For a circle to the finish Zavyalova led a quartet of fugitives. It was fitting to run out onto the track and warn Olga: “Do not rush! The whole struggle is ahead. Why are you exhausting yourself and getting tired! ”Not anyone was breathing behind, but Olympic champions Czech Katerina Neumannova and German Eve Zahenbacher-Stelle, Norwegian world champion Kristin Steyra. All are experienced skiers who perform superbly this season.
And what about Zavyalova? Twice was in prize-winners: at the cup stages in Oberstdorf and Davos. Strictly speaking, after outstanding success at the 2003 World Cup, Olga did not shine. At the Olympics in Turin, she did not even qualify for the relay. Then many journalists reasonably noticed that the time Zavyalova inexorably leaves. Here are just young people in no hurry to oust the veterans. Apparently not yet matured ...
I also wanted to restrain Olga’s impulse two and a half kilometers from the finish line because the young and ambitious Alexander Legkov did not calculate strength on the eve of exactly the same situation as the male duathlon. The peloton rushed to lead, which after a kilometer ruthlessly overtook him, ate it and did not even choke. The Russian, who accepted the weight of the leadership burden, was tired and was left without a medal. How did not want to repeat the sad story!
But time passed, and Zavyalova was still the leader. Moreover, her move was confident, sweeping and easy. Where did the strength come from ?! Before the race, Olga was primarily concerned about the classic part of the race. Fight with such monsters as Marit Bjorgen, Christina Schmigun, Virpi Kuytunen, almost unrealistic. They are objectively stronger. The calculation was simple: cling to leaders and stay in a common group. How much strength is enough.
As it turned out later, forces were enough for a long time. Excellent skiing, physical condition was excellent, and paper favorites were gradually eliminated. Servants Bjorgen did not guess with ski grease. Kuitunen left too much power in the sprint. Shmigun was not able to reach the peak of form ...
Zavyalova walked at her own pace, did not rush forward, betting on her favorite skating stage. But fears about competitors have not disappeared. Sachenbacher and Steira are excellent finishers, and Neumannova is the smartest strategist. Plus, the Czech won everything that is possible at the cup stage in Changchun, the last before the World Cup. Katerina hid behind Zavyalova and made her first attempt to break away on the final climb. But the Russian woman in time blocked her corridor. There was also a narrow route to help, on which a day earlier, more than once, blockages occurred in men. On the descent in front of the stadium, Neumannova again accelerated. However, this time Olga was on the alert.
Everything was decided at the finish line. Neumannova or Zavyalova? They say psychologically easier to catch up. There is a review, a competitor’s move is visible. On Saturday, German Axel Teichmann ahead of compatriot Tobias Angerer, powerfully rolling in the last meters. But this is a theory. In fact, the winner is the one who is better prepared. Today Zavyalova was stronger than everyone. And what is especially nice is stronger than Neumannova, who deprived Olympic gold in the 30 km memorial race by skating Yulia Chepalova. Victorious emotions beat Olga over the edge. She shone with happiness, hugged with her friends, carefully packed her skis, looked with the look of the coaches ...
I wonder what was in the soul of the Olympic champion Alexei Prokurorov, who led the women's team for the first year? He was so worried about youth, in spite of public opinion he trusted veterans and asked to wait a bit with reproaches. Until the World Cup. And such a success! In one of the most prestigious races ...
Pessimism aside! Russian skis are alive. Proved by Olga Zavyalova, Vasily Rochev, Nikolai Morilov ... Who is next?