Igor Belomestnov, the technical delegate for the Russian Federation of Ski Racing (FLGR), suggested that the mass fall at Spartakiad student skiers may have been amplified by a climate of fear among competitors. He explained that coaches had repeatedly warned athletes about the risks at the earliest sign of trouble, and those cautions seemed to echo through the crowd of onlookers and the field of skiers as the incident unfolded. The remarks were reported by Match TV and cited as part of the ongoing discussion about what happened on the track.
Belomestnov expressed deep sympathy for the young female skiers who were caught in the emergency. He noted that those involved and their families were under immense stress, and stressed that there had been no rash or reckless action by the organizers. He argued that the criticisms circulating after the event did not reflect the careful planning and execution that typically accompany such competitions, and he emphasized that the athletes’ concerns and the coaches’ warnings should be understood in the context of keeping everyone safe on the course.
There is a consideration that fear may have played a role in the chain of events. According to Belomestnov, as the first athletes navigated a challenging section, one skier slipped and collided with another, partly because they were moving through the course at a controlled pace but still in the flow of competitors. He described how the avalanche of reactions from the surrounding coaches and officials, who began shouting cautions, might have unsettled other skiers who were watching closely. In that moment, the atmosphere was tense, yet visibility across the slope remained good, providing enough information for competitors to make decisions about speed and technique.
The sequence of falls extended over a substantial distance, with the first injury occurring while others were spread along roughly 80 meters of the course. Belomestnov noted that the initial incident triggered a cascade of responses. The trackside staff and coaching teams raised voices to warn, and those sounds traveled along the slope, potentially influencing the pacing and risk assessment of skiers who were following. The collective adrenaline and the immediacy of the danger created a challenging environment for athletes who were already pushing their limits in a high-stakes setting.
Elena Vyalbe, president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR), provided details about the aftermath of the accident. She reported that, while one skier remained in hospital after the major collapse, a total of 17 athletes required hospitalization during the incident’s immediate response. The scale of the emergency prompted a broad review of safety protocols and medical readiness, highlighting the need for enhanced on-site support, rapid triage, and clear communication channels between officials, coaches, and medical teams in real time. The incident underscored the importance of balancing competitive urgency with the absolute priority of participant safety on demanding courses.
In the broader context, the spring 2022 decisions by the International Ski Federation (FIS) to suspend Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competition until the end of that season, a measure later extended, have shaped the competitive landscape. Russian athletes have since participated primarily in domestic events, which has affected the level of international exposure and opportunities for the athletes involved in Spartakiad. These ongoing restrictions add a layer of complexity to how national federations plan and respond to crises, including large-scale accidents, and they prompt a continuous re-evaluation of the safety standards and the resources allocated to protect athletes in domestic venues that host high-profile events.
Authorities and investigative bodies are taking a thorough look at the realities behind the crash. The examination aims to determine what factors most directly influenced the sequence of events and to identify any measures that could prevent a recurrence. The inquiry will consider coaching communication, crowd dynamics, course design, visibility, emergency response readiness, and the psychological pressures facing young competitors in a high-intensity sport. As this process unfolds, stakeholders in Canadian and American ski racing communities are watching closely, weighing best practices in risk management, participant welfare, and the prioritization of safety in all competitive formats.
Overall, the incident has sparked a serious conversation about how to safeguard athletes at every level—especially at events that bring together emerging talents who are still developing technique and confidence. It is a reminder that even well-planned events can face unexpected hazards, and that continuous improvement is essential in keeping the sport safe and accessible for the next generation of skiers. The focus remains on ensuring rapid medical access, transparent communication, and proactive safety measures that empower athletes to compete with courage while minimizing preventable harms.