Russian insider claims the level has never been higher, and several skiers may now be ready for the Olympics – among them a 19-year-old referred to as “the new Johaug.”

On Friday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed that athletes from Russia and Belarus will be allowed to participate in the 2026 Olympics under the same conditions as in the 2024 Paris Olympics. This has given a boost to the Russian cross-country skiing community.

Also Read – IOC: Russians and Belarusians allowed to compete under neutral flag at 2026 Milano-Cortina

What is happening with Russian skiing?

The athletes who previously dominated international skiing until the spring of 2022 are now entering their fourth season outside the World Cup. However, according to sources within Russian skiing, the scene is nevertheless thriving, and the level is reportedly higher than ever.

In a rare interview with the podcast Skirious Problems, featuring skiers Mika Vermeulen and James Clugnet, Russian skier Sergei Volkov explains what has happened in Russian skiing since February 2022 and where they stand now.

“It is important that you know,” says Volkov.

The 24-year-old reveals who is still strong and which considerable talents are emerging, including a 19-year-old nicknamed “the new Therese Johaug,” and a young skier who dominated the national cup and pushed Bolshunov down to third place overall. More on that further down.

“Would have taken gold at the World Championships”

In the podcast, Volkov says he is convinced that Klæbo would not have won six gold medals at the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim if the Russians had been there. Some of them may therefore show up at the 2026 Olympics.

That means a great deal for Russian skiing, even though the criteria for qualifying for neutral status are stringent.

“The main goal for everyone is the Olympics. Everyone tries to think positively and believe in the Olympics, because when you have a goal, it is easier to train and get stronger,” says Volkov.

Are there any Russians who will meet the criteria for neutral status?

“Yes, there are some, and they are athletes who are extremely good and could have competed at the World Cup level. I cannot mention names, because some of those in the military would get very angry with me,” says Volkov.

“But the answer is that there are some extremely strong Russians who could gain neutral status.”

An ace up the sleeve

If Russian skiers are allowed to start at the Olympics, Volkov is convinced they will give both Norwegian and international stars a brutal fight for the medals.

He also sees some “advantages” in the best Russians not having participated in the World Cup in recent years.

“Previously, the best skiers spent most of the season on the World Cup circuit, meaning the second-best hardly ever competed against them. However, in the last three seasons, since Russia was excluded, all the best have competed in the Russian Cup every weekend, everyone races in the Russian Championships, and everyone does everything. That raises the level of all the national skiers,” says Volkov.

“You can peak your form for the Russian Championships and really prove you are the best. And since everyone who wants to can enter the championships, you can work specifically towards it with your coach, knowing you have the chance to beat Bolshunov, Ustiugov, Terentev, and Ardashev. The same goes for the women,” he adds.

“Besides, we now have prize money in the Russian Cup. That motivates.”

Lower international level

Volkov also believes that the absence of the Russians has been detrimental to the level of international skiing.

“I am not saying anything about the exclusion itself. However, I believe it has not been beneficial for the development of cross-country skiing. Before, two nations were fighting for victory; now there is only one,” he says.

Volkov also points out that the Russian racing style is different and makes competitions more exciting.

“The Russian skiers don’t think too much during races, and they are not always so good at pacing themselves. When the starting gun goes off, they go full throttle. Then it blows up, and the win is wide open. Without the Russians, it has become much more tactical, and especially the Norwegians are good at racing smart,” he says.

Bolshunov and Terenteva are solid, but being chased

According to Volkov, Alexander Bolshunov, the 2022 Olympic champion, remains the biggest star. But he is being chased harder and harder.

“Last winter, Bolshunov won 23 races in a row, and many believe he dominated completely. I disagree. In some races, he was superior and won by a minute. But throughout the season, there were people very close, and there were several different skiers. So, it was not easy for him to win 23 races in a row,” says Volkov.

Other veterans who still deliver are Sergey Ustiugov and Alexander Terentev. The latter is one of the few who have beaten Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in a World Cup sprint. That was in Ruka in 2021, the last season Russians participated. He also highlights Sergey Ardashev (26) and the young Saveliy Korostelev (21).

Ardashev excelled at the 2020 U23 World Championships, especially in the 15km, where he beat last year’s World Cup overall winner Harald Østberg Amundsen by more than a minute. He also took silver in the 30km.

Korostelev took two golds and one silver at the 2022 Junior World Championships, his last international races before Russia was excluded a week later.

Russian Cup Overall 2024/2025 – Men

1. Saveliy Korostelev, 982 points
2. Sergey Ardashev, 738 points
3. Alexander Bolshunov, 652 points

Nepryaeva x2 and “the new Johaug”

On the women’s side, Natalia Terenteva (formerly Nepryaeva) was in a class of her own in the first season after the exclusion.

She then sat out parts of last season after she and her husband, Alexander Terentev, welcomed their child in September 2024. But only half a year later, she was back, in impressive form.

“Natalia has come back even stronger than she was before,” says Volkov.

“In her last World Cup race, after the 2022 Olympics, she was only two seconds behind Therese Johaug. But now she is even stronger, at a new level. She trains with the men and tries to beat them, and only the very best women can do that.”

But she is also chased by several new young talents. Volkov highlights Terenteva’s younger sister Darya Nepryaeva, who impressed at the 2022 Junior World Championships in Lygna, as well as Veronika Stepanova. Darya Nepryaeva won the Russian Cup last winter by a wide margin. Terenteva finished fifth but did not start competing until after the New Year.

Stepanova became a mother in February and did not compete this season.

“And then there is a whole new generation coming up now. Anastasiya Faleeva (24), Alena Baranova (24), and Alina Pekletsova (19). Pekletsova is one to watch. In Russia, people call her the new Johaug. She is very slim, skis like a machine, and is very strong in distance races,” says Volkov.

Faleeva, by the way, won the sprint at the Russian roller ski championships on Sunday.

Russian Cup Overall 2024/2025 – Women

1. Darya Nepryaeva, 1046 points
2. Ekaterina Smirnova, 897 points
3. Elizaveta Maslakova, 775 points

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