During the recent reporting and election conference of the Russian ski racing Federation from the President of this organization Elena Vyalbe, re-elected by delegates for a new four-year term, a lot of flattering words were heard about the state of Affairs in this sport in the country. Elena Valerievna also noted the important role in the recent success of our skiers (including the graduate of our University Andrey Larkov) of the Volga region Academy.
- The Federation is discussing the results of the four-year cycle in ski racing and plans for the next Olympic cycle in the Volga region Academy. Is this, in your opinion, some kind of symbolic sign? - question to Elena Vyalbe.
= We have historically, we often conduct field and the bureaux of the conference. The previous one was hosted by the Yalta-Zai center, and then everything was at the highest level. This time, Tyumen and Khanty-Mansiysk were ready to receive us. But when Tatarstan announced that the conference would be held on the territory of the Academy, two other regions immediately said that they would give this right to Kazan. And it is objective-I already saw all here and all delighted. I come here often, and now I live here – and everything is just perfect!
- How do you see the interaction between the Academy and the Federation?
- We have here athletes study. And we don't want them, having finished with the sport, disappeared from sight. We need specialists who understand our sport, we need science, medicine. We have good contacts with the Academy, and many people go to the Universiade from here. We do not have many such universities with whom we work so closely.
- How do you assess the prospects of cooperation between the Academy and the Federation in the scientific field?
- Again, I often come here, including at scientific conferences. The last time in Yalta-Zai, which were the guys and the Academy. And they told how they test athletes. And many coaches are interested. And the coaches of the team too. The level is actually very high.
- Do you hope that the Volga region Academy will help you in developing new methods of training with a serious scientific base?
- I'm far from science people, but, if athletes available, as were testing me what I could become, leadership qualities... It's very interesting. We do not have sports psychologists, as such. You know, it is very difficult to make a breakthrough in sports science. I wouldn't say we're skidding somewhere behind everyone. In terms of innovation ... I am 80 % of the time close to the team, and comparing us with Norwegians, Germans, and anyone, I would not say that in something inferior.
- I can't help asking you about Andrei Larkov, was his performance in South Korea a surprise for you in a situation when many leaders were unable to go to the Olympic games?
- I can only say that he was absolutely worthy of this team.  And I would definitely perform at these games in any line-up. At what distances, no one can say. But I'm happy with him at the right moment, something happened what I was always waiting for. There was always uncertainty in him. I know how he works, his efficiency, his capabilities. But at crucial moments he passed. And just 50-kilometer distance showed him that his capabilities are much more. He had faith in himself. He's a good relay player, by the way, which is very important. I'm talking about him as a very high-class athlete. Now in ski racing competition in men is very serious. There is no such gap, as have women, when the first from the second in minute or 1.5. The men have the first 30 and you will not know who will be on the pedestal. And Stalls-one of those who has the full right to be among them.
- How do you feel about the practice of studying in universities of athletes of extra class?
- I always tell the athletes that life in the race is not over. If there is an opportunity to get higher education in parallel, it can be the next step. You can't race all your life, we are not chess players and not shooters. And even they sooner or later think about leaving and finding their niche. And when you are on the wave, and there are people who can help, and when you are studying at a sports University, which suggests that in the future you will work in the same field... the biggest thing you have is practice, work at the highest level, but if there is an opportunity, without leaving the cash register, to get everything-it's right!