"In Izhevsk, I thanked Bolshunov for the fight, he reciprocated"

The main scandal of 2025 in Russian ski racing occurred at the end of November. In Kirovsk, during the first stage of the Russian Cup, our main star in this sport, three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov, pushed a blind young skier Alexander Bakurov from behind after finishing the sprint, who fell onto the fence and was injured. On December 2, the Russian Ski Racing Federation suspended Bolshunov for the entire duration of Bakurov's recovery.

Already on December 7, at the next stage of the Cup of Russia in Tyumen, both returned to the track. Bakurov took part in the Technonicol ski and biathlon exhibition race in early January. The Race of Champions", which traditionally takes place on New Year's holidays in Ryazan. The 23-year-old skier was announced at the last moment, replacing the ill leader of the overall standings of the Cup of Russia Sergey Ardashev. In an interview with Izvestia, Bakurov spoke about his communication with Bolshunov after the scandal and assessed the prospects of Daria Nepryaeva and Savely Korostelev being admitted to international competitions.

— What was it like to suddenly interrupt the celebration of the New Year and go to Ryazan?

— I am generally satisfied with the event and the result of it. Considering what my move was like, I think everything is fine and it will only get better from now on.

— Can you tell me how urgently it was necessary to leave for Ryazan?

— The first day of the "Race of Champions" was on January 3rd. And on January 2, at 12:00 local time, I was in the Novosibirsk region, 200 km from Novosibirsk. At that moment, they called me and told me that there was an opportunity to come to Ryazan for such an event. As a result, I drove three hours to the airport in Novosibirsk, then took a three-hour plane ride to Moscow and another three hours by taxi to the biathlon complex near Ryazan. In general, it turned out to be quite a long journey.

— Did such a sudden departure greatly disrupt the preparation plans for the first stage of the Russian Cup in January, which will be held in the middle of the month?

— It didn't fit into the plans at all. I didn't prepare for this race, I didn't do any preparatory work. I was relaxing at home, walking, playing computer, playing hockey. And I just took off from the ship to the ball in Ryazan.

— What were you playing on the computer?

— Counter-Strike.

— Do you play often?

— Quite often, but in any case, I restrain myself to the extent of discipline.

— After your races at the Race of Champions, you walked around with a camera, filming yourself, other athletes and the entourage.

— Yes, for my blog.

— For which resources and how many subscribers?

— There are almost 5 thousand in Telegram. I also want to start a YouTube channel — maybe the first video will be from Ryazan. Maybe I'll do it again in VK Video.

— Why did you decide to make such videos?

— I've always had an interest in this. I also planned to shoot my New Year's holidays, but then I also uploaded such content thanks to the challenge to the "Race of Champions".

— So you don't regret that you flew halfway across the country on the second day after the New Year?

— Actually, I went to Ryazan for the sake of emotions and a cool atmosphere. I know that the atmosphere at this competition is great, even last year, although I wasn't there myself, but I heard from other guys.

— Is vlogging related to the desire to make sure that you are already known to a wide range of people, not only because of the Bolshunov scandal?

— No, no, it's just for my subscribers, for my family, friends. Those who sincerely support me, who are pleased to see the inner atmosphere of the competition. I have a desire to do this for them.

— Did you have a chance to talk to Bolshunov after we crossed paths on the track in the next race after the scandal?

— I extended my hand to him in Tyumen. Basically, he handed it to me too. Izhevsk hosted the fourth stage of the Russian Cup on December 20-21. — Ed.) I thanked him after the final for his work, for his struggle. He reciprocated. That's all.

— How serious was the injury? How did we manage to get to the start in a little over a week?

— To be honest, I don't want to discuss it anymore. I was asked to come back earlier. And don't go to the start... I didn't see the point in it either. I showed up when I was ready to run.

"We support the skiers, but the biathletes have no chance of getting there"

World champion Anton Babikov — about the participation of two Russians in the Tour de Ski and the admission of biathletes to the international arena

— Were you surprised how several skiers publicly supported you in this situation?

— I am confident in them, I am confident in my friends, my team. And I know that they will always take the right position and will not be biased towards anyone. How they see this situation, that's what they'll say.

— Did you follow the performance of Daria Nepryaeva and Savely Korostelev at the Tour de Ski?

— Yes, I did. I think they will make progress with each stage of the World Cup, and the results will get better and better. I believe in them. They are very strong — the strongest in Russia at the moment.

— Do you believe that they will fight for something serious at the Olympics in February?

— Yes, yes, yes. Absolutely. They will fight.