Aleksandr Bolšunov Competes in Italy – What You Need to Know

Russian cross-country skier and triple Olympic gold medalist Aleksandr Bolšunov is making a comeback in international competition this Thursday in Italy. The 28-year-old athlete will race in the Sudtirol Moonlight Classic, a 30 km contest that is not held under FIS regulations. This marks his first international appearance since March 2022, when Russian cross-country skiers were largely excluded from FIS events following the conflict in Ukraine.

Norwegian TV2 expert Petter Skinstad commented on Bolšunov’s chances, stating that even if he isn’t in his absolute peak state, his exceptional talent should allow him to win the race. The article also notes that Russian national team coaches have attempted to keep details of their training camp in Italy under wraps, adding an element of secrecy to the event.