The Devon Kershaw Show: Bolshunov-Bolshunov-Bolshunov…and the Weekend’s Racing from Lahti

We all thought the big news would be the return of Norway. And certainly, that was the news, just not the lead. Norway swept both the men’s and women’s skiathlon podiums on Saturday and won the 4 x 5 k and 4 x 7.5 k relays on Sunday.

Emil Iversen, tailed by Russia’s Alexander Bolshunov, leads a train of red on the way to a Norwegian podium sweep in the 30k skiathlon in Lahti, Finland. (Photo: NordicFocus)

The women’s 15 k skiathlon podium in Lahti, Finland: Helene Marie Fossesholm (NOR) second, Therese Johaug (NOR) first, and Heidi Weng (NOR) third, (l-r). (Photo: NordicFocus)

But…and this is a big but, Alexander Bolshunov made the headlines with his violent behavior as he crossed the finish line in Lahti on Sunday.

24.01.2021, Lahti Finland (FIN):
Alexander Bolshunov (RUS) – FIS world cup cross-country, 4x10km men, Lahti (FIN). www.nordicfocus.com. © Vianney THIBAUT/NordicFocus. Every downloaded picture is fee-liable.

Down the final straight, Joni Mæki from Finland went wide, closing off a charging Bolshunov – the two were battling for second and third place in the men’s relay. Call it an aggressive move by Mæki or a wise tactical speed check on the incoming Bolshunov, either way, the Russian lost his cool. He swung a pole at the Finn and shortly after crossing the finish line with full steam momentum, he tackled Mæki. The Russian team was disqualified, the Finns took second place, and the podcast had an easy intro.

The takeaway – be kind and be fair when things don’t go your way. And also, we are thankful you are here to listen.