Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov won the mass start at the sixth stage of the Russian Cup in Tyumen.
Bolshunov covered the distance of 15 kilometers in 39 minutes 54.3 seconds. Alexey Chervotkin (+1.2) came in second, while Anton Timashov (+4.6) closed the top three.
Bolshunov won 17 victories in 17 races this season.
Bolshunov won the World Cup twice and won the Tour de Ski. At the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing, the Russian won five medals, including three gold. He was the flag bearer of the Russian team at the closing ceremony of the games.
In the spring of 2022, the International Ski Federation (FIS) decided to suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions until the end of the season. On October 22, this decision was extended for the 2022/23 season.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that Russian and Belarusian athletes may be admitted to the 2024 Paris Olympics on neutral status subject to a number of strict conditions, but only if they qualify to compete through selection for the Games. However, not all athletes from these countries have the opportunity to participate in qualifying competitions.
Previously Elena Vyalbe named the condition For the return of Russians to the international arena.