Getting closer to the first: Korostelev almost won his first World Cup medal

Russian skier Savely Korostelev showed his second result at the senior international level. On January 18, he took fifth place in the individual 10-kilometer classical style race with a separate start at the World Cup in Oberhof, Germany. Earlier, our athlete rose to fourth place in early January. In a similar women's discipline, Russian Daria Nepryaeva became the 16th. Meanwhile, the rest of our skiers, who are not allowed to participate in international competitions, held their first tournament in 2026, the Russian Cup in Tatarstan.

World Cup stage results

Since the moment when Daria Nepryaeva and Savely Korosteleva were admitted to international competitions in neutral status in December, they have already participated in four stages of the World Cup. Since both skiers competed only in junior tournaments until 2022, when Russian athletes were suspended, their debut at the highest level took place in December.

First there was the World Cup stage in Davos, Switzerland. There, Korostelev started from 52nd place in the freestyle sprint, but already in the 10 km race he became 25th. Next, two World Cup stages were held as part of the Christmas multi-day Tour de Ski race in Toblach and Val di Fiemme, Italy. At the first of them, the 22-year-old skier rose to fifth place in the 10 km classic, and in early January, at the second Italian stage, he became fourth in the mass start - this is his best career result.

Nepryaeva started from 39th and 20th places in Davos. She had successful freestyle mass starts at the Tour de Ski, finishing eighth in Toblach and sixth in Val di Fiemme. After that, there was a two-week break in the World Cup. Finally, last weekend, the sixth stage took place in the German Oberhof.

On the first day, our team did not participate in the sprint — this decision was made by coach Egor Sorin as part of their training. And in the race with a split start, Korostelev's triumph almost happened. He was close to winning his first career World Cup medal, losing to the top three by just 10 seconds. Nevertheless, Savely's prospects for the February Olympics in Italy look optimistic. However, experts also believe in Nepryaeva, who finished 16th in Germany.

"It's not easy for Daria and Savely, as they have almost no experience competing on European tracks," two—time Olympic champion Nikolai Zimyatov told Izvestia. — The weather there is milder than our frosts, artificial snow, and other specifics. Therefore, they will need time to get used to it. Moreover, this is their first competition of this level in their career. But it is already clear that Korostelev is gradually increasing. I'm sure he'll get to the medals soon. And Nepryaeva will also catch up to the leaders.

Got into the top ten: Korostelev and Nepryaeva finished the Tour de Ski with dignity

Both Russians finished in the top 10 overall standings.

Results of the Russian Cup stage

The sixth stage of the Russian Cup in cross-country skiing was held near Kazan in the village of Mirny. It was the first since December. Since only Nepryaeva and Korostelev were allowed to participate in international competitions, most of our stars continue to perform at domestic competitions. The stage in Tatarstan was no exception.

Three–time Olympic champion, two–time World Cup winner, three-time world champion Alexander Bolshunov, 2022 Olympic relay champion Alexey Chervotkin, 2022 Olympic medalists Alexander Terentyev, Ivan Yakimushkin and 2018 Olympic medalist Andrey Larkov, as well as the overall leader of the current Cup of Russia Sergey Ardashev arrived there.

There were almost no stars in the women's starts who managed to take medals at the Olympics and World Championships until 2022. But the races themselves turned out to be quite spectacular. On January 15, Alina Pekletsova won the 10 km freestyle race, two days later Alyona Baranova won the sprint, and Evgenia Krupitskaya became the best in skiathlon on the last day of the week.

Bolshunov confidently won gold in the men's 15 km freestyle and skiathlon. Terentyev took over in the sprint.

"I am very pleased with Bolshunov's performance," Yuri Borodavko, the skier's coach, told Izvestia. — It was not easy for him on the first day, he left only 16 seconds for Egor Mitroshin, who came second. But I got in shape for skiathlon and already won by a wide margin. However, this is still not Sasha's best form. I would like to wish him strength, health, patience and peace of mind. There is still work to be done before the old Bolshunov, and we wish him to reach the level he is capable of. He's gradually getting better. And I am sure he will continue to perform even better.

The next stage of the World Cup will be held on January 23-25 in the Goms Valley in Switzerland. And the next stage of the Cup of Russia is on January 24-25 in Syktyvkar.