“I had never seen such an atmosphere before!”

21-year-old Alexander Pashaev had something of a debut season in 2018/19. With first starts in the World Cup and at the World Championships and some impressive jumps on the jumping hill, it was all about gaining experience for the young Russian. In this week’s TUESDAY TALK courtesy of Russian correspondent Anastasia Shuhova, Pashaev recounts his first World Championships, muses on the difficulties of the Nordic Combined sport in Russia and looks ahead to the upcoming Summer Grand Prix.

You can look back on your first World Cup starts in the season of 2018/19. Which event stood out most for you?

Alexander Pashaev: From my debut season, actually the ContinentalCup stage inKlingenthal stood out the most to me. At that day, everything worked out very well. I was in an excellent shape and despite difficult weather conditions, I managed to show good jumps.

And of course, the FIS World Ski Championships in Seefeld were a really memorable moment because I had never seen such an atmosphere before. I also remembered the moment when I was in the lead for a long time. These feelings are indescribable.

As one of the younger athletes in the field, not everybody might know you yet. Describe yourself in three words!

Pashaev: Hmm. I’d say “young, full of potential and stupid” (laughs)

You mentioned your debut at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld (AUT) this winter and the huge numbers of spectators and fantastic atmosphere around the Nordic Combined events. What is your key takeaway from the championships?

Pashaev: I didn't feel any special responsibility or pressure because I understood itwas my first World Championships. The championships also came right after an illness for me. According to some of the more experienced participants, it was the best World Championship in a long time. I think this might be 100 % true because the atmosphere was really,really amazing.

Russia is one of the smaller nations in Nordic Combined. What would you say is the biggest challenge being a Nordic Combined athlete in Russia?

Pashaev: I can’t speak for the other Russian Nordic Combined athletes but there are many difficulties, starting from the lack of some personnel and ending with the approach to“work” by some of us athletes themselves.

For me personally,  a bit struggle is to train at high altitude in the mountains. I have asthma and my body isn’t ready for such a strain. So I haven't as many camps in altitude as I would like.

We have the Summer Grand Prix coming up soon. Do you already know if you will be starting?

Pashaev: I wasn’t sure if I was participating in the upcoming Grand Prix for a long time. The invitation was sent but the leadership of the team of the St. Petersburg Ski Association which I belong to had to look for money for this trip.

In Oberwiesenthal, we will have the first Mixed Team event ever. With Stefaniya Nadymova, your team has one of the best female athletes of the tour. Do you think this event might help to shake up the “usual” order or nations with Germany, Austria and Norway on top a bit?

Pashaev: It’s really hard to make a guess about the list of winners in any event because nobody has competed yet this season. Right now, I can't say anything about anyone’s shape.