The focus of the Russian skiing team shifted to Alexander Bolshunov after a strong night race in Italy, where the squad’s veteran coach discussed the three-time Olympic champion’s performance. The assessment conveyed growing confidence as Bolshunov readied himself for a demanding, non-traditional event that would test his ability to adapt on snow and execute a plan under unusual conditions. The remarks came as Bolshunov prepared for an international start that would draw keen attention from coaches and rivals alike.
The head coach underscored Bolshunov’s wealth of experience and the learning that comes from racing overseas. He called the night race a testing ground with an unconventional distance, and he observed that Bolshunov’s international season opener unfolded without a hitch. The coach emphasized that the athlete hit the objectives set for the night and crossed the finish line with the sort of victory that tends to embolden training groups to push further. In those remarks, the value of exposure to foreign courses, different snow conditions, and crowd dynamics emerged as a key theme for Bolshunov’s ongoing growth.
On February 13 Bolshunov claimed victory in the international Moonlight Classic staged in South Tyrol, Italy. He navigated the 30-kilometer loop in 1 hour 18 minutes 56.2 seconds. Second place went to Italian racer Lorenzo Ice, 14.4 seconds behind, while Mattia Armelini completed the podium a further 1 minute 25.2 seconds behind the winner. Bolshunov’s win was not just a win on the clock; it was a statement about his ability to translate top-level endurance into victory on a course that rewarded both speed and strategic patience. The performance added another layer to Bolshunov’s season plan, signaling readiness for tougher tests ahead and underscoring his status among the sport’s elite.
Moonlight Classic stands apart from the official ski calendar. The race unfolds on a torch-lit highway, with skiers threading through darkness as torchlight lines the route. The arrangement heightens the night-skiing atmosphere and spectacle for competitors and spectators alike, offering a dramatic contrast to conventional calendar events. For Bolshunov and his rivals, the night adds a psychological layer: every kilometer becomes a test of focus when visibility is limited and the clock pushes toward a demanding target. The spectacle draws spectators who rarely see such a luminous, improvised stage for cross-country skiing.
Earlier in the week Bolshunov’s entry on the international calendar under the Russian flag signaled his readiness to compete beyond domestic meets. The development highlighted his potential impact on the season as he juggles a schedule that mixes marquee events with races focused on endurance and strategic decisions under unusual lighting and timing.
Norwegian rivals signaled caution ahead of Bolshunov’s night run, recognizing his growing versatility across formats. The stance reflected a broader trend in cross-country skiing, where adaptability matters just as much as speed, and Bolshunov’s ability to adjust lines on different tracks under changing light keeps rivals guessing. The performance confirmed that his steady pacing, careful resource use, and calm under dim light remain powerful weapons on varied courses.
Taken together, the Moonlight Classic in Italy captured Bolshunov’s aptitude for navigating a demanding, nontraditional format while delivering a result that strengthens his standing on the world stage. The torch-lit track, the careful pacing over a challenging 30 kilometers, and a tight duel with Italian rivals against a Russian flag backdrop each added texture to Bolshunov’s ongoing competitive arc. The event provided a practical demonstration that resilience, focus, and the willingness to confront unfamiliar racing environments can translate into momentum across an entire season. Observers left with a sense that Bolshunov’s game plan favors breadth of experience as a lever for performance, rather than relying on one mode of speed alone. In this light, his Italy performance becomes a reference point for what he might achieve when confronted with new courses, dates, and audiences later in the year.