Age: 30
Discipline: skiing
Riding experience: pro rider since 2005
Homeland: Smolensk
“Extreme sports are a support for me, skiing is the meaning of life, therefore I am a professional skier ... Freeride, this is the most important part of skiing, an opportunity ... Since skiing is the most important thing for me in life, it turns out freeride is the most important ... In the summer I ski Mountain biking is my second love. Thanks to all this, I am where I am! And some risk makes life completely unusual and often incomprehensible to the crowd ... "
Sponsors:Columbia, Head skis, Giro, ABS, Pieps, Komperdell, Lorpen, Magic Potion,
Pull in, Suunto, Kona, Osiris, Dakine, 661
Movie profiles: Thesis, Excitement, Atmosphere
Competitions / results:
1 – Samara Freestyle tour 2004 Ski cross Samara
1 - Russian Freeride Cup Krasnaya Polyana 2005
1 – Russian Freeride Championship Prielbrusye 2006
1 – Snow Cup Kazan Big air 2007 Kazan
1 — Nike Freemountain Open jibb contest 2007 Krasnaya Polyana
1 — Cup of Sportmaster pyramid highest air 2007 Sorochany
2 – Esc NS Contest 2007 Elbrus region\Big Air
2 - Westcom jibb contest on ski salon\Jibbing 2007
15 — Nissan Freeride World Tour 2008 Krasnaya Polyana\Freeride
5 - Open Nissan Freeride Montafon 2008 Austria \ Freeride
24 - Quest Nissan Freeride Montafon 2008 Austria \ Freeride
5 - Red Bull Powder Kick 2008 Bansko, Bulgaria\ Freeride
2 — Sochi Snow-X-Show Pro 2008\ Freeride
4 – Elbrus Open 2008 Elbrus region \ Freeride
3 — Nissan Newschool contest Flammable camp 2008 Dombay\Big Air
22 - Nissan Freeride World Tour 2008 overall standings for the sum of 4 stages
4 — Vans North Action 2008 Kirovsk\ Jibbing
6 — Red Bull Invitational 2008 Elbrus X-Camp\ Big Air
2-Dombai open 2009 Dombai \ Freeride
4 - Red Bull Powder Kick 2009 Rila Lake, Bulgaria\ Freeride
4 – Elbrus Open 2009 Elbrus region \ Freeride
Mountain bike:
1 - Championship of Smolensk in cross-country 2006
2 - Yuzao Cup on the BMX track 2008, Moscow
2 – Erino open downhill 2010, Podolsk
1 – Just racing downhill 2010, Moscow
2 – Summer KAT downhill stage 4, Moscow
1 – Cup of 7 downhill winds, Novorossiysk
Transformation of the familiar bike into Mountain bike, or, as it is also called, mountain biking, is akin, if not to the evolution of a monkey into a person, then at least one of its most important stages - the appearance of upright walking. The invention, of course, did not change the world, but it revealed extreme character traits in a completely new way in a previously complaisant and a boring bike - vehicle moving from point A to point B.
In the last decades of the twentieth century, the banal "Pedal!" ceased to suit the younger generation. Uncharted lands have already been discovered. Yes, and it is not given to fly into space first. And the process of finding harmony in my own soul has not yet beckoned. Mountain biking captivated those who saw in it a serious sport, incredible extreme sports and a dynamic lifestyle close in spirit.
One of the most successful ... mountain skiers shares his experience and thoughts about mountain biking - mountain biking. Unusual, you say? Yes, the situation looks somewhat paradoxical, but only at first glance. Ivan MAD Malakhov, a 33-year-old talented pro-rider (professional rider), mastered a mountain bike several years ago in the process of rehabilitation after a serious injury, reached impressive success and already in 2011 he won the Russian Championship.
THIS SEASON, IVAN MAD MALAKHOV TAKEN THIRD PLACE AT THE LA CLUSAZ RADIKAL MOUNTAIN TOURNAMENT HELD IN THE FRENCH ALPS, RETURNING RUSSIA TO THE VICTORY PEDESTAL LOST 6 YEARS AGO.
You say that you have two loves in life: skiing and mountain biking. Which one is closer to your heart?
It makes no sense to choose, as skiing and mountain biking complement each other perfectly.
Today we agreed to pay attention to your second sweetheart. How would you like to start our conversation?
To start, a little history. It is believed that the first mountain bikers appeared in the late 1970s in California. Enthusiasts, riding in the mountains, faced not so much difficulties caused by physical overload, but with the need for the most severe exploitation of the “two-wheeled friend” design. This determined the course of action. Bicycles began to be modified: to put straight handlebars, wide and thick tires, change the ratio of gears for the convenience of riding over rough terrain. We needed stronger frames. And away we go.
Demand creates supply. The rapid growth in the popularity of mountain biking happened when manufacturers introduced bikers suspension forks first for the front, and then for rear wheel: they were designed to absorb bumps in the road, for extreme jumps and downhill. As a result, a modern mountain bike is a very complex design that requires fine tuning by a good mechanic. For example, the number of speeds has already reached thirty.
How quickly did mountain biking become officially recognized as a serious sport after popular popularity?
All in all, pretty fast. Already in 1993, mountain biking was included in the program Olympic Games. And in the second decade of the 21st century, every 8 out of 10 bikes sold are mountain bikes. Almost all advanced ski resorts paved trails and built bike parks on their slopes. For many lovers active rest trips to the mountains with a bicycle are becoming more and more common and well-established event.
What usually attracts mountain biking?
For young people, mountain biking is primarily a sports subculture. Entering a brotherhood means potential competition. Let's add a risky lifestyle physical exercise, extreme impressions and, as a result, a certain amount of insanity. And most importantly - your "bike" or "led", which can be endlessly "upgraded". And the stories of experienced ... But, of course, sports are at the heart of it.
But it's not just young people who are into downhill now.
Everyone can ride. It is important to have a clear understanding of the relationship between skill, speed and track. In downhill there are no long descents or steep climbs, as in cross-country, the mood and physical form are important.
Much less important is weight, height and age. It often happens that those who have been friends with a bicycle for a long time become fed up with riding on paved roads or civilized tourism. And going down the mountain is an incredible pleasure! The spirit is breathtaking! Plus, a boyish feeling of freedom, when parents will no longer stop: “It's dangerous and expensive!” In addition, adults are well aware that it is not necessary to become a serious racer. They imagine how all this can end: you can lose more than you gain.
Is an injury always the result of a technical error?
Unfortunately no. There is always a moment of chance. For example, my most serious injury involved being caught in an avalanche that was caused by bystanders. At the same time, if I had been more careful, perhaps the emergency could have been avoided.
You have personally chosen extreme views sports as granting "complete freedom"?
At my level of skating, achieved by years of training, when I go out on the slope, I see like a huge playground where I can draw anything. This is what I call total freedom.
For those who want to become a pro, it is quite difficult. You need marketing support, sponsor support and the ability to promote yourself. What did it mean to you to become a professional?
At the beginning, and this is almost ten years ago, neither I nor my first sponsor knew what we actually wanted to get as a result. It seemed natural for him to provide me with everything I needed, and for me to get expensive equipment. Over time, I learned to interact with sponsors. Now this is my job. My sponsors for skiing are Columbia, Head, Giro, Actioncams.ru, and for cycling - Kona, Dakine, Osiris, Mtbshop.ru.
Being a professional extreme athlete in Russia is an incredible rarity, so now I feel real pride.
With the help of skiing or cycling, you can achieve a lot for yourself outside of the competition. New goals open up and the opportunity to find yourself in unique situations around the world.
What advice do you have for beginner mountain bikers? Where to start?
Intending to buy a mountain bike, many people have vague ideas about its capabilities and often overestimate their own. First of all, a mountain bike is for the mountains. Only there you can get the maximum pleasure from the speed and feeling of flight.
At such a speed and with such super-concentration - when is it time to admire the surrounding views?
I always succeed. In any new area I try to determine the general flavor, see the sights, get to know the local mentality better.
But back to the first steps of the future biker. First, a little about the issue of mundane, but of paramount importance. Modern bicycle for downhill or enduro it costs from 100 thousand rubles, while the upper bar is not limited. For comparison: a cross-country bike costs from 20 thousand (amateur) to 100-150 thousand for the “pro”, but its ability to descend in the mountains is not very impressive. However, this model allows you to ride and have fun on small hills, master basic technique, train the heart and muscle relief.
But if we want not to pedal, but, using the lift, just roll down the mountain along the track, in this case we still need an enduro or downhill bike.
Is cost the determining factor?
Not really. But it is quite understandable the desire to possess "perfection". For example, not only frames made of aluminum and titanium alloys are presented on the market, there are also very expensive carbon frames - the product of the highest technologies. They are the future, I think. But beryllium frames are many times more expensive than all others. I told you that the upper bar is not limited.
What resorts in Russia and Europe, in your opinion, provide the greatest opportunities for cyclists?
Of course, starting training, you don’t want to move too far away from your home. Mountain bike fans in Russia have long run all the existing ski resorts, but, unfortunately, so far we do not have a single full-fledged bike park. Therefore, it is better to ride in the Alps, where all conditions are created for this and the rental of such bicycles is organized right in bike parks. It costs about 80-100 euros per day, and you will be given the necessary protective equipment.
Choose a country according to your preferences and go! The most popular resorts for cyclists are: Morzine (France), Leogang (Austria), Pila (Italy) and many others. Be sure to use all the necessary protective equipment: helmet, gloves, knee pads, elbow pads, body protection. Practice with an instructor, and your skating will be interesting and safe. And we will certainly meet in the mountains!
In my sport, I have to fall a lot, but all that remains is to get up and move on.
Profile:
- 1980 year of birth Freeride Champion of Russia 2006
Champion of Russia in mountain biking / downhill (masters) 2011
2nd place in the ranking of Maxiavalanche Europe Cup mountain bike / enduro (masters) 2013
5th in Freeride World Qualifier 2014 (11 podiums 2013-2014)
Won the Sick Bird nomination at the Subaru Freeride Series in Colorado, USA
Swiss Freeride Champion 2014 (Swiss Freeride Series)
1st place Verbier Freeride Week FWQ3* 2015
1st place Engadinsnow FWQ4* 2015
3rd in Freeride World Qualifier 2015 (two wins)
Participant of Freeride World Tour 2015 and 2016
Professional freerider with many years of experience. Filmed in the films Thesis, Excitement, Atmosphere, Snow Territory, Look, Ride the planet, Book of Mountains 3D. The first freeski rider in Russia included in international team famous ski brand Head.
The general public learned about Ivan's existence only this year, thanks to his filming in the video Adrenalin Rush, in which he ski jumped from a helicopter onto a slope. Moreover, he won the right to shoot a video in the competition for the most extreme stunt. Adrenalin Rush turned to the best and most famous Russian extreme athletes, mountain bike downhill champion, best kayaker and freerider, who were invited to realize their most extreme idea. Filming did not go too smoothly: due to bad weather, the shooting planned in April in North Ossetia did not work out, and as a result, the members of the film crew and Ivan himself had to fly to Kamchatka, where he performed an extremely difficult jump. By the way: the video filmed in Kamchatka has gained more than 4 million views on YouTube.
New level of success
Smolensk nugget
The word nugget fits Ivan exceptionally well. The key part is CAM, because everything that Ivan Malakhov has achieved is exclusively his own merits. The other day I was lucky to chat with him and learn a little more than is possible by reading about the merits on the ski forums.
Do you want to know how a simple guy from Smolensk was able to get to the elite of the world freeride? How much effort it cost him and what he thinks about Russian freeride... Read the interview to the end. For convenience, I divided the interview into several blocks:
Ivan Malakhov about a long road to the mountains ...
Alpine skiing is considered an extremely expensive sport, inaccessible to most Russians. Ivan, please tell us how you, far from a mountain dweller, managed to enter this sport and spend so much time in training before you began to receive sponsorship?
Broad question. Many answers emerge from it. Looking ahead, I will say that a professional skier cannot earn a lot of money. Those. you need to be, probably, some kind of champion, like Sasha Khoroshilov. If I suddenly win the FWT, it will certainly help in working with sponsors. In fact, this is a survival point. Someone is forced to work as a guide, someone, perhaps, rents an apartment ... In general, so as not to work at all, there are probably only two of us - me and Anna Orlova (snowboarder). There is also Anna Khankevich, but she also sometimes works as a guide.
I started skiing in 1996, before that I had been cross-country skiing since childhood. I just rode every day, it cost me nothing. I went to the hills, where there were no lifts. Walked on foot. I had very old free Polish lynx skis super 70, 195 cm long (with a height of 183), then there were skis 200 and even 205 cm. Neva bindings, also some free ones. I bought the first leather shoes with laces for 60 rubles, then there were others. In 1997, I accidentally bought plastic ones for 150 rubles, I rode in them for 5 years. Another thing that I had to buy then was Mladost skis. They cost then 100 rubles, or 20 bucks. But even for me it was feasible.
- Did someone encourage you to go skiing, maybe your parents or friends?
No. It was an independent decision, without anyone's influence.
- I.e. did you go alone, without company?
Not so simple. There was a ski club in Smolensk, which gave impetus to my hobby. The ski club is 50 enthusiasts who have made their own ski lift on a hill without the purpose of making money and just rode there, held slalom competitions, arranged a ski carnival once a year. There was no commercial component on the hill, therefore, as a teenager, he rode for free. Then there were some contributions, but minimal and targeted. This rope tow lift made it possible to make a giant roll forward. Could roll 40-50 times a day.
- But you started on your own, without a coach, a mentor ...
I started by myself. I traveled in a straight line, because of which at first there were conflicts with the leadership of the ski club. He learned to jump from trampolines while still on cross-country skis. In fact, when I arrived on the first day of skiing in 1996 on that hill, I was already the best jumper in Smolensk. He also mastered the technique himself. Once he turned to a man who was considered a teacher on the mountain. He explained the basics to me, showed me a couple of times, but then, when I did something wrong, he said that he would not explain anymore and waved his hand.
- Have you read about skating technique in magazines or books?
Yes, sure. I had a book by Georges Joubert, some 70th, and a book "Lessons in Alpine Skiing" from 1988. In fact, then there was a lack of information, there was no Internet and there were no magazines yet, the first issues of Ski. Skiing” and “Vertical World” came to me in 1997. I went to the Lenin Library in Smolensk, found special literature for the Smolensk Physical Institute. There was even a book on freestyle, books by V.S. Preobrazhensky, L.P. Remizov, Y. Tsenin and some other authorities of the late 70-80s. In general, I studied them all. But the paradox - could not repeat anything from what was described there. I remember that I learned the downhill stance on cross-country skiing from a book, I was able to repeat it, but all sorts of turns ... It seems to me that it is impossible to learn to ride from a book.
The second season mastered the technique adopted in Smolensk. At that time, the avalman technique was considered ideal in our country from the mid-70s ... with almost glued knees and shins. So classic tourist equipment, of course, is significantly different from the modern one. You need to understand that all this happened even before the “carving revolution” and in Smolensk we were in an information vacuum. I mastered this technique perfectly in my youth with a radius of 40m, making fantastic turns on the edges already for the third season. Those. the first season was just driving, the second was mastering the technique, and from the third season there is already video evidence of the ideal technique of the 70s. Will have to find it somehow.
© Alexander Mogilevets
After three seasons of skiing, I realized that when you ride from extreme slopes, the technique of glued legs is not at all convenient. Then I began to master other techniques and quickly somehow they all transformed into a more suitable one for me. But that was long before the big mountains. I really got there only 10 years after getting up on skis.
- You skated so much, didn’t you get bored, didn’t want to quit?
The difference between me and many other skiers my age is that I was not overtrained as a child. Always rode with pleasure, on enthusiasm. It's also funny that I went the way of skiing from the USSR to modern ones. In Smolensk, everything was mothballed. It’s as if I haven’t been skating for 20 years, but all 40.
© Alexander Mogilevets
- When did you go skiing in the mountains for the first time?
It was very funny. I have always had the problem of lack of money. The parents were unable to help. I saved up some money - $300, earned it by industrial mountaineering.
- Excuse me, but how did you get into it?
I did not get into the promalp by accident. In 1999, for the first time, I went to the mountains with Smolensk climbers. It was scary to go to the mountains alone for the first time. Although until the age of 13 he was actively engaged in tourism in the section, he went on four large trips a year. There were no special trainings there, but I gained experience in interesting hikes, rafting down rivers up to the 4th category of difficulty. I remember rafting on the Katun, Bukhtarma and Biya in Altai, in Karelia Ileks, Vama and Vodla, swam 300 km along the Lovat in the Pskov region, but this is a different sport ...
In general, I decided it would be cool to join the climbers, especially since the trip budget was minimal. All you had to do was buy a train ticket. They took food with them, lived in a tent. During the trip, I rolled down Elbrus a couple of times from the lift. Then we pitched a tent in the place where shelter 11 was, which had burned down at that time. Four days of waiting for the weather, but we were not lucky. Nothing happened, neither ride nor climb, in terrible weather he only climbed up to the Pastukhov rocks at 4800 and rolled down from there on his Mladosts without edges ...
Got a good trip experience. The climbers with whom I traveled were invited to work with them as a laborer in the industrial park. And in the summer of 1999, I mixed cement, I was 19 years old. Such is difficult childhood I have . The guys chipped in from their salaries so as not to waste time on hard work themselves. I saw enough of them, and then I thought that this is the highest paying job that I could do at that time. I found an employer, collected equipment from friends. In fact, he also mastered climbing on his own. Nobody really explained anything. My friend on the children's swing showed me several tricks, tied a couple of ropes, and with this luggage climbed onto the five-story panel building.
As a result, I was able to earn money for skiing. Could only afford used. However, everything turned out quite differently, and I bought a snowboard in Minsk. It was some consignment confiscated at the Belarusian customs, much cheaper than in a store. I bought shoes a size smaller than what was available and the cheapest bindings. Actually, with this set in May 2001 I again went to Elbrus. There I immediately met everyone: Alexander Baydaev, Gennady Khryachkov, Slava Runich… with all the legends of freeride at that moment. But I didn't like snowboarding. I don't understand why you have to make all these sacrifices. It’s really not convenient, you can’t step anywhere, your legs are tied, it’s inconvenient to use the yoke ... The only plus of a snowboard is swimming on virgin soil, it seemed doubtful, because you could swim in ordinary skis. It is important to understand that in 2001 snowboarding was considered unrealistically popular in Russia, and I thought it was some kind of nonsense that would not last long - and I was wrong.
After a month of snowboarding, he returned to skiing. Sometimes I got up on it again, but in 2004 I completely abandoned it. Snowboarding gave me a lot of things: new acquaintances and even a job - I put people on the board and also rented a snowboard. It so happened that I was one of the first snowboarders in Smolensk and the first to learn how to turn correctly. In general, I put a lot of people on boards and skis, dozens of them, and they are their friends, it turns out that extreme sports have been greatly promoted in Smolensk. I think now there are already 500-1000 people riding there, and not 50, as in 1996.
Way to Freeride World Tour
I went skiing in the mountains for the first time in 2002. Again to Elbrus, for two weeks. Let's go with a friend Alexei Grekov, I already knew how to organize everything cheaply. We got a ski pass in exchange for his wristwatch, the cable car operator offered an interesting exchange, we decided that it was more profitable for us and rode along these Cheget notes. Then he set a new record for himself - he jumped 21 meters long and made a rotation of 540 for the first time. We filmed everything on camera, this video cassette is somewhere.
Very constrained by the lack of money. It was possible to show oneself before, at least at the level of Russia.
- What influenced your progress in the future?
I was lucky that I even had a partner friend. In 2003, I started going to competitions, then rapid progress began.
At the competitions I saw that there are skiers who jump from the springboard better than me. I decided that I could do just as well or even better. I learned that I need to practice tricks on the trampoline. I did all my first tricks without a trampoline, even 720, but you have to start with it. But until 2003, I did not know anything about him. Then I found a trampoline in the physical institute, came from the street to the director of the sports school and told me what I needed. He let me in either free of charge, or conditionally paid. It is important to understand that it is very easy to negotiate in Smolensk. Thanks to such people, it was much easier for me. In general, Smolensk is a cool city: beautiful, with an old fortress and big amount hills from which I rode.
After the first prizes in freestyle in 2004, and I already did 900 and switch 540 at competitions, I went to summer camp on Elbrus. Somehow, everything happened quickly, unrealistic progress and a willingness to become professionals.
- Tell us about the first sponsor.
I found it at a ski salon in 2004, walked around with an album of photos of all my tricks and showed it to everyone. Nobody wanted to take it, but in the end I met Alexei Bychkov. Aleksey even traded with you on Saykina, 4 in the early 1990s, when there was a ski market "under the bridge" at the car factory. He was a very kind man who, unfortunately, has now died. We hit it off right away, as he was into freeriding and the prototype of the hot dog freestyle. I wanted to promote my online store hotski.ru, which still exists. He gave me everything necessary equipment and some money, and I was able to go to the Russian freeride cup. He immediately went to the final of the competition and in 2005 he won his second competition, the stage of the Russian Freeride Cup in Krasnaya Polyana.
Here is my story. Those. by the time he found a sponsor, he could already win the cup. And before that, I rode in Smolensk and went to the mountains several times at minimal cost.
About preparation
- In your LiveJournal, you write a lot about training on a mountain bike ...
In the summer we train in Cervinia (Aosta), in the park. Jump from trampolines - good workout so as not to forget the skis and the feeling of snow, but I can’t learn anything new. For freestyle, I did all the tricks a long time ago, I'm already old. Now it's just keeping in shape. The FWT commentators praised my skiing technique, and in general I also consider it excellent, so it’s hard to improve it. And add to physical strength possible and necessary. When a person has been living in the mountains all the time since childhood, he is physically stronger. In relation to freeride, this means that an athlete can jump from 20 meters and not fall just because he is more enduring, he has more strength at the moment.
- I.e. Do you actually do OFP?
Yes, it greatly affects the result. The main thing, having an advantage in technique, is to add physical strength. The less you get tired, the more energy will remain for the race itself, and the result will be better. At competitions, we spend several days in a row on our feet, getting up at 5-6 in the morning.
- Are you trying to increase muscle mass?
No, of course I don’t train in the gym, I develop not muscle mass, but endurance.
- Tell me about cycling...
Mountain biking is another story altogether. This is my favorite sport. I do it primarily because it's cool. Great to ride a bike. In a sense, freeride on a mountain bike is cooler than freeride on skis, you can actually overcome 50-70 km per day and see more. On skis, even if it's some kind of ski tour, your climb speed is not at all high. You can, of course, travel many miles in a day if there is a downward slope, but it is still faster on a bicycle. Cycling has its nuances, of course. On skis, you can go to almost any abyss, but on a bicycle this is not always possible. But the speed of movement in general on a bicycle is greater.
You regularly participate in various non-ski competitions. You are also into trekking. What else do you have in your plans, what kinds of sports do you want to try or master?
At one time I rode a skateboard and roller skates, and now I still have a skateboard in my car. There is a skate park in Cervinia. But this is so, pampering. I also tried surfing four times in different places. But this is a very difficult sport to master, which needs a lot of time. For a long time I decided for myself not to be scattered and focus on one thing.
I have competed on the bike many times. I had 10 starts over the summer. Now I don’t do this anymore for two reasons, so as not to be scattered and because of the lack of a normal cycling sponsor. At one time, he satisfied his ambitions: he won the Russian downhill championship in the masters, Maxiavalanche took second place in Europe in overall standings. It's enough.
- I.e. In this sport, mere ambition is not enough to compete?
So to spend your money and effort on it - no. This is a technical sport. Bicycling requires preparation. Professional team requires a mechanic, for each track their own spare parts, stars, tires are selected. In general, everything is very expensive.
Ivan Malakhov about FWT
- How do you evaluate your first season, which was held at such a level?
The results say it didn't go very well for me. I became a bit of a hostage to the rules. Three stages is not enough. After them, only 16 skiers remain, next year there will be even fewer, only 14. If you win at first, but then fall twice, you will not pass. But you can take 15th place three times and move on. It turns out that according to the rules of FWT are not always the best skiers who don't try to win.
What tactics do you think to use in the new season. You go for broke and try to squeeze the maximum or you will earn guaranteed points and keep them.
Yes, it's a big question what tactics to follow. I do not see much point in cautious tactics, although there is some sense, of course. If we analyze my performance separately, then at the first stage I had a stupid tactical mistake, at the second stage I did everything right, but there was high competition and my passage was only enough for 8th place. And in the third stage, he tried to win, but the ski came off on a clean landing. In freeride competitions, there are situations that cannot be predicted and simulated. With such overloads, every little thing must be observed. Perhaps the mounts were a little under-twisted and that was enough. Now I think that the ideal tactic is to drive cool, but not crazy, so as to aim for fourth place.
- What experience did you get and what did you learn?
We have touched on this issue a little. Probably, I will tighten the mask more tightly, I will take fasteners by 18. But this is not a guarantee that nothing new will happen.
- How calm did you feel at competitions of this level?
I must say that despite the great competitive experience, the transition to FWT is a big stress. You know the rules where there's no room for error... it's unpleasant. And the attitude towards me personally was good. In addition, I know many speakers from FWT in Krasnaya Polyana, some from FWQ.
- Which stage of FWT did you like more?
I did not find the normal stage at all. All the time there were some bad tracks, bad snow. But in general, this is the essence of FWT. Many people think that freeride is powder. In fact, freeride competitions in powder are very rare - one or two starts out of ten. This is, as a rule, some kind of tin, where you need to demonstrate all your skills. For FWT, walls are chosen where there are no traces, there is more or less snow, but not powder. There was snow in Chamonix, and in Andorra there was generally concrete covered with 5 cm of snow. In Alaska it's different, but I didn't get there.
Yes, I plan to continue to act like this, because with FWT they can be kicked out very easily, and there will be no time to return to FWQ, the season is half missed. For example, this year the third stage will be in early March, this is really the end of the FWQ season. And then, this is a very good warm-up before FWT. Plus, prize money is an important factor.
- And how do you cope with such a load?
It's actually not that much of a burden. For example, in 2013 and 2014 I had 11 starts each, in 2015 there were only 8, including FWT.
About freeride in Russia
- Why do you think there are so few world-class freeriders in Russia, what is missing?
In fact, freeride is very popular in Russia and there are a lot of cool riders. In Sheregesh or Polyana, there are much more freeriders in the queue than on any alpine one. I want to say that Russian resorts roll out faster and stronger than any Alpine ones. In Sheregesh, I get up at 6:30 in the morning after a snowfall, because I know that 20 minutes after the lift opens it will be too late. Nearby, everything is quickly rolled out.
- But why don't our freeriders go higher?
Most Russian riders do not even think that they can be successful on international competitions. In addition, competing and just skating are not the same thing. Even if you go to the competition once, it will not give you anything. The rating system is such that you have to skate the whole season, which is very expensive, and only then will you get some points. It makes no sense to go to two starts to pass the FWQ, even 10 may not be enough. Needs to be planted all winter. There are attempts by our guys to pass some competitions, but it does not work. A good example is the skier Grigory Korneev from Yekaterinburg. Super cool skier. In freestyle, he has cool skills in freeride. He went to the competition in Verbier and took fourth place right away, not particularly straining. He won the Rosa Khutor New Line Contest, shared the podium with Idris Uzdenov. But the most difficult thing in international competitions is funding. And you also need to be able to promote yourself well, look for sponsors. In Russia, if you are a rich man or you can save money in the summer and not work in the winter, then perhaps yes. In general, there are skiers in Russia, but they cannot prove themselves. Although, probably, if they wanted it as much as I did, then everything would work out.
- What advice would you give to beginner riders who set themselves ambitious goals?
In addition to the fact that you must be a very cool skier, and in reality, and not in your dreams, you must promote yourself. I'm giving you an interview right now, maybe someone will read it. I think all this is important, even if I have already made good progress. This is a parallel work with sports. My sponsor may not notice this interview, but we do it. Being a professional skier is not the same as being just a good skier. Like artists. Who is the most famous artist in Russia? Nicholas Safronov... but that doesn't mean he draws the best.
About equipment
- How do you evaluate the effectiveness of cooperation with Head?
Positive. Excellent relationship with the Russian office of Girvas. Now I'm trying to find a common language with a foreigner. I have new manager. Feedback really exists. They really ask me what I would like to change in skiing, what nuances there are. I think that the skis that you can buy in the store - Head Collective, Turbine and Cyclic are the best freeride collection on the market. This is a super modern collection, with all the new technologies, it took into account many nuances. First of all, these are cool skis for tourists. Previously, Head freeride skis were very stiff, they might not suit everyone. And now you can just go and buy, without hesitation, any skis from this line. All of them are suitable for almost any snow conditions.
I also have Head A-Star competition skis, they have only one drawback, they are made in the same size 187. But these skis are still not bought in stores. I asked to make it more authentic, they will do it - no, I don’t know. Was at the Head factory in Austria. I found it to be quite flexible. This is not a giant conveyor. There is something close to garage production, but there are a lot of small presses in the workshops, although, of course, there are complex cool machines. This is cool.
- Who supports you now, how are things with non-ski sponsors?
Five years on end, since 2010, my general sponsor is ТМ Columbia. Everyone knows clothing for sports and outdoor activities. I ride in a technological ski collection, which I test in the most extreme conditions. There are clothes for trekking and just for life, for example, I am now wearing socks, pants, a T-shirt, sneakers - all this is Columbia - in general, you understand. I am grateful to the Russian office for their support.
The first year is well sponsored by the company “Important. New insurance”, now there is all the necessary insurance, even the bike and skis are insured! Giro helmets and masks, my favorite Combyn and Blok model. There are also cycling sponsors: Rocky Mountain bike, Dakine cycling equipment and action cameras from Actioncams.ru Thanks to these brands and companies, it is possible to realize everything that was planned.
From this year on FWT, the mandatory requirement is the use of ABS backpacks. How do you feel about it? Do you always ride with him or let yourself ride light.
The Russian ABS distributor supports me. At one time, this backpack was issued, just in the season when I got into my biggest avalanche. The backpack didn't arrive on time and I didn't have it with me. I understand, I should not say anything bad, but I don’t really like to ride with ABS. It is huge, heavy and uncomfortable even in the very small version. It also gives a false sense of security. Any avalanche backpack gives that feeling. Plus, you have to be very careful with the equipment. The activation handle must always be undone, it is important not to lose it. A lot of different stories associated with avalanche backpacks. One day while filming Ride The Planet in Norway, touched the activation handle and the backpack inflated. Not only is the system no longer working, but you also need to be able to deflate the cylinders, I couldn’t and I had to move down with them to the guide who was able to deflate them.
I saw how on FWT one German skier jumped a big drop and his balloon exploded from landing. This year, while filming in Ossetia, I again got into an avalanche, and at that moment the ABS handle was caught by a strap. I left the avalanche, but the sediment remained, in the stressful conditions of heliskiing it is very difficult to keep track of all this. Because of the same opera, Anya Orlova lost her pen while disembarking from a helicopter on the set of a film in Arkhyz, went down and got into an avalanche. Kostya Galat's snowpulse exploded during a descent in Ossetia the day after "my" avalanche. At the same time, there are many real-life back stories with miraculous rescues using avalanche backpacks…
It may sound silly, but sometimes I feel that without a backpack, I have a better chance of driving away from an avalanche. And I say this despite the fact that every year I get into them.
However, all the same, I advise all tourists to ride with an avalanche backpack - ABS, Snowpulse - it doesn’t matter. You just need to understand that avalanche backpacks have their own nuances.
Before, when they didn’t talk about avalanche safety, you probably didn’t think about it. Were there times when it became scary and you wanted to quit everything?
In the beginning we rode without any equipment and didn't give a damn about it. We rode in the northern circus, where it is always dangerous. I drove the couloir rattle another on classic skiing. But there was no fear, because I had never encountered it.
- Do you skate in defense?
I always ride in a helmet and shorts. I only wear my back in competitions, but I always ride with a backpack. I also have knee pads, at least elastic, at most brace with light lateral support. This is both protection and a way to slightly lighten the knees. I highly recommend them to anyone - injured or not.
- What type of riding do you prefer as an entertainment: carving, funcarv, downhill, ski tour?
On the slopes I ride only from the lift to the freeride zone. You can go down between the lifts, I will also enjoy it, but I will not specifically waste time on the slopes. Practically all year round I don't ride trails, only in the summer on the glacier. Interested in other directions. By the way, I am very proud that I won competitions in ski-cross, freeride, big air, jibbing. Those. in my career there are victories in all modern ski disciplines. Some competitions, of course, are quite simple, such as regional ones, but there were also serious victories.
How emotional are you, do you rush at the sight of a great slope right away or do you analyze it for a long time?
When I was young, I could not deny myself anything. Even standing on a dangerous springboard. The same on a bike. I just couldn't help doing some kind of trick in front of people. Now it’s different, I live in comfort with my ambitions and skills. You don't have to push yourself too hard anymore. I can go around some bump by the side if I don’t see a landing. Very often such disputes arise with the photographer. He says: "everything is cool, jump" - and you doubt it. “Of course, I don’t force you, but the frame will be so fantastic ...”. In fact, he forces. This is a speech about Andrew Britanishsky, with whom we often work. Although often all I risk is a simple fall, not even an injury, the brain already works differently, I can quite easily refuse. This is important for any tourist or beginner freestyler - there are doubts, do not force things. Even Seth Morrison wrote in an interview: “I did a backflip, first I trained on a trampoline, then I jumped from a springboard into the water, and only then I did it on skis.” But in Russia it is not so. We have a dude riding, jumping a backflip from a bump, plucking, hitting his head on a springboard, a concussion ... Very often, freestylers have poor skating technique. In general, you need to be careful and consistent. No need to rush.
And finally, what is competition for you? A way to know yourself, to surpass, to show Russia or just to earn money?
In fact, it is very important for me that I represent Russia at these competitions. But in general, the competition allows you to progress very much. This is an opportunity to expand the boundaries of possibilities. I love forest skiing usually, I don’t like to climb somewhere all day to cross the couloirs later. I like to ride in Sheregesh style on cushions. But this is completely different than in competitions, where you have to do all sorts of scary things ...
- Good luck, Ivan. We will root for you with the whole team.
On January 22, the strongest freeriders of the planet gathered in Andorra to open the season Freeride World Tour . The Vallnor-Arcalis resort hosted one of the stages of the tour for the second time in history. In total, 61 riders entered the competition in the skiing and snowboarding categories. Sunny weather, lots of snow and the highest level athletes made the opening of the season unforgettable.
The Russians had their own reason for joy: the rider Ivan Malakhov received 86.62 points from the judges for his descent and climbed to third place in the ski rating. On the eve of the second stage, which will be held on February 6 in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France, we talked with him about how a guy from Smolensk can become one of the best freeriders in the world.
You took the podium of the first stage of the Swatch Freeride World Tour, taking a very dangerous downhill line.
At first, I chose an even more dangerous line, which meant starting on the side, higher from the starting gate. This is allowed, but this time I was not allowed to do it. Therefore, I skipped my starting number and rode last, choosing the “fallback” option for the descent line.
What do you think you lacked to win?
If they had given a start from above, there would have been a victory. On the last jump I had a mistake, a stop, and then on landing I touched the slope with my back. Without her, I would definitely have second place.
When did you start freeriding at a professional level?
In 2005, when he took part in the Russian Freeride Cup. By this point I was already very well prepared, so I managed to win the second stage and, accordingly, my second freeride start. The first few years were spent looking for good sponsors. Since then, the level of skating has grown a lot. There were opportunities to organize training and trips.
How long have you been taking part in competitions of such a high level?
For a very long time I didn't have enough money to compete in Europe, because I had to organize a big program for ten starts. Actually, even now the budget is very limited, and this affects the quality of training. Freeride - no olympic look sports, you can only count on personal sponsors. My first full season was in 2013 when I finished 44th in the Freeride World Qualifier. Gained experience, drew conclusions and in 2014 took fifth place. Last year he already entered the top three of the strongest riders.
Where are you training? Are there suitable places for training in Russia?
For the first ten years I rode a 200-meter slide in my native Smolensk, where I learned 80-90% of what I can. I’ve been grinding and developing my skills in the mountains for another ten years. To learn how to freeride well, you need to spend the whole winter in the mountains. In Russia, there are several suitable resorts for this.
Freeride skiing is one of the most traumatic sports. What safety measures are the riders taking?
Of course, I have the basic "avalanche" equipment: a beeper (avalanche beacon), a shovel, a probe. I know how to use it. I always ride with a helmet and protective shorts. Back protection and an ABS avalanche backpack are required for competitions. It is useful to use special knee pads for skiing. The main thing is common sense and experience. You should not expose yourself to unnecessary risks, you need to know your limit well, and everything will be in order.
How is your preparation for next step Swatch Freeride World Tour?
Now my team and I are in Courmayeur (Aosta, Italy) - this is our winter base. Here we rent an apartment for three months, there is a seasonal ski pass, so I ride every day. From here it is convenient to travel to all FWT and FWQ competitions. Best Workout- to ride as much as possible, and here there are all conditions for this. The ski area is Monte Bianco with a difference in altitude from 3460 to 1300 m and Courmayeur with a difference from 2750 to 1200 m.
I am spending my third season in the Aosta Valley, so I know the area for skiing well. Here I feel at home. In fact, training does not stop all year round. I spent the summer right there, in the resort of Cervinia, skiing and mountain biking. November-December - in Sheregesh, Kemerovo region, off-season - in Montenegro.
In Russia there is a skier with the prefix "super". Surprised? He just competes in a non-Olympic discipline - freeride. Meet Ivan Malakhov. A skier from Smolensk, who is one of the world's freeride elite. He competed in the finals of the Swatch Freeride World Tour on the rocky peaks of Verbier, Switzerland.
Swatch Freeride World Tour finish town / Photo: © Swatch
But the weather prevented Ivan from even trying to win in the final - both snowboarders with snowboarders and skiers managed to pass, but the skiers were not lucky.
Ivan constantly talks about skiing and snow - he lives his business. In an interview with Sportbox.ru, he talked about how you can become a skier in Smolensk and what is worse - freeride or downhill.
- How do you prepare for the descent?
The Freeride World Tour, the so-called Freeride World Championship, is held at five different resorts, and, as a rule, the snow is bad, because the date is set in advance, and it is quite difficult to guess with the snow.
- And good snow is “powder” (only fallen, untouched snow)?
The beginning of this winter in Europe was very bad. In Andorra, where I took third place, there was little snow. Then suddenly it began to snow in Chamonix, and the snow was very good, fresh. Even slightly better than in Alaska. Then we came to Austria, there were also snowfalls before our competitions, but a strong wind came up and the snow was blown away. The entire competitive mountain descended in small avalanches. I just note that the snow is bad in the first stage, good in the second, bad in the third. Although outwardly the picture is beautiful, but I can’t say that this is the kind of snow that I would like to ride on. "Puffy" is a rarity in freeride competition. The fourth stage in Alaska - it is clear that it is good there. But even there it was very warm, and at the final in Verbier the temperature in the village was +13 degrees. I even fell down on the stage in Alaska, because from a shady slope I crashed into the target, which was in the sun, there is a different snow. It wasn't the main factor in my downfall, but it did.
Ivan Malakhov took 3rd place at the stage in Alaska / Photo: © Swatch
- And what are your tactics for the Swatch Freeride World Tour final?
I watched the video and everything is very simple. When the mountain, where no one has competed before you, this is an ideal situation. But this happens very rarely. When you arrive and see a mountain for the first time, you have to come up with tactics yourself, fantasy works. And I have a fantasy, I think - I can think of something interesting. But I don’t have such an opportunity, because all five stages were held on the slopes, where there were already competitions, on some - many times. All lines of descent are known, and it is possible to come up with something new, but it is difficult, because the level of skiers is close. And even though I'm a super skier, I can't jump 20 meters further than my opponent. I can do two meters, but that doesn't change much.
Plus, in the brain of the judges, it is predetermined that there will most likely be a winner on a certain line. And I have to go where, as it seems to me, the judges will evaluate well. On the descent of Verbier there was always a passage in the middle, over stones, - winning, but since 2013 the criteria for judging have changed slightly. They decided that those who drive on the easier part, that is, on the left, do it faster, without stopping, and it looks good. Although it is objectively easier to drive there.
- What did you expect before the Swatch Freeride World Tour final?
Theoretically, my passage could become victorious, but I hardly believed it. There was an option to drive along the right side of the mountain, but it is very difficult there - over stones, it is very slow and looks bad. The judges began to evaluate this place badly. There was a case in 2013 when an athlete drove through right side excellent, perfect, but he was still given second place. And I chose a route that had already been passed before me and with which we took first place in 2014. But I want to make it more difficult and jump the third jump in a very difficult place. And so far, this place is just a jamb - there you need to drive through the tongue of snow, a meter wide, jump over a large rock, and the gap at the end, where the snow ends, is not very good.
- Can you miss?
Can. It is necessary to start off in advance, and this is in question. But I spoke to the judge, he said that it would be well judged. Better than if I ride like last year's winner. So the plan was this: I drive like the winner of 2014, but I make it very difficult in one place, and theoretically it could work. And sometimes there are some overpasses for skiers, and there's nothing to be done about it. Basically, I looked, and on the right, I see some cool options for myself.
Ivan Malakhov / Photo: © Swatch
Let's talk about your record. You are the first person to jump from a helicopter into the crater of an active volcano.
Well, this is such a bit, of course, a trick sucked from the finger.
- But it looked very scary.
A record is a record. In any case, no one jumped into the volcano, and in general, few people have the opportunity to jump from a helicopter. If you look on the Internet, then I saw only two or three videos of people jumping from a helicopter. But to land on my feet and go further, I jump higher. One snowboarder about ten years ago jumped from a nine-story building, just into a snowdrift, like children jump. For me, with this volcano, the difficulty was that there was bad snow. The height is great, it looks great, so I'm very satisfied.
As I understand it, it was possible to go into the lava there? The guide in the video said: “If you go there, we won’t save you from there.”
Yes, that's how it was. There was a boiling cauldron below, and when falling, it was theoretically possible not to stop and fall there. Therefore, it was better not to fall, and if you fall, then try to stop. There are places where you can’t fall, and on this mountain, just to the right, you can’t fall almost everywhere.
- I can imagine what freeriding is, but going to the rocks is very scary.
Freeride is a very broad concept. But freeride highest achievements, freeride competitions are a little different, not just riding on “powder”. When I ride, I choose places where the snow is softer, I don’t go to the rocks, why do I need it.
Russian skier Ivan Malakhov / Photo: © From the personal archive of Ivan Malakhov
- And what is more terrible - such a freeride with a top mark or a downhill (descent from the mountains) on a bicycle?
Falling downhill hurts a lot. It's easier to fall on snow. On a bicycle, you can fall on level ground, and it will be very painful. And in my short career as a racer, I fell several times, hit my head. I had no serious injuries, but once I did fall on my shoulder. After this fall, I could not ride for three weeks, because I could not hold the steering wheel. And on skis, in fact, it rarely happens that I can’t ski. There are very few such injuries.
- Have there been moments in your life when you thought: “This is the end, now I will die”?
Yes, sure. There was such a moment when I fell into an avalanche. This famous history was in 2010. The snow began to press down on me, to get into my mouth, and that's where I thought: now they will press me down, and that's it.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDoK089PmnH/- Is your hairstyle your signature style?
Yes, that's how I always do it.
- How do your relatives, especially your mother, react to such an extreme?
I was raised very well, I was a happy child. But then, at the age of 15, I was left to my own devices. And just at that moment, at the age of 15, he took up skiing. They have become a pillar in my life. I will never leave them. This is basically impossible, because this is my core. That's why I strive good results Nobody is forcing me to do this. My parents know what I'm doing, but they don't really care. My girlfriend's parents know she's a professional freerider, but they're fine with it. The man has chosen his path. It is better to support than to ban.
Ivan's girlfriend is Anna Orlova, snowboarder, Roxy pro rider. She also came to Verbier for the final. Not just cheer for Ivan, but help him. She tracked how the snow behaved during the descent of other participants and reported this data to the Russian skier.
- You make videos about freeride. How do you come up with ideas for it and what are your plans in this direction?
We shot four films: "Joy", "Atmosphere", "Snow Territory", "Book of Mountains". But so far they have slowed down with the video, because it is not economically feasible. And after I got into competition, it gave me new push. All skiers end their careers sooner or later and start making videos. It's still ahead of me. I am very proud of the video that I did in the summer. Got two or three million views, which is very close to the video of such a famous skier as Candide Toveks.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDqfxCMPmrK/- Why did you choose skiing and not snowboarding? And why freeride and not classic skiing?
When I started skiing, when we didn't have a snowboard yet. Then he appeared with us in Smolensk. I bought a German snowboard at customs, very cheap. We in Smolenka had no one to study with. Turning on a snowboard requires technique. I learned how to turn from the guys from Minsk, and then I bought my board. I became the first in our city who could perform tricks on it. There are physical disadvantages to a snowboard: it has less speed and less stability. Legs are tied, landing hard and uncomfortable, painful. Snowboarding has no advantages. It developed at a time when the skis were narrow and the snowboard was floating in the snow. There were also special tricks. After the appearance wide skis snowboarding has no advantage. I don't understand why snowboarding hasn't died yet. Although he basically died in Europe. It is in such backward places as ours that snowboarding is very popular. What is the point of riding an instrument that is uncomfortable? But if you want to snowboard, go snowboarding, that's your problem. Hmm... My girlfriend is snowboarding...
- There was a question from Sportbox.ru readers. How much force do you put the mount on?
In competitions - up to 17. And when I ski - 15. In fact, I even put less sometimes - 12. In competitions, 17, because if the ski comes off, it's zero points. And if you fell, and the ski did not come unfastened, you will get at least some points, you will reach the end. Sometimes it matters. By the way, 17 is 170 kg. I weigh 78 kg. So consider how much it differs from amateur skiing.
Ivan Malakhov / Photo: © From the personal archive of Ivan Malakhov
- How do you evaluate yourself at the end of the season?
Of course, I dream of becoming a champion, but for some reason this does not happen. And I seem to be a good skier, so I'm doing something wrong. And in Austria, the 14th place for a good ride was inexplicable. I would understand if I was eighth. Refereeing is changing, and we must have time to respond. There was a fairly original passage, and originality is usually judged well. In Alaska, I was supposed to take a prize, but I fell down below. But I was told that I would still take fourth or fifth place. This was also frustrating, because the passage was very good. In the last three stages, the first three places were for those who did tricks. I can do tricks, but that's not my tactic. The guy who won did a little trick of just a 360 degree jump and they gave him first place. Roughly speaking, I can repeat his passage, but I need to know in advance that they will get the first place for this, and no one knows in advance. You need to predict everything and either interrupt the tricks with some terrible drops ... Well, I will try to win next year.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BD2TGk1Pmnr/Although Ivan did not manage to start in the final, like all the other skiers, he on his own initiative made a descent along the intended line and was pleased with how everything went.
Katerina Manina, Sportbox.ru
Verbier, Switzerland
