Wikipedia
Yelena Välbe
Yelena Valeryevna Välbe (Russian: Елена Валерьевна Вяльбе, née Trubitsyna; born 20 April 1968) is a Russian former cross-country skier. She won a record-high 14 gold, including all five golds at the 1997 World Championships. She also won three Olympic gold medals and four bronze medals in various Winter Olympic Games as well as four World Cup Crystal Globes.
| Yelena Välbe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yelena Välbe in 2004 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Russia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full name | Yelena Valeryevna Välbe | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 20 April 1968 Magadan, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ski club | CSKA Moscow | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| World Cup career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Seasons | 11– (1987, 1989–1998) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Individual wins | 45 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team wins | 24 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiv. podiums | 81 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team podiums | 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indiv. starts | 117 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team starts | 33 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Overall titles | 5 – (1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Discipline titles | 1 – (1 LD: 1997) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
She has been president of the Russian Cross-Country Ski Association since 2010, and manager of the Russian National cross-country team since 2012. White Snow, a biographical sports drama about Välbe, was released in 2020–21.
She was elected to the FIS Council in 2021, but after she in 2022 supported the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a number of European Ski Federations objected to her participation in the 2022 election, her nomination was publicly opposed by representatives of Sweden, Poland, and Finland, and she was removed from the position after she garnered the fewest votes.[1]
Career
Summary
At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, Välbe won a record-high fourteen gold (1989: 10 km freestyle, 30 km; 1991: 10 km, 15 km, 4 ×5 km relay; 1993: 15 km, 4 × 5 km relay; 1995: 30 km, 4 x 5 km relay), and three silver medals (1989: 4 × 5 km relay, 1991: 30 km, 1995: 15 km), including all five golds at the 1997 championships in Trondheim (5 km, 5 km + 10 km combined pursuit, 15 km, 30 km, and 4 × 5 km relay).[2] She also won three gold (all in relays) and four bronze medals in various Winter Olympic Games as well as the FIS Cross-Country World Cup five times (1989, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997).[3] Välbe also won the 5 km (1991) and 15 km (1992) competitions at the Holmenkollen ski festival. She received the Holmenkollen medal in 1992.
After retirement
In 2010, Välbe was elected as President of the Russian Cross-Country Ski Association.[4] – FIS 29 June 2010 article accessed 30 June 2010. Late in 2012 she got the position of manager for the Russian cross-country team towards the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. She was also manager for the Russian team during the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.[5]
She was elected to the FIS Council in 2021, but after she in 2022 supported the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, a number of European Ski Federations objected to her participation in the 2022 election, her nomination was publicly opposed by representatives of Sweden, Poland, and Finland, and she was removed from the position after she garnered the fewest votes.[1]
Cross-country skiing results
All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).[6]
Olympic Games
- 7 medals – (3 gold, 4 bronze)
| Year | Age | 5 km | 15 km | Pursuit | 30 km | 4 × 5 km relay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 23 | Bronze | Bronze | Bronze | Bronze | Gold |
| 1994 | 25 | — | 6 | — | 6 | Gold |
| 1998 | 29 | — | 17 | — | 5 | Gold |
World Championships
- 17 medals – (14 gold, 3 silver)
| Year | Age | 5 km | 10 km classical | 10 km freestyle | 15 km | Pursuit | 30 km | 4 × 5 km relay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 20 | — | 6 | Gold | — | — | Gold | Silver |
| 1991 | 22 | — | — | Gold | Gold | — | Silver | Gold |
| 1993 | 24 | 4 | — | — | Gold | 6 | 19 | Gold |
| 1995 | 26 | 4 | — | — | Silver | 12 | Gold | Gold |
| 1997 | 28 | Gold | — | — | Gold | Gold | Gold | Gold |
World Cup
Season standings
| Season | Age | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Long Distance | Sprint | ||
| 1987 | 18 | 23 | — | — |
| 1989 | 20 | — | — | |
| 1990 | 21 | — | — | |
| 1991 | 22 | — | — | |
| 1992 | 23 | — | — | |
| 1993 | 24 | — | — | |
| 1994 | 25 | — | — | |
| 1995 | 26 | — | — | |
| 1996 | 27 | — | — | |
| 1997 | 28 | |||
| 1998 | 29 | 12 | 5 | 18 |
Individual podiums
- 45 victories
- 81 podiums
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1988–89 | 10 December 1988 | La Féclaz, France | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 2 | 14 December 1988 | Campra, Switzerland | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 3 | 17 December 1988 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 4 | 7 January 1989 | Kavgolovo, Soviet Union | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 5 | 19 February 1989 | Lahti, Finland | 10 km Individual F | World Championships[1] | 1st | |
| 6 | 25 February 1989 | 30 km Individual F | World Championships[1] | 1st | ||
| 7 | 11 March 1989 | Falun, Sweden | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 8 | 1989–90 | 10 December 1989 | Soldier Hollow, United States | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 9 | 18 February 1990 | Pontresina, Switzerland | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 10 | 20 February 1990 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 11 | 2 March 1990 | Lahti, Finland | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 12 | 7 March 1990 | Sollefteå, Sweden | 30 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 13 | 1990–91 | 8 December 1990 | Tauplitzalm, Austria | 10 km + 15 km Pursuit C/F | World Cup | 2nd |
| 14 | 15 December 1990 | Davos, Switzerland | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 15 | 15 December 1990 | Les Saisies, France | 5 km + 10 km Pursuit C/F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 16 | 5 January 1991 | Minsk, Soviet Union | 30 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 17 | 8 February 1991 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 15 km Individual C | World Championships[1] | 1st | |
| 18 | 10 February 1991 | 10 km Individual F | World Championships[1] | 1st | ||
| 19 | 16 February 1991 | 30 km Individual F | World Championships[1] | 2nd | ||
| 20 | 2 March 1991 | Lahti, Finland | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 21 | 9 March 1991 | Falun, Sweden | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 22 | 16 March 1991 | Oslo, Norway | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 23 | 1991–92 | 7 December 1991 | Silver Star, Canada | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 24 | 8 December 1991 | 10 km Pursuit C | World Cup | 2nd | ||
| 25 | 14 December 1991 | Thunder Bay, Canada | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 26 | 4 January 1992 | Kavgolovo, Russia | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 27 | 9 February 1992 | Albertville, France | 15 km Individual C | Olympic Games[1] | 3rd | |
| 28 | 13 February 1992 | 5 km Individual C | Olympic Games[1] | 3rd | ||
| 29 | 15 February 1992 | 10 km Pursuit F | Olympic Games[1] | 3rd | ||
| 30 | 21 February 1992 | 10 km Pursuit F | Olympic Games[1] | 3rd | ||
| 31 | 14 March 1992 | Vang, Norway | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 32 | 1992–93 | 12 December 1992 | Ramsau, Austria | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 33 | 18 December 1992 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 34 | 3 January 1993 | Kavgolovo, Russia | 30 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 35 | 9 January 1993 | Ulrichen, Switzerland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 36 | 16 January 1993 | Cogne, Italy | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 37 | 19 February 1993 | Falun, Sweden | 15 km Individual C | World Championships[1] | 1st | |
| 38 | 10 March 1993 | Lillehammer, Norway | 10 km Pursuit F | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 39 | 19 March 1993 | Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 40 | 1993–94 | 11 December 1993 | Santa Caterina, Italy | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 41 | 18 December 1993 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 42 | 21 December 1993 | Toblach, Italy | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 43 | 8 January 1994 | Kavgolovo, Russia | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 44 | 12 March 1994 | Falun, Sweden | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 45 | 1994–95 | 27 November 1994 | Kiruna, Sweden | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
| 46 | 14 December 1994 | Tauplitzalm, Austria | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 47 | 17 December 1994 | Sappada, Italy | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 48 | 20 December 1994 | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | ||
| 49 | 7 January 1995 | Östersund, Sweden | 30 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 50 | 14 January 1995 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 51 | 4 February 1995 | Falun, Sweden | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 52 | 5 February 1995 | 10 km Pursuit F | World Cup | 1st | ||
| 53 | 10 March 1995 | Thunder Bay, Canada | 5 km Individual C | World Championships[1] | 2nd | |
| 54 | 18 March 1995 | 30 km Individual F | World Championships[1] | 1st | ||
| 55 | 25 March 1995 | Sapporo, Japan | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 56 | 1995–96 | 25 November 1995 | Vuokatti, Finland | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 57 | 29 November 1995 | Gällivare, Sweden | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 58 | 9 December 1995 | Davos, Switzerland | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 59 | 10 December 1995 | 10 km Pursuit C | World Cup | 2nd | ||
| 60 | 13 December 1995 | Brusson, Italy | 10 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 61 | 9 January 1996 | Štrbské Pleso, Slovakia | 30 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 62 | 13 January 1996 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st | |
| 63 | 2 February 1996 | Seefeld, Austria | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 64 | 4 February 1996 | Reit im Winkl, Germany | 1.0 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 65 | 25 February 1996 | Trondheim, Norway | 10 km Pursuit F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 66 | 10 March 1996 | Falun, Sweden | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 67 | 1996–97 | 23 November 1996 | Kiruna, Sweden | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st |
| 68 | 7 December 1996 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 69 | 14 December 1996 | Brusson, Italy | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 70 | 5 January 1997 | Kavgolovo, Russia | 15 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 71 | 11 January 1997 | Hakuba, Japan | 5 km Individual C | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 72 | 12 January 1997 | 10 km Pursuit F | World Cup | 3rd | ||
| 73 | 18 January 1997 | Lahti, Finland | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 74 | 21 February 1997 | Trondheim, Norway | 15 km Individual F | World Championships[1] | 1st | |
| 75 | 23 February 1997 | 5 km Individual C | World Championships[1] | 1st | ||
| 76 | 24 February 1997 | 10 km Pursuit F | World Championships[1] | 1st | ||
| 77 | 1 March 1997 | 30 km Individual C | World Championships[1] | 1st | ||
| 78 | 8 March 1997 | Falun, Sweden | 5 km Individual F | World Cup | 1st | |
| 79 | 11 March 1997 | Sunne, Sweden | 1.0 km Sprint F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 80 | 15 March 1997 | Oslo, Norway | 30 km Individual F | World Cup | 2nd | |
| 81 | 1997–98 | 20 December 1997 | Davos, Switzerland | 15 km Individual C | World Cup | 1st |
Team podiums
- 24 victories – (24 RL)
- 32 podiums – (30 RL, 2 TS)
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place | Teammate(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1986–87 | 1 March 1987 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Ordina / Lazutina / Reztsova |
| 2 | 1988–89 | 23 February 1989 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Championships[1] | 2nd | Shamshurina / Smetanina / Tikhonova |
| 3 | 12 March 1989 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Lazutina / Smetanina / Tikhonova | |
| 4 | 1989–90 | 11 March 1990 | Örnsköldsvik, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Yegorova / Lazutina / Tikhonova |
| 5 | 1990–91 | 15 February 1991 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Championships[1] | 1st | Yegorova / Smetanina / Tikhonova |
| 6 | 10 March 1991 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 1st | Nageykina / Yegorova / Tikhonova | |
| 7 | 15 March 1991 | Oslo, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Nageykina / Smetanina / Tikhonova | |
| 8 | 1991–92 | 18 February 1992 | Albertville, France | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | Olympic Games[1] | 1st | Smetanina / Lazutina / Yegorova |
| 9 | 8 March 1992 | Funäsdalen, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Lazutina / Nageykina / Yegorova | |
| 10 | 1992–93 | 26 February 1993 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Championships[1] | 1st | Lazutina / Gavrylyuk / Yegorova |
| 11 | 1993–94 | 22 February 1994 | Lillehammer, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | Olympic Games[1] | 1st | Lazutina / Gavrylyuk / Yegorova |
| 12 | 4 March 1994 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Nageykina / Lazutina / Gavrylyuk | |
| 13 | 13 March 1994 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Nageykina / Gavrylyuk / Lazutina | |
| 14 | 1994–95 | 15 January 1995 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 1st | Danilova / Gavrylyuk / Lazutina |
| 15 | 29 January 1995 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Zavyalova / Gavrylyuk / Lazutina | |
| 16 | 7 February 1995 | Hamar, Norway | 4 × 3 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Danilova / Gavrylyuk / Lazutina | |
| 17 | 12 February 1995 | Oslo, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Danilova / Lazutina / Gavrylyuk | |
| 18 | 17 March 1995 | Thunder Bay, Canada | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Championships[1] | 1st | Danilova / Lazutina / Gavrylyuk | |
| 19 | 26 March 1995 | Sapporo, Japan | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Gavrylyuk / Lazutina / Martynova | |
| 20 | 1995–96 | 17 December 1995 | Santa Caterina, Italy | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 1st | Lazutina / Gavrylyuk / Yegorova |
| 21 | 14 January 1996 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 1st | Nageykina / Lazutina / Gavrylyuk | |
| 22 | 2 February 1996 | Seefeld, Austria | 6 × 1.5 km Team Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd | Zavyalova | |
| 23 | 10 March 1996 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Gavrylyuk / Lazutina / Yegorova | |
| 24 | 1996–97 | 24 November 1996 | Kiruna, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 1st | Gavrylyuk / Lazutina / Yegorova |
| 25 | 8 December 1996 | Davos, Switzerland | 4 × 5 km Relay C | World Cup | 2nd | Gavrylyuk / Lazutina / Yegorova | |
| 26 | 15 December 1996 | Brusson, Italy | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Gavrylyuk / Danilova / Yegorova | |
| 27 | 19 January 1997 | Lahti, Finland | 8 × 1.5 km Team Sprint F | World Cup | 2nd | Gavrylyuk | |
| 28 | 28 February 1997 | Trondheim, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Championships[1] | 1st | Danilova / Lazutina / Gavrylyuk | |
| 29 | 9 March 1997 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Danilova / Lazutina / Gavrylyuk | |
| 30 | 16 March 1997 | Oslo, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Danilova / Gavrylyuk / Nageykina | |
| 31 | 1997–98 | 7 December 1997 | Santa Caterina, Italy | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Chepalova / Lazutina / Danilova |
| 32 | 14 December 1997 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 4 × 5 km Relay F | World Cup | 1st | Nageykina / Lazutina / Danilova |
Note: 1 Until the 1999 World Championships and the 1994 Olympics, World Championship and Olympic races were included in the World Cup scoring system.
Personal life
Formerly she was married to Estonian cross-country skier Urmas Välbe. Together they had one child, Franz. She then married Maxim Dovolnov and gave birth to Polina and Varvara. She now lives in Moscow Oblast.[7]
In popular culture
- White Snow – a biographical sports drama film about Välbe.
References
- ^ a b "Bumpy course for new FIS President Eliasch as the sport's heartlands revolt". www.insidethegames.biz. May 29, 2022.
- ^ "VM i Trondheim i 1997" (in Norwegian). Ski-VM 2011 AS. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
- ^ Mattias Karen (February 27, 2015). "La revanche des Norvégiennes" [Norwegian Revenge]. Le Devoir (in French). Associated Press. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
- ^ "Presidential elections in Norway, Russia". Retrieved February 24, 2013 October 21, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Eirik Borud, Ole Kristian Strøm (December 6, 2012). "Denne kvinnen er Russlands nye landslagssjef" [This woman is Russia's new coach]. Verdens Gang (in Norwegian). Retrieved February 24, 2013.
- ^ "VAELBE TRUBITSINA Elena". FIS-Ski. International Ski Federation. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- ^ Глава Федерации лыжных гонок России Елена Вяльбе, которой исполнилось 50 лет
External links
- Elena Vaelbe Trubitsina. at the International Ski Federation
- at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 2007) - click Holmenkollmedaljen for downloadable pdf file (in Norwegian)
- at the Wayback Machine (archived February 24, 2007) - click Vinnere for downloadable pdf file (in Norwegian)