Three Russian women on top in a World Cup race for the first time in four years — five days before the start of the World Championship. It raises lingering suspicions. Several coaches doubt that the Russians are clean reports Norwegian newspaper VG (www.vg.no story on http://www.vg.no/pub/vgart.hbs?artid=266570 )
– They must have got a good doctor, says an outspoken coach for one of the leading cross country ski nations.
VG talked to head coaches from many nations after Saturday’s World Cup race. No one wanted to openly say that they suspects the Russians, but several made very clear hints.
Altitude training
The Russian team has spent the last three weeks at 2500-meters altitude in Armenia. Saturday they captured the top three spots and placed an additional three skiers in the top ten. The Russian team has not at all dominated so far this season. Four of the skiers have season best results on Saturday. (See end of story for recent World Cup results)
– We need to consider Armenia for our pre-Olympic camp next year if we can achieve the same progress as the Russians, said Svein Tore Samdal head coach for the Norwegian team sarcastically.
– We were tested several times while we were there, said Julia Tsjepalova during Saturday’s press conference.
– I don’t know if they were tested by the national doping agency, said the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) Chief of racing, Jurg Capol.
– Is the Russian anti-doping agency working? Wondered Jochen Behle, the German national team head coach.
The German team has been in Toblach for ten days and was tested three times during that camp.
Julia Tsjepalova doesn’t understand that anyone would suspect the Russians
– We go through the same doping tests as everyone else. I will be tested now, said Tsjepalova after the race.
The Russian head coach, Juri Tsjarkowski, commented to German television that he was surprised over the good Russian results
– We have trained well at altitude. It remains to be seen if we can do the same in Obersdorf, said Tsjarkowski.
Marit Bjorgen was the best Norwegian with a fourth place on Saturday. She doesn’t suspect the Russians.
– I just have to believe that they have done a fair job. They are clean, I believe, said Bjorgen
Editorial note by Torbjorn Karlsen:
Julia Tsjepalova's comment that she doesn’t understand that anyone could suspect the Russians for doping seems pretty naïve: Two of her team mates, Dailova and Lazutina were, along with Johan Muhlegg the Super Dopers of the 2002 Olympics and responsible for ruining the Olympics.
It’s wildly suspected that additional skiers were lucky that they didn’t get caught as well.
Editor's Note: For a related editorial, see Doper's Tarnish The Sport For All of Us by Torbjorn Karlsen: <http://www.fasterskier.com/opinion562.html
 in the 10-k skate in Nove Mesto on January 15 and two in the top twelve (5 and 12th place) in the Pragelato on January 22 and to having six skiers in the top ten (1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 10 place) on February 12.</p>
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<p>Top twelve results in Saturday’s 10-kilometer skate race:</p>
<p>1 1207165 MEDVEDEVA-ABRUZOVA Evgenia 1976 RUS 25:36.0 0.00<br />
1 1088922 SAVIALOVA Olga 1972 RUS 25:36.0 0.00<br />
3 1092996 TCHEPALOVA Julija 1976 RUS 25:37.8 0.94<br />
4 1303777 BJOERGEN Marit 1980 NOR 25:46.0 5.21<br />
5 1094063 SMIGUN Kristina 1977 EST 25:50.3 7.45<br />
6 1129371 BARANOVA- MASOLKINA Natalia 1975 RUS 25:51.3 7.97<br />
7 1255374 LASSILA Riitta Liisa 1978 FIN 26:06.1 15.68<br />
8 3485039 KURKINA Larisa 1973 RUS 26:10.7 18.07<br />
9 1260903 PEDERSEN Hilde G. 1964 NOR 26:14.5 20.05<br />
10 1240436 BURUKHINA Elena 1977 RUS 26:15.0 20.31<br />
11 1182042 MALAHOVA-SHISHKINA Svetlana 1977 KAZ 26:27.3 26.72<br />
12 3425003 STEIRA STOERMER Kristin 1981 NOR 26:29.7 27.97</p>
<p>Top twelve in Nove Mesto 10-k freestyle on January 15</p>
<p>1 1054778 NEUMANNOVA Katerina 1973 CZE 26:43.8 0.00<br />
2 1303777 BJOERGEN Marit 1980 NOR 26:51.5 3.84<br />
3 1092996 TCHEPALOVA Julija 1976 RUS 26:57.4 6.78<br />
4 1142563 SHEVCHENKO Valentina 1975 UKR 26:59.7 7.93<br />
5 1260903 PEDERSEN Hilde G. 1964 NOR 27:04.0 10.08<br />
6 1005017 VALBUSA Sabina 1972 ITA 27:10.8 13.47<br />
7 1094063 SMIGUN Kristina 1977 EST 27:15.1 15.61<br />
8 3425003 STEIRA STOERMER Kristin 1981 NOR 27:22.2 19.15<br />
9 1220648 KUENZEL Claudia 1978 GER 27:23.2 19.65<br />
10 1255374 LASSILA Riitta Liisa 1978 FIN 27:28.1 22.10<br />
11 1303874 BJOERNAAS Kine Beate 1980 NOR 27:29.1 22.60<br />
12 1256732 SACHENBACHER Evi 1980 GER 27:32.4 24.24</p>
<p>Pragelato 7.5 + 7.5 kilometer pursuit World Cup on January 22</p>
<p>1 3425003 STEIRA STOERMER Kristin 1981 NOR 42:56.5 0.00<br />
2 1054778 NEUMANNOVA Katerina 1973 CZE 42:57.8 0.71<br />
3 1220648 KUENZEL Claudia 1978 GER 43:04.4 4.29<br />
4 1002786 PARUZZI Gabriella 1969 ITA 43:31.4 18.96<br />
5 1092996 TCHEPALOVA Julija 1976 RUS 43:38.9 23.04<br />
6 1005017 VALBUSA Sabina 1972 ITA 43:56.2 32.44<br />
7 1133445 BAUER Viola 1976 GER 44:08.2 38.96<br />
8 1276714 MAJDIC Petra 1979 SLO 44:09.6 39.72<br />
9 1142563 SHEVCHENKO Valentina 1975 UKR 44:14.7 42.49<br />
10 1355769 MUERER STEMLAND Kristin 1981 NOR 44:18.1 44.34<br />
11 1255665 SAARINEN Aino Kaisa 1979 FIN 44:20.1 45.43<br />
12 1367021 SIDKO Alena 1979 RUS 44:50.2 61.78</p>
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