Alice Zhambalova

The story of the opening of the "Tour de Ski" — Alice Zhambalova.

In addition to the triumph of Alexander Bolshunov and the return of Yulia Stupak at the multi-day Tour de Ski, another significant event for Russia took place. It seems that a new extra-class skier has appeared in our country. The 12th place in the overall standings of the "Tour" (and the fourth among Russians) was taken by Alice Zhambalova.

Zhambalova already got into the top 10 in distance races four times during the "Tour". And in principle, if not for the frankly disastrous sprint (she was 53rd and 44th there), she could have stood much higher in the overall standings.

So far, there have been no such significant successes in Alice's career. And Zhambalova has an interesting biography, she comes from a frankly non—ski region - Buryatia, from a village with a population of only about four thousand inhabitants. Think about it: a tiny village against the powerful Tyumen and Khanty-Mansiysk, which support their athletes. How did Zhambalova manage to break through?!. What is behind her success on the "Tour", Alice herself told "SE".

I'm at home only a month a year

I am from Buryatia, from the small village of Sagan-Nur. Our region is absolutely not skiing, we have never had much success. At most, someone grew up to the level of All-Russian competitions, and then went to study. I come from a sports family, mom is my first coach, and dad is the second. But if it wasn't for the support of the village, nothing would have worked out for me.

They helped me with literally everything: with the purchase of equipment, trips to competitions. I didn't feel deprived of anything. And this is crazy luck, words cannot express how grateful I am. Without this support, I would not be able to compete with skiers from Khanty-Mansiysk, Tyumen, Udmurtia, and other large regions...

When I come home, I do not refuse anyone: to come to school for a lesson, to hold a master class at the ski base, to chat with the kids. It's hard, because I'm at home only a month a year. Sagan-Nur is very far away, it is unrealistic to go there during the season or even during the preparation period between training camps. When you're finally on vacation and you get home

I took an English tutor myself and learned the language

I have been training with Markus Kramer for the third year. Before Pyeongchang, I was in Danil Akimov's group, which was subsequently disbanded. We were scattered in other groups, and Elena Valeryevna (Vyalbe. — Approx. "SE") decided that it was better to give me to Marcus.

Honestly, I knew it would be hard. It is always difficult for me to get used to a new coach, to a new regime and methodology. It was the same before in the junior national team, and with Akimov. But with Marcus, the first years were especially difficult. Among other things, there was a problem of the language barrier.

I joined a group with a school level of English. That is, I understood the training task in general, but I could not describe my well-being or ask any specific question. Therefore, I started looking for a teacher through the Internet. This was also not easy: one did not fit into my schedule, the other did not fit the methodology. I didn't want mechanical memorization. And only on the third attempt I found "my" tutor: it's easy for me with him

Bolshunov is closed only with strangers

We have known Sasha Bolshunov and Denis Spitsov for a long time, since the junior team. We qualified for the Pyeongchang Olympics together when we were just starting to perform as adults. I was very happy then for Sasha that he was able to pass the Olympic Games so coolly. And for the other guys, too. They are simple guys, no one turns up their noses.

Sasha behaves with restraint only with strangers. In the team, he is quite open and sociable. There was, however, a period when it closed down a bit. Apparently, he felt responsible that the result went and he is now a clear leader. But Anya (Bolshunov's girlfriend Anna Zherebyatyeva. — Approx. "SE") pulled him out of this state. And now he is perfectly communicating with everyone, as it was with juniors.

Even those who said that there was no need to go to the Olympics without a flag rejoiced at the medals of Pyeongchang

It's not the first time for me to perform in a neutral status — I participated in the Olympic Games in Pyeongchang. I know that a neutral flag is bad. I want your flag to rise after the victories and the anthem to sound. But it's good that we can participate in competitions at least like this.

Before Pyeongchang, the situation was much more nervous than it is now. Many journalists and public figures said: why are you going to perform without a flag, it would be better to refuse! It was very oppressive and instilled internal doubts. I thought, "Maybe I'm really doing something wrong?"

But when our athletes began to climb the podium in Pyeongchang, absolutely everyone was happy. Including those people who said that it was not necessary to go without a flag. Therefore, there is no pressure now before the World Cup, it is obvious to everyone that we need to go. And if we manage to get a medal, everyone will sing our anthem in front of the TV. It doesn't matter that at the ceremony

It is important for me to get into the relay

Initially, at the World Championships, I relied on classical cutting and skiathlon. But after the "Tour", Marcus said to tune in to the next stages of the World Cup, and if everything goes well there, then almost the entire program. Except only sprints, of course.

It will be important for me to get into the relay. There were five of us in Pyeongchang, and I was the fifth, that is, the only one who did not run. But now my condition is completely different. If everything works out and the increase in results continues, then I will greatly help the relay. I will do everything for this.