Ermil Vokuev is considered one of the best Russian long distance skiers. He represents Russian Winter Team and has already achieved two wins, three third and three fourth places at the Visma Ski Classics circuit.

The most memorable race is Marcialonga in 2021, Ermil was behind the leading group but made a brilliant spurt on the final part of La Cascata and came out on the top. Unfortunately, there was not enough to hold on and save the first place. The Russian became third, but it was an outstanding performance.

Vokuev was born in a small village called Gam, with only 514 inhabitants, located in the Komi Republic, some 4.500 km from Moscow. Many talented skiers are Komi-natives: 4-times Olympic champion Raisa Smetanina, the Rotchevs family, Olympic and World medalist Yulia Stupak (Belorukova) and now staring at the Russian National Team.

Ermil also tried to get into the National Team and take part in the World Cup and other tournaments for traditional skiers. He used to be selected through the Eastern Europe Cup and provides a personal quota to Tour de Ski, but the challenge to compete at the main international tournaments had been never achieved.

So, Vokuev found a brilliant chanсe in the Visma Ski Classics circuit. He debuted on Jizerská Padesátka in 2017 and became fourth on the first try. In 2020 he joined the Russian Winter Team. Ermil’s first podium came only in 2021, but it was a win: the Russian conquered La Venosta. Here are his best Pro Tour results:

·         1^st – La Venosta 2020 and Toblach Cortina 2021

·         3^rd – Marcialonga 2021, Jizerská Padesátka 2021 and Vasaloppet 2021

·         4^th – Jizerská Padesátka 2017, Kaiser Maximilian Lauf 2018 and Birkebeinerrennet 2018

Five more times he made a top-10 finish. Vokuev is a universal skier and molded for the Pro Tour – besides his perfect classic technique, he is sharp enough at the finish line and intermediate sprints. In 2014 he became a national champion in sprint race – in front of Ustiugov, Panzhinskiy, Retivykh, Petukhov, and other talented Russian sprinters. Also, he is the Visma Ski Classics Climb reigning champion.

The Visma Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XII starts tomorrow. Vokuev continues to run for Russian Winter Team and has already begun the competition season. He took part at FIS events in Eastern Russia – Vershina Tea and Syktyvkar. He was third in sprint freestyle, first and second – in 10 km classic race, and 6^th – in 15 km freestyle.

The Russian Winter Team skiers were preparing in Imatra, Finland for the first Pro Tour race. The athletes were very excited by this training camp due to very unusual activities – not only skiing.

“Training days at any camp are similar to each other, but today they made small additions. Our Finnish friends and the Imatra municipality decided to make a film about our training camp. Having filmed a lot of footage on the ski trail, the gym, and our cottages. We were invited to the floating Finnish sauna, where a team of guys introduced us to a new kind of relaxation, floating on the Vuoksi River in dry suits. Swim in December at minus 20,” wrote the Team on Instagram.

Russian Winter Team 2021 will be represented by Vokuev, Maxim Vylegzhanin, Alexander Grebenko, Andrey Kuznetsov, and Alexey Shemyakin from the men’s side and by Dina Nekrasova, Olga Tsareva, and Elizaveta Shalaboda from the women’s side. Last year the Russians were 4^th at the team standings – now they want to improve the result and jump into top-3. It can be possible with such good skiers.