By Johan Trygg

Ermil Vokuev, Russian Winter Team, started Season XI in a really good way. Then he wasn’t able to attend the last three races. Despite that, he won the Climb bib competition.
“I think the Climb bib will hang on my shoulders for a long time,” says Vokuev.

After finishing seventh at the Season XI start in Engadin La Diagonela Vokuev lined up four podium places. He sprinted to victory at Toblach-Cortina and finished third at Marcialonga, Jizerská 50, and Vasaloppet.

Vokuev collected enough points in these races to win the Climb competition even though he didn’t start in the last three races. In the end, Vokuev won 30 points ahead of Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team XPND Fuel of Norway. 250 points against 230.

How does it feel to have won the Climb competition?
“It’s nice to win bibs… I think the Climb bib will hang on my shoulders for a long time,” says the 29-year-old Russian.

You did five very good races in Visma Ski Classics this winter. How sad was it not to be able to attend the last three races? Races that probably had suited you well?
“I was disappointed when, half a day before departure, circumstances did not allow me to fly to Sweden. I had planned to do two of the final races. Thanks to Jens Burman for helping me win the Climb bib, and also my teammates, who did a lot for this.”
“My plan was, of course, also to stay in the top three in the overall standings.”

Now Vokuev was passed by Oskar Kardin, Team Ragde Eiendom, who finished third, and Vokuev finished fourth.

Will we see you attend the full Visma Ski Classics Season XII?
“In the coming seasons, I can’t compete only in Visma Ski Classics, I will combine… but what I showed this season is cool, without doing special preparation for long distance races.

 What will you focus on in your training ahead of next winter?
“This summer, I will give a little more attention to long distance and training by double poling… I have to put on the yellow bib at least once next season, and I think I will wear the overall Champion bib in the future.”

We had heard that the interest around you has been great in Russia since the races broadcasted on Match TV. What are your thoughts about the interest in long distance skiing in Russia in the coming years?
“The interest, of course, increased after they began to show Visma Ski Classics on Match TV. It’s cool when the races are shown on a national channel. The popularity of long distance skiing in our country has increased markedly,” Vokuev ends.