Russian skier Terentiev reached the semi-finals of the team sprint at the 2022 Olympics: Russia barely made it to the final
The Russian team was on the verge of relegation in the team sprint. All because of an unfortunate fall
In the finals, Bolshunov and Terentiev made their way only as lucky losers.
From the men’s team sprint “classic” Russian fans expect gold. Indeed, among our wards in Beijing, outstanding results are even close to the men’s relay, which has not happened among skiers for more than 40 years. However, the fight for the medals of Alexander Bolshunov and Alexander Terentiev almost ended ahead of schedule.
Today’s outcomes were supposed to start a little later, but the start had to be moved due to the complex texture. However, it didn’t help much – the temperature on the track is about 15 degrees of frost, which is felt and encountered as -21.
Two Alexanders – Bolshunov and Terentyev – were reported from Russia today, who are already expected to receive Olympic medals in 2022. Bolshunov won two golds and a silver, Terentiev became a quarter in the sprint individual race. Of course, the Russians were not the clear favorites of this race. However, our skiers have already created so many miracles in Beijing that today I wanted to see something again.
The first semi-final did not bring sensations – the usual ski leaders (Norway, France, Finland, Canada) calmly went on.
The Russians started in the second semi-final, where at first they chose a fairly average pace. Bolshunov and Terentiev cruised between the first and fourth lines, everything went according to plan. it turned out that our skiers have a great physical reserve, it became known that the economic strength before the decisive final. But, as expected, it will also reach the final very soon.
Everything was fine until the segment between the fifth and six kilometers: Terentyev suddenly fell and did not rise too quickly, which is why our team fell out of the top 6. The fall became especially offensive that almost no one interfered with Alexander at that moment. As luck would have it, the fast-growing group increased dramatically – Russia’s chances of getting into the finals began to rapidly melt away, our team was on the verge of relegation already in the semi-finals. Fortunately, Alexander Bolshunov soon went on the track again, the lesson was a very difficult task.
There was no time for a reduction in strength: the pain rushed forward, persistently and at the same time combined “pushing apart” the bones. The leader of the Russian team managed to catch up with the leaders – he passed the baton to the fifth, the gap from the first line is less than two seconds. Terentiev had to finish the race, who also gave his best. The Russian crossed the finish line along with athletes from Sweden and Austria – all Terentyev entered without hitting the top 4.
Fortunately, Russia still made it to the final – like a lucky loser: our and American skiers completed the race faster than the fifth and sixth teams from the first semi-final. However, due to an unfortunate fall, Terentyeva said that she had to spend a lot of effort. Will there be enough physical condition for the final? Big question. But we continue to believe in the conquest of the Russians – they are ready to take the gold.