Mountain Running
Two new winners crowned in debut Nur-Sultan event
Brand new Red Bull 400 venue in Kazakhstan sees triumph for Tatyana Neroznak in the women’s as Pyotr Tikhonov takes top spot in the men’s.
The sprint is on in the latest addition to the calendar of Red Bull 400
© Vladimir Monko/ Red Bull Content Pool
It’s the newest venue in the Red Bull 400 calendar this year, having only opened in July 2018 and the sold-out event saw 300 athletes come from far and wide to put themselves to the test on the newly-built track.
Amongst the 300 participants, the race saw some familiar faces, from not only the Almaty event, but also neighbouring Russian venues in Chaikovsky and Sochi. Kazakh athlete Tatyana Neroznak was one of these. Having come second in the 2018 Almaty event, she was definitely one to watch and sure enough as the women’s race kicked off, Neroznak was soon among the forerunners. But she had her work cut out in the forms of Irina Bykova, who was putting up a tough fight, and Yuliya Fernas, who was beginning to close in as well. With the finish line looming, every second counted, but Neroznak put on a burst of speed at the last minute to take first place in 4m 1s.
Tatyana Neroznak on her way to victory
© Vladimir Monko/ Red Bull Content Pool
“I’ve been in professional athletics for over 12 years.” Says Neroznak. “I didn’t carry out any particular preparations for the race, as I’m currently in a good competitive condition. I’m glad I had the chance to participate, as I’ve had only good experiences here. The other participants were really fast and I was concerned they would overtake. That’s why I sped up over the final metres. It’s always so hard to compete, but my motto is, if you do, then do your best and spare no effort!”
Bykova kept her lead on Fernas for long enough to take a solid second place in 4m 15s. Fernas completed the podium with her finishing time of 4m 21s.
Pyotr Tikhonovon has five metres left to victory in Nur-Sultan
© Vladimir Monko/ Red Bull Content Pool
At 36 degrees, the ski jump is one of the steeper venues on the Red Bull 400 calendar and with rain making for a slippery race, competing athletes had to pour all the strength and focus they had into covering those 400m. Despite this, in the men’s race it was really close. In the final stretch, Russian athlete, Pyotr Tikhonov was leading the race, but challengers were close behind. Holding them off just long enough to cross the finish line, Tikhonov claimed first place in 3m 27s.
Having competed in earlier events in Russia, Tikhonov knew what he was facing, but it was still far from easy. “I’m thrilled!” Tikhonov exclaimed. “I've participated twice previously in Red Bull 400 Chaikovsky and now for the first time in Kazakhstan. It’s my first win. The other competitors were very motivated and I had to fight right up until the last second of the race. Rain made the race even more complicated. I was trying to save my power for the finish, but the last 100 metres were really hard. I just had to endure."
Tatyana Neroznak and Pyotr Tikhonov pose with their winner´s trophy
© Vladimir Monko/ Red Bull Content Pool
Kazakh athletes Dmitry Kolomeyets and Stepan Kinyov were left to battle it out for second place and with seconds to go Kolomeyets edged out Kinyov, crossing in 3m 34s. Kinyov competes the podium in 3m 45s.
The relay event saw 18 teams participate, with Magnitka Team from Russia storming the finishing line in 1m 58s to claim top spot on the podium.
The enormous size of the Shchuchinsk ski jump makes for a huge trophy
© Vladimir Monko/ Red Bull Content Pool
It was an incredible first edition on the Shchuchinsk ski jump, with the venue making for a strong addition to the collection of Red Bull 400 ski jumping hills.
Next up in the Red Bull 400 calendar, Bischofshofen, Austria takes to the stage on August 24 to host the fifth edition at the site. Having originated in Austria back in 2011, the Red Bull 400 event here is always huge, drawing in a massive crowd and some of the biggest names from the competition.
Red Bull 400 Nur-Sultan Women's results
PLACE
NAME
TIME
1.
Tatyana Neroznak/KAZ
4m 01s
2.
Irina Bykova/KAZ
4m 15s
3.
Yuliya Fernas/KGZ
4m 21s
Red Bull 400 Nur-Sultan Men's results
PLACE
NAME
TIME
1.
Pyotr Tikhonov/RUS
3m 27s
2.
Dmitry Kolomeyets/KAZ
3m 34s
3.
Stepan Kinyov/KAZ
3m 45s