Leaders

28Jun 2019 by DS News Team

Natalia Nepryaeva, Part 2: I Live Effing Fantastic Life!

...Here's Part 2 of out conversation with Natalia Nepryaeva. "Conversation" is an instrumental word here - it was part interview, part open talk about the skiing world and those who live & compete in it. As most open conversations, it kinda lacked that structural rigidity expected of formal interview, was going back and forth on several subjects. Anyhow, it was fun and here's a gist of it : [caption id="attachment_11975" align="alignnone" width="1920"] I live effing fantastic life! ( for the Russian language experts among you - Natalia is using the word "охренненная" in her native tongue - effing is the best translation we could come up with ))) . I do like the popularity that comes with victories, I do like that growing attention to myself. And it's not…

27Jun 2019 by DS News Team

XC Skiing Massively Lucked Out With Klaebo Brothers

Leaders, Newsfeed

Yes, it did. In today's world, to be a champion in whatever sport is desperately not enough. Having a shy, reserved, introvert champion is detrimental to that sport's effort to stay in the media limelight and to attract investments/sponsorships. The august sport of cross country skiing has been lucky - its biggest star is also a true international fashion icon on the rise. But the king is made by his entourage. It looks like Ola Klaebo sacrificied his potential illustrious skiing career (his older brother's assessment) in order to help build Brand Klaebo. Talented families are often talented in many ways - Klaebo YouTube channel run by Ola is a great example of how so much could be achieved with so little investment ( but a lot of effort). Johannes…

25Jun 2019 by DS News Team

Natalia Nepryaeva: My Job Is To Force Myself To Do Things I Don’t Want To Do

Leaders, Newsfeed

" Natalia's got quite a character". That's what you would hear a lot about the leader of the Russian ski team no matter who you talk to. Nepryaeva could be vocal, could be demanding on her teammates/staff, could be all too concentrated on her race to even smile back at the stranger's greetings. What a few know is that under that tough appearance is actually a fascinating human being: smart, well read, articulate and very, very focused on her goals. You just have to find the right moment to approach her... ....First things first, in a preamble to the interview, a 23 year old Russian Olympic and world medalist and a runner-up for the title of the World Cup winner 2018/19 sets the limits: " I don't want to talk…

24Jun 2019 by DS News Team

Italy Wins Right To Host 2026 Olympics, XC Skiing To Be Held In Val Di Fiemme

Leaders, Newsfeed

So, the best candidate prevailed. Italy gets the Olympics of 2026 and the cross country skiing races will take place at the Lago di Tesero Ski Stadium, Val di Fiemme From the official presentation of the Italian bid: "The choice of this venue is clearly justified by the amazing track record in hosting major events (including three world championships and a Winter Universiade) and in being one of the most versatile tracks at world level. An already perfectly-fitted and operated venue will be one of the major factors of attraction, with a capacity that is expected to welcome 30,000 people. The existing lighting system will also allow hosting night races" It's worth mentioning that one of the reasons the Swedish Olympic bid lost was " the lack of binding venue…

22Jun 2019 by DS News Team

Love Thy Fan

Gear News, Leaders, Newsfeed

A short spontaneous meeting. A simple gesture. No, we don't know his name or his story. It's just a moment the lense caught in a short pause between races. And she was in a hurry. Yet she stopped and talked and listened. As any great athlete meeting her/his fan should. ... We know, we observe two types of athletes: those who do understand and do act like Therese on this photo did. Those are many, a majority - and we are always happy to take and share the pictures of fans' joy from interacting with their hero. Yet there is minority who don't. Either they are too concentrated on the next race or simply too are tired - but they run away as fast as they can immediately after their…

Category: Leaders