Alexey Prokurorov, rest in peace…

Sad news from across the ocean. Alexey Prokurorov, famous Russian professional cross-country skier, died on the morning of Friday, October 10, on his 44-th year of age. While crossing the road towards a rail station, he was hit by a car. The driver was under a heavy influence of alcohol and was (already) driving without a license.

Prokurorov was truly among the best cross-country skiers. I definitely know that, because I always looked up to him, when I competed. Just to list a few things about him: he participated in 5 Olympics, the last one being Nagano 2002, where he was a flag-bearer. He has won two olympic medals: one gold and once silver, both in Calgary 1988. He was evidently a significant figure in the world of cross-country skiing, and sport in general.

It is a pity that someone so high has to go, but something so low has to stay. It is awful that anyone or anything has to go, but in the course of a crude choice, that’s how it stands.

Here

Here (in Russian)

Liana’s First Time on Nordic Skis

Finally, one of my wishes came true: Liana stood on nordic skis today for the first time! She didn’t really like it at first, as there were several reasons for that: (1) it was really cold, (2) there was quite a lot of people, (3) nordic skiing is not the kind of sport that you come, enjoy and have fun from the first minutes. Nordic skiing is a tough sport on its own, leave out the fact that it takes years to actually learn the technique, which is very important for the enjoyment.

As I am not a professional teacher, nor have I got any experience in teaching nordic skiing from scratch, I don’t think I was a very good helper in learning how to ski. However, I tried really hard and tried to be the most smart about it.

A little later in the day, after we’ve made a little break, the sun cam out and we decided to go for another try. And to my great happiness, Liana liked this time! She started doing all the right moves and she really did them so perfectly that I was amazed to the bottom of my skull! It looked so natural for her. So my tough work at trying out as a teacher paid off well. Most of all, she liked skiing! I could not be more pleased!

We’re definitely taking the most of it next season, and I hope we will take one or may be even two more days this season to go up there and beat the hell of the snow!

Update

I have slightly changed the design of my personal web page. I was also about to add some new content, but was distracted. So that’ll wait, I suppose. If you’re interested, have a look here.

This week the University of Toronto has its reading week. A definitely great timing for many, including myself, as I truly needed to recharge some of my batteries. Yet, so much work is to be done, that I wonder if I will be able to finish all of it over the week. Hopefully, I will.

Nonetheless, I am taking at least half a day off this Tuesday or Wednesday for a ski break with my lovely fiancee! Although today the weather is absolutely terrifying (+5 degrees and pouring rain), but there’s enough snow to cross-country ski on, that’s for sure.