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The Russian selection system for the Tour de Ski takes is based on three factors: World Cup results, Russian National Trials and the vote of the national team head coach. Originally the National Trials should have taken place in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, but had to be moved North-East to Syktyvkar due to the lack of snow. The results of the Natioanal Trials were nothing short of sensational. Twenty three year old Sergey Shyryaev won both of the distance events. Especially noticeable was Shyryaev’s almost half a minute dominance over the Russian national team leader Evgeniy Dementyev in the 15 km freestyle race. Before this victory, nobody considered Sergey as a potential national team member. But there was an even more amazing story in women part of the program. 35-year old Elena Vedeneeva won the classic N K race, and also took the third place in the sprints. Before this season she was known as one of world’s top roller skiers, but never as a national level snow skier This was the first time in her life to compete at a national level on the snow. Interestinlgly, both of the sensational newcomers train with Anatoliy Tchepalov, father and coach of Yulia Tchepalova ( Yulia is expecting her second baby and is going to skip the upcoming season).
Another surprise was the revival of the Salt Lake City Olympic champion Mikhail Ivanov who took the podium in his favorite distance 15 km classic event. The sad side of the story was Vassiliy Rochev’s strong flu, which will not allow the Russian National Team captain to compete in the Tour de Ski. Ivan Babikov could not make the team either. Seems, that his adjustment to the Russian National Team training system was not smooth. Another surprise was controversial selection of Ivan Alypov over Sergey Novikov, which was not consistent with Alypov’s performance this season.
Results of Russian national Tour de Ski Trials
23 of December, Syktyvkar
Women, 10 km, freestyle
1 Natalya Korostelyova 1981 25:42,6
2 Evgeniya Medvedeva 1976 25:53,7
3 Olga Zavyalova 1972 26:24,2
4 Natalya Ylyna 1985 26:29,8
5 Alyona Sydko 1979 26:32,1
6 Elena Buruhina 1977 26:41,3
7 Yryna Artyomova 1984 26:42,6
8 Veronika Timofeeva 1982 26:49,6
9 Yulya Tchekalyova 1984 26:55,9
10 Vera Zyatikova 1974 26:57,8
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13 Natalya Matveeva 1986 27:13,0
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16 Elena Vedeneeva 1971 27:15,8
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21 Svetlana Nageykina 1965 27:27,3
Men, 15 km, freestyle