At the FosAgro Russian Championship held on March 4, 2025, Olympic champion Sergei Ustugov found himself at the center of controversy during his semi-final sprint race against three-time Olympic champion Alexander Bolshunov. The event took place in Kazan, where tensions rose as Bolshunov made contact by cutting aggressively across Ustugov's lane, prompting Ustugov to react by waving his stick at Bolshunov. Despite the incident, Ustugov proceeded to win the sprint final.
Ustugov shared his thoughts during the broadcast on Match TV, addressing the moments leading up to his decision to wave his stick. “I understood if I didn't say anything, he would continue to act this way,” Ustugov expressed. His frustration stemmed from prior experiences where Bolshunov's actions affected his race, illustrating the competitive tensions between the two athletes. Ustugov also reflected on his performance, noting he felt well-prepared for the sprint but experienced some anxiety before the final, even resorting to smelling ammonia to manage his nerves. He credited his coach, Markus Cramer, for his support and guidance throughout the training process.
Meanwhile, the men’s sprint race results featured Ustugov taking gold, with Vladislav Osipov finishing close behind at +0.75 seconds and Savely Korostelev securing the bronze at +1.44 seconds.
On the women’s side, Natalia Terentieva emerged victorious, followed by Anastasia Kirillova and Alena Baranova. The race, which was marred by controversy, saw Kirillova accidentally skiing on Baranova's skis during the final stretch. The incident led to subsequent outrage when officials disqualified Kirillova, moving her from second to sixth place, which sparked criticism from various quarters.
Dmitry Guberniev, the commentator for Match TV, openly criticized the organizational failures of the Russian Ski Racing Federation (FLGR) following these events. “The organizers did not communicate information to anyone. If it weren't for Turyshev, we would have congratulated Kirillova on her silver medal, only to later find out she had been disqualified,” Guberniev remarked, calling out the apparent bias present within the judging decisions, particularly favoring some athletes over others. He highlighted past instances where Bolshunov was not penalized for similar infractions, stressing the need for fairness and consistency within the sport.
Guberniev's frustration about the lack of transparency extended to how journalists were not informed about the outcomes until the ceremony concluded, stating, “It’s difficult to represent sports when the federation shows so little regard for the media and public.” His comments not only encapsulated the dissatisfaction with the event’s management but also hinted at broader issues within the federation's operations.
On the prospect of leadership changes, Guberniev hinted at embarking on a campaign for the FLGR presidency. “We need to put an end to the disarray caused by the FLGR. I seriously contemplate launching my candidacy for president. If elected, I will make our skiing both professional and polished within three days,” he pledged passionately, aiming to overhaul the current state of Russian skiing.
The competitive program at the championship is set to continue, with men's and women's free style races planned over 10 km on March 6. Live broadcasts of the events will be available on the Match TV and Match! Arena channels, fostering excitement among fans and followers of the sport.
While Ustugov's achievements spotlight his skill and resilience, the criticism surrounding the FLGR and the controversies faced during the races highlight significant challenges within the sport of skiing in Russia. Moving forward, how the federation addresses these criticisms and organizes future events will be under close scrutiny as athletes and spectators alike hope for greater professionalism and integrity.