The news that Elena Vyalbe was unanimously re-elected as the head of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) drew a strong reaction from Tatyana Tarasova, a revered figure in Soviet and Russian figure skating history. Tarasova, who has long been associated with the highest levels of coaching and sport governance, weighed in on the conference and the decision that kept Vyalbe at the helm for another term. The atmosphere at the FLGR reporting and election conference reflected broad confidence in Vyalbe, who stood as the sole candidate for the presidency this time around. Tarasova underscored the stability and continuity that come with having a leader who is deeply embedded in the sport and understands the daily realities of training, competition, and athlete development. She emphasized that in sports administration it matters a great deal to have someone whose career is inseparable from the work they oversee, and she noted there are rarely questions about the direction under such leadership, only a sense of relief and celebration. Tarasova’s remarks were reported by TASS, highlighting the consensus among many in the sport that Vyalbe is the right person to guide Russian ski racing into the future. The sentiment she expressed resonated through the hall, reinforcing the notion that consistent leadership can help the federation navigate the complex landscape of international competition and national talent development.
