The cross-country skiing event for students during the Winter Sports Games was marred by a tragic incident that drew wide attention.
The planned 10-kilometer mass start for the girls on March 8 faced weather that made the course, one of the most challenging in Sochi, difficult from the outset. Several dozen athletes started down the slope together, and visibility was already poor as the speed increased along the track.
Witnesses report that dense fog surrounded the course even before the start, a detail corroborated by video footage from the stadium area.
Snow continued to fall heavily in the morning, yet the organizers chose to use a snow compactor to smooth the surface rather than postpone the race. The intention was to improve conditions, but the machine did not curb the deteriorating weather.
Once the snowcat began work, the track’s surface grew slick with ice particles, increasing the risk for riders on the descent.
The final decision came as athletes accelerated down the most perilous stretch, reaching speeds that made control difficult on the icy patches.
On that descent, several athletes slipped, sustaining fractures to arms and legs, facial injuries, and other trauma as sticks and skis collided. The rear portion of the peloton, unable to see clearly ahead due to the dense fog, contributed to a gridlock on the course.
Those who heard the screams and attempted to avoid collisions often could not manage the task, given the challenging terrain and the high likelihood of losing balance on the slick surface.
In an interview with Spor.Ru, participant Kornei Kornev described hearing cries as he passed the highway portion of the course. He criticized the decision to run the race in such fog and suggested that a snowcat was deployed shortly before the start, which displaced ice from the lower layers and created further hazards. He noted that teammates were sent to the ambulance with injuries as the event unfolded and described the scene as distressing.
Ultimately, nine athletes were taken from the piste by ambulance, and fifteen others chose to withdraw from the race.
“The level of these athletes is very low”
Elena Vyalbe, president of the Russian Ski Racing Federation, commented calmly on the incident, attributing injuries to insufficient preparation by underage competitors. She questioned whether the athletes were ready for such a track and characterized the level of preparation as lacking. She also stated that the skiers sustained bruises and ankle injuries, a claim reported by some outlets.
In an official statement, the Russian Ministry of Sports defended the organizers, attributing the injuries to fog that unexpectedly blocked the track. The ministry noted that the fog caused visibility to deteriorate and resulted in hospitalizations for the girls; the boys’ race was canceled. The ministry pledged a review of the circumstances and emphasized that athlete safety remains a priority.
“The track was covered in blood, faces were badly cut.”
Some participants disputed the official stance, arguing that dense fog was present from the start and that the piste was not adequately prepared for competition. They described more serious injuries than bruises, including cuts and fractures sustained on the turns. A participant, speaking on condition of anonymity, commented that a snowmobile immediately before the start had softened the surface, failing to improve safety. With visibility down to zero on the second lap, some athletes deliberately fell to avoid colliding with injured competitors. One skier recounted a fall that left glasses broken, yet allowed him to finish the race, driven by adrenaline.
The decision not to halt the race after the initial major crash drew further criticism, as another descent proved equally hazardous. A competing athlete recalled suffering a head impact and a broken pair of glasses, yet continuing the course to the end. The disagreement with Vyalbe’s remarks and the ministry’s stance grew, with participants arguing that the injuries were far more serious than bruising and demanded accountability.
One participant, speaking with a media outlet, described conditions as revealing a piste that was not ready for competition and a slope that had become a hazard due to weather and handling. He questioned the adequacy of safety measures and expressed frustration at the ongoing risk to competitors.
“There are fractures in the arms, legs and ribs.”
A relative of a participant, contacted through a social news site, reported that visibility was very poor and the speed on the descent was high. He described multiple injuries and noted that one rider’s knee was damaged by a ski pole. A coach from St. Petersburg, commenting through the same outlet, indicated that the organizers were not to blame and attributed the weather to a natural failure rather than mismanagement.
The prosecutor’s office will launch an investigation
Sochi’s Adler district prosecutor’s office announced an investigation into the injuries sustained by skiers. The statement confirmed that all victims received medical care and that their lives were not in immediate danger, while noting that the actions of event organizers and officials would be examined during inspections. The press service of the Krasnodar region prosecutor’s office conveyed these updates via its Telegram channel.
Russian sports commentator Dmitry Guberniev suggested that criminal liability could arise from negligent management of the event. He indicated that a formal criminal case might be opened in relation to the incident in Laura and the issue of possible negligence would be explored in due course.