Natalia Nepryaeva has had a fantastic season. In January, a 26-year-old Russian woman became our first skier to win the Tour de Ski. In February, she won three medals at the Olympic Games in Beijing — bronze in the team sprint with Yulia Stupak, silver in skiathlon and gold in the relay. Finally, in March, Yuri Borodavko's ward prematurely guaranteed victory in the overall World Cup standings. And this despite the fact that the Russian national team was forced to skip the last three stages. Throughout the golden season, Nepryaeva did not give big interviews. To fix this, we met in Rybinsk. After the Deminsky Marathon. Where she won another victory — at 50 km.
Popularity
— What do you want most now?
— To rest after the "fifty kopecks". And if globally — continue to run races. I feel quite well. Plus, there is some incredible support in Russia. You feel: they love you here. It adds motivation. I'm already performing for fun. Although I don't want to lose in Russia either.
— Is the atmosphere at the Deminsky Marathon a shock? They didn't give you a pass. Spontaneous photo shoots for an hour.
— It's insanely pleasant! That's cool! But at the same time it is very difficult. I was actually not given a pass in Rybinsk. I couldn't even cross normally. Go to the start! To the dining room! I try not to refuse, but sometimes I have to. You can understand me too: I need to have at least some time for myself, for training. Here I am running to the start, and people are slowing down: "Can I take a picture?" And what should I do, quit the race — and take pictures with everyone? This is also wrong. Not all people understand this, someone is offended. As a result, you have to be torn between your interests and the fans who are my
— Are you comfortable in the new realities? Or is it better to be like five years ago, when even victories were not particularly noticed?
— Periods. That's when I want to do a workout or tune in to a race, I want no one to recognize me. And the rest of the time — yes, it's cool. I am happy for our sport, for myself. How can you not want this?
Before the Tour de Ski, everything was going topsy—turvy
- Lately, have you ever caught yourself thinking: "Damn, how did I do it?"? You have a golden hat-trick: "Tour de Ski", Olympic victory and "Globe".
— There was definitely no such thing that I myself was blown away by what was happening. I was preparing for this. And, I'm not afraid of this word, I was delirious with such results. Now, after the goals are realized, something like this is in my head: "Yes! Yes, baby! I did it."
— I remember well how I came to the World Cup stage in Lillehammer in early December — and nothing worked out for you at that part of the season.
— It was. The first three or four stages were tumbling. Up to the "Tour de Ski". I didn't even qualify in sprints! I sat after the race and just wondered: "Why is that? We have done such a job ..." Yuri Viktorovich reassured. He said that we accelerate at the expense of racing. I kind of subconsciously understood this, but the results made me very nervous. Well, not in shape yet. But not that much!
— In Norway, even a wart is not enough
— Has the multi-day event become a turning point in the season?
— Absolutely. And I was sick there.
— You even wanted to shoot.
- yes! I thought: well, where to? My throat hurt. Sanya Legkov also influenced. As usual, I started to remember: "Yes, I had that too.".. And he has such an approach to all stories. (Laughs.) Whatever you tell me, this happened once in his career. In general, he cheered me up. I went to the classic race with absolute indifference. What will happen will happen. And then I start and I understand: it's fine. I run on: yes, it's generally good! I was surprised myself how, despite my illness, I won races. As Yuri Viktorovich said, due to the races, the form began to come.
Beijing
— Olympic Games. Were you released immediately after skiathlon? After all, at least personal silver was in his pocket.
— Indeed, my soul has become much calmer. The main goal after that was the relay race. Each of the four of us especially counted on her. We all understood that this was the most important race of the season. Or maybe not in season.
Although I tuned in to everything. And here on the cutting of classics, probably even too much. Burned out. I couldn't cope with my nerves and emotions. And that fourth place — it took away a lot of emotions. I was absolutely devastated for several days.
— Did you expect to win in the cutting?
— At least a medal.
— The relay race in Beijing is the most exciting thing in your career in terms of emotions?
— We became Olympic champions — of course! It was something incredible. Yes, everything was clear from our behavior at the finish. Although I was happy about my personal medal to tears.
— What happened at the marathon? You still haven't told me why you got off.
— Actually, I was just burned out. I ran all the races. That's it! The body gave the last emotional outburst to the team sprint. Then — everything. After that, there was nothing left in me. Now I understand: it would be more correct to tell the coaches right away — and it's better to put another girl. On the other hand, I wanted to take a chance. What if it goes? Before the skiathlon, I also felt bad, but I was able to show the result. These are mountains, difficult weather, everything is so unpredictable there. As a result, it did not come from the word "at all".
— Didn't it seem strange that the men were reduced from 50 to 28 km with pennies, and you, despite the similar weather, were left with 30?
— Oh, and that's how it usually happens. Unfortunately.
It was really unsafe in Norway
— You have said more than once that you are very upset about the end of the World Cup. Do I understand correctly that you are especially upset about your sister? Daria , after winning the World Youth Championship , was supposed to perform in D
— Yeah.
— Demino, with his warm welcome and positive emotions, greatly blocked everything. Already here we discussed what was happening with the guys and came to the conclusion that even if we were allowed to go to the start, it would not be safe.
- why?
— Because of the behavior of some local scumbags.
"What did they do?"
— They approached the hotel almost with threats. They were shouting something. You think, "Get out of here, huh?" Well, it was really scary. And imagine — Holmenkollen. There's always a live corridor of fans. From drunken fans! And Drammen is an urban sprint. Even if we were allowed to escape, hardly anyone would take the risk. I emphasize that not everyone behaves inappropriately. Most are normal people. But even if three out of a hundred had started something, the consequences could have been extremely unpleasant. We met really angry and aggressive people.
— Did it start in Norway or in Finland?
— There were unpleasant moments in Finland, too. You look out of the window from the hotel — and there are some m circling
A large crystal globe
— Would you be very upset if you didn't win the World Cup because of missing three stages?
— Honestly? Sure. Very. As soon as we were suspended, I had all my thoughts about it. This uncertainty was unnerving. Everything depended on whether there would be a World Cup final.
— It's good that the FIS are buggers. We couldn't find a place for him.
— I would not say that they are stupid. In such a short time, it is really difficult to find a place where it would be possible to organize everything from scratch. People start preparing for a year. And on the contrary, I want to thank FIS. They were in favor of our admission to the last. It's just that under the pressure of other countries, they don't have much choice anymore.
— Are you thinking about the next season? After all, there is still a complete fog.
— A difficult question. It's hard to talk because everything changes very quickly. For now, I'm concentrating on getting through this season with good emotions. Then we'll start preparing for the next one. Almost certainly in Russia. And for me it's even a plus. I like it here. Ma
