Following a path laid down by Ivan Babikov, another Russian athlete is making a bid to ski for Canada.
Leysan Valiunllina, 26, came to Canada in 2012 to train with the Biathlon Alberta Training Centre under the watchful eye of coach Richard Boruta. Born in Lyantor, Siberia, and having trained with the Moscow ski team, she decided to make the change to further her goals in sport.
“When I left, it was my dream. I just moved because I chose to myself. I was thinking about my future and sport career. These were important to me,” Vailiunllina said.
She initially struggled with the elevation change and training load, as well as culture shock associated with leaving her family and friends in Russia.
“In Russia, I was always training on flat trails. We didn’t have elevation. (That change) was really hard for me. That was really hard for me to switch countries. I just left everything in Russia – my friends, my parents,” Vailiunllina said.
She didn’t make the progress she hoped with BATC, and last season switched her focus to cross-country skiing. She reconnected with her Moscow coach, and trained by herself in Canmore, logging between 5,000 and 6,000 kilometres on skis.
She travelled overseas and said she finished several “unofficial” races in Finland, Sweden and Belarus last winter, although she couldn’t ski for Canada or Russia.
“I couldn’t compete for Russia because I moved to Canada, and I couldn’t compete for Canada because I don’t have citizenship,” Valiunllina said. “My old team helped me with wax. They know me pretty well.” She says currently she has a permanent residency card.
Now, she works for Origins and trains in her off-hours, pursuing an athletic career. She’s reconnected with her old Russian coach, who is helping her train via Skype.
“He tried to give me good advice and tell me which way to go is better. He gave me ideas that really work for me.”
She said Cross Country Canada would help her after watching her compete in the NorAms this past weekend. She struggled with bad wax in the classic race, stating she wasn’t ready, and didn’t race in the skate or sprint races. She does plan to race in Sovereign Lake this weekend. That being said, she’s happy with the life she is building in Canmore.
“I am really happy in Canada. I tried to build my focus as an athlete and focus on things I can do when I finish my career,” Valiunllina said.
