The bronze prize-winner of the recent world championship in snowboarding in parallel slalom was the first-year student of the Volga Academy Elena Boltayeva. The tournament was held in September in New Zealand, from where Elena came to Kazan for a short time to solve all the questions about her studies. We talked to the rising star of the Russian and world snowboard the other day.
About how he entered the Academy
- I entered without exams, as in 2017 I won the Junior Olympics. Why Kazan? I am from Chelyabinsk, but I have been playing for Tatarstan for the last two years, so there were no other options (laughs). When you have decided on which faculty to enroll in, consulted with the Pope. Asked which direction, in his opinion, the coolest. He advised sports management. I agreed without hesitation.
About the team and the Olympics in South Korea.
- I am in the Russian team for the third year. I was on the list for a trip to Pyeongchang, but there were eight candidates for four places. Went strong and experienced. From Tatarstan, I know, were Milena Bykova and Vlad Hadarin.
About how I came to snowboard.
- I started with skiing in Chelyabinsk. But at some point dad offered to go snowboarding. Dad is a great authority for me, although I do not always agree with his opinion, but in most cases I try to do as he advises. In General, I agreed, moved, began to turn out. My disciplines are parallel slalom and giant slalom. During my performance I have repeatedly won the championship of Russia, three times-the Olympics, took 3rd place in the Russian championship, took the bronze in slalom and became the fourth giant slalom in the world championship.
About the performance adult tournaments and the Universiade in Krasnoyarsk 2018
- I'm 16. I have already performed at the European Cup - I became the fourth in the giant slalom there in 2017-since I have been allowed to participate in adult competitions in snowboarding since I was 15. I entered the Academy after graduating from school as an external student-specifically to get to the Universiade. There's a good chance I'll go. But not 100 percent. It is necessary to perform well at the qualifying Cup of Russia.
About the training process and the fact that the snow is different 
- In Chelyabinsk there are no serious ski slopes, we rode there from small hills.  And now I am there very rarely, only if I visit some tournaments, but do not train. There is a good Sviyazhsk hills complex in Kazan, and when I am here, I train on it. But most of the time I spend at the training camp, including abroad. And, for example, now, when there is no snow yet, I am engaged in weightlifting in the halls of the Academy. This is the so-called" dry " preparation. I personally prefer to train abroad. There's snow, trails and even the pits are quite different. And compete and we're right in this snow. But I can't say that I like life in the West so much.
About plans and ambitions
- I want to win the Olympics-2022 in China. I think it's time for that. What's your best score? Alena Zavarzina has the third place. But it doesn't bother me at all. I'm not steeper than current leaders, but a different purpose than I have. No "enter the winners". Only victory! To do this, you need to train a lot and listen to the coach.
About studying
- It is hard to study, because all the time almost at the training camp. It will be necessary to practice distance learning. Session I have not yet been, but has already been on the verge of departure. Forgot to write a statement, went to the training camp, and the Academy lost me. I've been studying like this all my life - in between training camps and tournaments. For the first time for so long as now, sat behind the Desk. When I finish high school and leave the sport, I will make a career in the field of sports management and become a Minister.  
About lifestyle
- Yes, I heard that snowboarders differ from other athletes in a special lifestyle and easy attitude to competitions, etc. And I agree with this: everything in life should be simple and easy! And dad sometimes doesn't like me for being not so frivolous, but for being too simple. I don't think we should complicate things. We actually take the case seriously when it's really worth it, but try not to transfer this attitude to everything. You can burn.