In the opening stage of the 2023/2024 Russian Cup in cross-country skiing, a 15 km free time trial for men took place in Vershina Tei. Alexander Bolshunov, competing for the Bryansk region, emerged as the victor, clocking a time of 32.37.9. Artem Maltsev from the Tyumen region finished a close second, 6.3 seconds behind, while Savely Korostelv, representing the Arkhangelsk region, secured third place with a 19.2-second gap.
Bolshunov’s win in Vershina Tei marked another strong performance in a season filled with national and international competition. The race showcased his capacity to sustain top speed over the demanding 15-kilometer course, with Maltsev and Korostelv delivering solid early-season results that signaled a competitive field. These performances contributed to conversations about depth in the Russian sprint and endurance teams as the season progressed. (Source: Russian Ski Federation, athlete performance summaries)
Earlier that August, Bolshunov sustained a back strain during training in Belarus. The injury kept him from starting in Khanty-Mansiysk, and team officials indicated that his participation would be guided by his health status immediately before the event. The careful approach reflected a broader strategy to manage workload and maintain long-term form across a winter packed with major events. (Source: Team press briefings, 2023 season updates)
Throughout his career, Bolshunov has accumulated a remarkable collection of results. He has claimed World Cup titles on multiple occasions and has won the Tour de Ski, highlighting his versatility across different race formats. At the Olympic Games in Beijing, he earned five medals, including three golds, and was chosen as the flag bearer for the closing ceremony, underscoring his standing within the national squad. (Source: Olympic records, World Cup statistics)
In the 2021/22 season, Bolshunov, like all Russian skiers, faced a suspension from the final World Cup races, which effectively ended the season early. Since that time, he has not taken part in international competitions, a development that influenced both team planning and the broader dialogue around Russian participation in global events. (Source: International competition rulings, federation communications)
A former Norwegian skier offered expressions of hope that Russian athletes would soon return to international competition, a sentiment echoed by many within the sport as discussions around scheduling and eligibility continued. (Source: media interviews, federation statements)