The leader of the Russian ski jumping team, main
sensation of the season Dmitry Vasiliev talked to
Sport Express.
Dmitry Vasiliev Photo
REUTERS
The achievements of the Russian
national team in general and our leader in particular
let us think this winter became the best in the
history of Russian ski jumping sport.
"I am very happy that I managed to get into
the top six ski jumpers of the World Cup campaign,"
said Vasiliev. "I had to work very hard to
have such a fruitful display. And now coaches and
supporters congratulate me."
"The coming year is an Olympic year. And it
is no secret for anybody that all sportsmen want
to become Olympic champions. I am not an exception
and hope to fulfil my dream."
"This season I won eight medals at the World
Cup stages. The most memorable of them was the first
one, that I won at the Four Hills Tour [Oberstdorf,
29 December]."
"But in general I liked ski flying tournaments
most of all. And I am pleased that I performed well
there. Flight is longer than jump and you get enormous
pleasure from it."
"You fly like a bird, get more adrenalin, you
feel choky. In one word the feelings and emotions
are quite different."
"I have got two silver and six bronze medals
this year. I think everything is good in its season
and moreover there is a proverb – the longer you
ascent the summit the longer you stay there. I hope
it will happen right this way and I will have victories."
"There are many jumpers in Russia but there
is a problem: not a single spring complied with
international standards."
"That is why it is too difficult for our young
jumpers to compete with their counterparts from
abroad. In Russia they look quite good but outside
the country cannot show themselves."
"The conclusion is the following: until there
are no good springs in Russia our there are will
be few or no reserves at all."
"But this year our team has definitely improved.
Our results prove it: never before has the Russian
team won medals in ski flying."
