Interview with Ivan Babikov: "We had few very good races."

Info: Weitere Sportlerinterviews und Terminplan
Autor: Patrick Chojnowski, Johann Reinhardt

The Russian born Canadian Ivan Baikov is the second cross-country skier of this weekend interviewed by LiVE-Wintersport.(Tomorrow this series ends by an interview with Aino-Kaisa Saarinen.) With the russian relay he had won his unique world cup race until now before he changed his nationality and won the final climb at the tour de ski 2008/2009. About this success, the Olympics 2010 in Vancouver and his preparation for the next season Ivan Babikov talks to LiVE-Wintersport.

Interview auf Deutsch | Interview in English

Which experiences did you have at the Olympic Games in Vancouver in your competitions?
The Vancouver Olympic Games were a very exciting time for all in our team. And I got a great personal experience. Each Olympic Games are different and unforgettable, and the 2010 Olympic Games were special for the Canadian skiers. We had few very good races.

Which impression did you have of the Olympic Village?
The Olympic Village was pretty cool, in my opinion the organization and transportation were very well organized. The food was pretty good, too.

How did it feel starting in front of the home crowd at the Olympics?
I'll never forget that feeling, it was so many people cheering for us that personally know us, our friends and family members; it definitely gave us some extra strength.

Which goals do you have for the next season?
For now it's to stay healthy during most of the season and most important during the World Championship in Oslo.

What does your training consist of in summer and autumn before the first world cup competitions start?
Nothing special, just normal cross-country ski training, running, biking and rollerskiing.

Did you test something new in training or did you change your training somehow? The Olympic season is finished and a new four year-cycle has begun.
I always try to test something new in training and try to work on my weak sides, for example now I'm working on my double polling technique and power.

You were born in Russia and were a Russian citizen until 2003. Why do you live in Canada since then?
All my family moved to Canada in 2003, and we love it here, it’s our home now.

Nevertheless you were starting for the Russian team. Where did you train, did you train alone and how did the training conditions look like?
I lived and trained in Syktyvkar, it's the North-West of Russia in Komi Republic. The conditions were pretty good; they have there a pretty good Nordic Center with Roller ski loop and lots of running trails.

You won the final climb at the tour de ski 2008/2009 and reached the fastest time of all competitors. Have you done any special training for this success?
Not really, it's just that I always feel pretty strong climbing, doesn't matter if it's run, bike or skiing.

What happened that you started cross-country skiing?
I started going to the ski school when I was 9 years old, the reason why I went there pretty simple, those guys was playing a lot of soccer in the summer, and I love soccer. :) But after couple of years skiing I realize that I love skiing too and just kept training.

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