After the ski brands' boycott – Russian skiers buy skis in shops

The International Ski Federation, Fis, has made it easier for Russian skiers to get neutral status ahead of the season.

A dozen Russians have already received the go-ahead for the World Cup premiere in Finnish Ruka at the end of November. And more may be added as all applications have not yet been reviewed.

While Fis has eased the restrictions, several sponsors and ski brands continue to boycott the skiers. Something that worsens their sporting chances, according to national team coach Jegor Sorin.

- It has definitely become more difficult to work. If we are talking about skis in particular, we cannot manufacture skis in Russia at the same level as the brands used around the world, says Sorin during an interview with SVT Sport in Ramsau, Austria.

Stepanova mocks Europe - shows off the ski load

Olympic gold medalist Veronika Stepanova has shown on social media how she returns to Moscow with several ski cases from international brands.

In the post, she mocks Europe with formulations that are close to the Russian propaganda image of a West in decline:

"There is stagnation, decay and despair in Europe, and most importantly, there is no snow. We took the Europeans' last skis – they are still wasting them."

In the post, she also addresses the Olympic champion and double world champion Sergej Ustiugov:

"We brought you some skis too. Now you don't even have to go anywhere."

Bolshunov's trainer: The manufacturers continue to support us

Yegor Sorin and Yuri Borodavko each coach a group in the Russian cross-country team. Borodavko is also present in Ramsau with his skaters, including Aleksandr Bolshunov, but neither the coach nor Bolshunov wants to appear for an interview with SVT.

However, in an interview with Russian newspaper Vedomosti last February, Borodavko said that some European ski manufacturers were still supplying skis to the Russian team.

"They continue to support us – although, understandably, not to the same extent as before we were suspended. They still supply us with a certain base number of skis each year, in the hope that our athletes will remain true to their brand when we return to international competition."

SVT Sport has contacted the ski brands Swix, Fischer, Salomon and Rossignol for a comment.