bolshunov) are just rolling into it, they will actively gain in the course of the races. They are already recruiting – this is evident, the same San Sanych could have won, choose a different tactic, Borodavko is sure. However, Korostelev is also rolling in, hoping that he will be stronger for the Russian championship. Yes, and distance races have not yet brought him success in the Russian Cup.

And Saveliy commented on the new victory on the air of Abakan 24 as follows: “The emotions are wonderful! It ran hard. Alexander pulled so hard that it was very difficult to maintain such a pace. It’s good that it worked.”

Alexander Bolshunov did not comment on anything, he quickly left the cameras. Apparently, he will answer on the ski track.