Vladimir Smirnov (skier)

For other people named Vladimir Smirnov, see Vladimir Smirnov (disambiguation).

Vladimir Smirnov

Full name

Vladimir Mikhaylovich Smirnov

Born

7 March 1964
Shuchinsk, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union

Height

1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)

Ski club

Stockviks SF

World Cup career

Seasons

1982–1998

Individual wins

Indiv. podiums

Overall titles

2 (1990–91, 1993–94)

Medal record

Asian Winter Games
Competitor for the Soviet Union
Competitor for Kazakhstan
Men's cross-country skiing
Olympic Games
	1994 Lillehammer	50 km
	1988 Calgary	30 km
	1988 Calgary	4×10 km relay
	1994 Lillehammer	10 km
	1994 Lillehammer	Combined pursuit
	1988 Calgary	15 km
	1998 Nagano	Combined pursuit
World Championships
	1989 Lahti	30 km
	1995 Thunder Bay	10 km
	1995 Thunder Bay	Combined pursuit
	1995 Thunder Bay	30 km
	1987 Oberstdorf	4×10 km relay
	1991 Val di Fiemme	30 km
	1993 Falun	Combined pursuit
	1993 Falun	10 km
	1991 Val di Fiemme	15 km
	1993 Falun	30 km
	1995 Thunder Bay	50 km
	1999 Gangwon	15 km
	1999 Gangwon	4×10 km relay
	1999 Gangwon	30 km

Vladimir Mikhaylovich Smirnov (Russian: Влади́мир Миха́йлович Смирно́в; born 7 March 1964) is a Kazakhstani former cross-country skier who raced from the 1982 until 1991 for the USSR and, later, for Kazakhstan. He is the first Olympic champion from independent Kazakhstan. He is also a vice president of the International Biathlon Union. Smirnov is a former member of International Olympic Committee.^[1]

Early life

Smirnov was born in Shchuchinsk, Kazakh SSR. During the Soviet period, he trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Alma-Ata.

Career

Smirnov in 1994

Smirnov made his debut in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup on 18 December 1982 at Davos in a 15 km race, finishing in a 17th place. His first victory came in 1986, a classic style 15 km in Kavgolovo (URS). Smirnov gained a total of 30 victories in the World Cup, with 21 second and 15 third places. In 1994, he won the aggregate World Cup, thanks to seven victories in the course of the season.

At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships from 1987 to 1997, Smirnov totalled four gold (1989: 30 km, 1995: 10 km, 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit, 30 km), four silver (1987: 4x10 km, 1991: 30 km, 1993: 10 km, 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit) and three bronze medals (1991: 15 km, 1993: 30 km, 1995: 50 km). His best result was in Thunder Bay, Ontario (1995), when he won three events.

In 1994, he received the Holmenkollen Medal (shared with Lyubov Yegorova and Espen Bredesen). Smirnov also won twice at the Holmenkollen ski festival with a 15 km win in 1994 and a 50 km win in 1995.

A very regular and effective cross-country skier, especially in long-distance classic style races, Smirnov took part to the Winter Olympics from 1988 to 1998. His best known victory was the 50 km gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, the first Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan. He was one of the leading characters of that Olympics, as his unending rivalry with home ever-winning Bjørn Dæhlie had gained him the affection of the Norwegian audience. He also became good friends with his rival Dæhlie, even participating with Dæhlie in several popular Norwegian TV shows.

In 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Smirnov was flag-bearer of Kazakhstan Olympic team and won the bronze medal in the 25 km pursuit event.^[1]

Smirnov headed the bid committee to have Almaty, Kazakhstan, host the 2014 Winter Olympics, a bid that failed to make the short list that was announced by the International Olympic Committee on 22 June 2006.^[1] In 2011, Smirnov participated at the opening ceremony of 2011 Asian Winter Games in Astana.

Personal life

In the 1990s Smirnov lived in the Swedish city of Sundsvall, where he was a co-founder and co-owner of a local brewery. He is married to Valentina Smirnova, and they have two daughters – Anna and Karolina. Smirnov speaks four languages: Russian, German, English and Swedish.^[2]

Career highlights

Olympic Games: 1988 – Calgary 2nd, 30 km C; 1988 – Calgary 3rd, 15 km C; 1988 – Calgary 2nd, 4x10 km relay; 1994 – Lillehammer 2nd, 10 km C; 1994 – Lillehammer 2nd, 25 km M pursuit; 1994 – Lillehammer 1st, 50 km C; 1998 – Nagano 3rd, 25 km M pursuit

World Ski Championships: 1987 – Oberstdorf 02 ! 2nd, 4x10 km relay; 1989 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1991 – Val di Fiemme 02 ! 2nd, 30 km C; 1991 – Val di Fiemme 03 ! 3rd, 15 km F; 1993 – Falun 03 ! 3rd, 30 km C; 1993 – Falun 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1993 – Falun 01 ! 2nd, 25 km M pursuit; 1995 – Thunder Bay 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1995 – Thunder Bay 01 ! 1st, 10 km C; 1995 – Thunder Bay 01 ! 1st, 25 km M pursuit; 1995 – Thunder Bay 03 ! 3rd, 50 km F

Asian Winter Games: 1999 – Gangwon 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1999 – Gangwon 01 ! 1st, 4×10 km relay; 1999 – Gangwon 03 ! 3rd, 30 km F

World Cup overall: 1985/86 – 03 ! 3rd; 1990/91 – 01 ! 1st; 1991/92 – 03 ! 3rd; 1992/93 – 02 ! 2nd; 1993/94 – 01 ! 1st; 1994/95 – 02 ! 2nd; 1995/96 – 02 ! 2nd; 1997/98 – 03 ! 3rd

World Cup podiums: 1984 – Murmansk 02 ! 2nd, 15 km C; 1985 – Labrador City 02 ! 2nd, 15 km C; 1986 – La Bresse 02 ! 2nd, 30 km C; 1986 – Kavgolovo 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1986 – Cogne 03 ! 3rd, 15 km F; 1986 – Davos 02 ! 2nd, 30 km C; 1988 – Kavgolovo 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1988 – Calgary 02 ! 2nd, 30 km C; 1988 – Calgary 03 ! 3rd, 15 km C; 1989 – Kavgolovo 02 ! 2nd, 15 km C; 1989 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1990 – Reit im Winkl 01 ! 1st, 30 km F; 1990 – Örnsköldsvik 03 ! 3rd, 30 km C; 1990 – Tauplitz 03 ! 3rd, 25 km M pursuit; 1990 – Davos 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1990 – Les Saisies 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1991 – Minsk 01 ! 1st, 15 km F; 1991 – Val di Fiemme 02 ! 2nd, 30 km C; 1991 – Val di Fiemme 03 ! 3rd, 15 km F; 1991 – Lahti 02 ! 2nd, 30 km F; 1991 – Silver Star 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1992 – Kavgolovo 03 ! 3rd, 30 km C; 1992 – Funäsdalen 03 ! 3rd, 30 km F; 1992 – Ramsau 02 ! 2nd, 10 km F; 1992 – Ramsau 03 ! 3rd, 15 km C; 1992 – Val di Fiemme 01 ! 1st, 30 km F; 1993 – Bohinj 01 ! 1st, 15 km F; 1993 – Falun 03 ! 3rd, 30 km C; 1993 – Falun 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1993 – Falun 01 ! 2nd, 25 km M pursuit; 1993 – Lahti 02 ! 2nd, 30 km F; 1993 – Santa Caterina 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1993 – Toblach 01 ! 1st, 10 km C; 1993 – Toblach 01 ! 1st, 15 km F; 1994 – Kavgolovo 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1994 – Oslo 01 ! 1st, 15 km F; 1994 – Lillehammer 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1994 – Lillehammer 02 ! 2nd, 25 km M pursuit; 1994 – Lillehammer 01 ! 1st, 50 km C; 1994 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 15 km F; 1994 – Kiruna 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1994 – Sappada 03 ! 3rd, 10 km F; 1995 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 15 km F; 1995 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1995 – Falun 03 ! 3rd, 30 km C; 1995 – Oslo 01 ! 1st, 50 km C; 1995 – Thunder Bay 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1995 – Thunder Bay 01 ! 1st, 10 km C; 1995 – Thunder Bay 01 ! 1st 25 km M pursuit; 1995 – Thunder Bay 03 ! 3rd, 50 km F; 1995 – Sapporo 02 ! 2nd, 15 km F; 1995 – Vuokatti 01 ! 1st, 10 km C; 1995 – Davos 02 ! 2nd, 30 km C; 1995 – Brusson 03 ! 3rd, 15 km F; 1995 – Santa Caterina 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1995 – Santa Caterina 03 ! 3rd, 15 km F; 1996 – Strbske Pleso 01 ! 1st, 50 km F; 1996 – Nove Mesto 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1996 – Kavgolovo 02 ! 2nd, 15 km C; 1996 – Trondheim 01 ! 1st, 30 km F; 1996 – Falun 01 ! 1st, 10 km F; 1996 – Falun 01 ! 1st, 15 km C; 1997 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 30 km C; 1997 – Beitostoelen 02 ! 2nd, 10 km C; 1997 – Val di Fiemme 03 ! 3rd, 10 km C; 1998 – Lahti 01 ! 1st, 30 km C

Сonfirmed by Official FIS Results

References

1 2 3 Vladimir Smirnov. sports-reference.com
↑ Владимир Смирнов: «И после спорта судьба продолжает мне улыбаться». skisport.ru (interview in Russian) 25 October 2008

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Vladimir Smirnov (skier).

Vladimir Smirnov at the International Ski Federation
Vladimir Smirnov at the 1998 Nagano Olympics

Olympic champions in men's 50 km cross-country

World champions in men's 10 km cross-country

1991: Terje Langli (NOR) 1993: Sture Sivertsen (NOR) 1995: Vladimir Smirnov (KAZ) 1997: Bjørn Dæhlie (NOR) 1999: Mika Myllylä (FIN)

World champions in men's cross-country combined/double pursuit

10 km + 15 km combined	1993: Bjørn Dæhlie (NOR) 1995: Vladmir Smirnov (KAZ) 1997: Bjørn Dæhlie (NOR) 1999: Thomas Alsgaard (NOR)

10 km + 10 km combined	2001: Per Elofsson (SWE)

10 km + 10 km double	2003: Per Elofsson (SWE)

15 km + 15 km double	2005: Vincent Vittoz (FRA) 2007: Axel Teichmann (GER) 2009: Petter Northug (NOR) 2011: Petter Northug (NOR) 2013: Dario Cologna (SUI) 2015: Maxim Vylegzhanin (RUS)

World champions in men's 30 km cross-country skiing

1926: Matti Raivio (FIN)
1954: Vladimir Kuzin (URS)
1958: Kalevi Hämäläinen (FIN)
1962: Eero Mäntyranta (FIN)
1966: Eero Mäntyranta (FIN)
1970: Vyacheslav Vedenin (URS)
1974: Thomas Magnuson (SWE)
1978: Sergey Savelyev (URS)
1982: Thomas Eriksson (SWE)
1985: Gunde Svan (SWE)
1987: Thomas Wassberg (SWE)
1989: Vladimir Smirnov (URS)
1991: Gunde Svan (SWE)
1993: Bjørn Dæhlie (NOR)
1995: Vladimir Smirnov (KAZ)
1997: Alexey Prokurorov (RUS)
1999: Mika Myllylä (FIN)
2001: Andrus Veerpalu (EST)
2003: Thomas Alsgaard (NOR)

Holmenkollen Medal

1895: Viktor Thorn (NOR)
1897: Asbjørn Nilssen (NOR)
1899: Paul Braaten (NOR), Robert Pehrson (NOR)
1901: Askel Refstad (NOR)
1903: Karl Hovelsen (NOR)
1904: Harald Smith (NOR)
1905: Jonas Holmen (NOR)
1907: Per Bakken
1908: Einar Kristiansen (NOR)
1909: Thorvald Hansen
1910: Lauritz Bergendahl
1911: Otto Tangen (NOR), Knut Holst (NOR)
1912: Olav Bjaaland (NOR)
1914: Johan Kristoffersen (NOR)
1915: Sverre Østbye (NOR)
1916: Lars Høgvold (NOR)
1918: Hassa Horn (NOR), Jørgen Hansen (NOR)
1919: Thorleif Haug (NOR), Otto Aasen (NOR)
1923: Thoralf Strømstad (NOR)
1924: Harald Økern (NOR), Johan Grøttumsbråten (NOR)
1925: Einar Landvik (NOR)
1926: Jacob Tullin Thams
1927: Hagbart Haakonsen (NOR), Einar Lindboe (NOR)
1928: Torjus Hemmestveit (NOR), Mikkjel Hemmestveit (NOR)
1931: Hans Vinjarengen (NOR), Ole Stenen (NOR)
1934: Oddbjørn Hagen (NOR)
1935: Arne Rustadstuen (NOR)
1937: Olaf Hoffsbakken (NOR), Birger Ruud (NOR), Martin P. Vangsli (NOR)
1938: Reidar Andersen (NOR), Johan R. Henriksen (NOR)
1939: Sven Selånger (SWE), Lars Bergendahl (NOR), Trygve Brodahl (NOR)
1940: Oscar Gjøslien (NOR), Annar Ryen (NOR)
1947: Elling Rønes (NOR)
1948: Asbjørn Ruud (NOR)
1949: Sigmund Ruud (NOR)
1950: Olav Økern (NOR)
1951: Simon Slåttvik (NOR)
1952: Stein Eriksen (NOR), Torbjørn Falkanger (NOR), Heikki Hasu (FIN), Nils Karlsson (SWE)
1953: Magnar Estenstad (NOR)
1954: Martin Stokken (NOR)
1955: Haakon VII (NOR), Hallgeir Brenden (NOR), Veikko Hakulinen (FIN), Sverre Stenersen (NOR)
1956: Borghild Niskin (NOR), Arnfinn Bergmann (NOR), Arne Hoel (NOR)
1957: Eero Kolehmainen (FIN)
1958: Inger Bjørnbakken (NOR), Håkon Brusveen (NOR)
1959: Gunder Gundersen (NOR)
1960: Helmut Recknagel (GDR), Sixten Jernberg (SWE), Sverre Stensheim (NOR), Tormod Knutsen (NOR)
1961: Harald Grønningen (NOR)
1962: Toralf Engan (NOR)
1963: Alevtina Kolchina (URS), Pavel Kolchin (URS), Astrid Sandvik (NOR), Torbjørn Yggeseth (NOR)
1964: Veikko Kankkonen (FIN), Eero Mäntyranta (FIN), Georg Thoma (FRG), Halvor Næs (NOR)
1965: Arto Tiainen (FIN), Bengt Eriksson (SWE), Arne Larsen (NOR)
1967: Toini Gustafsson (SWE), Ole Ellefsæter (NOR)
1968: Olav V (NOR), Assar Rönnlund (SWE), Gjermund Eggen (NOR), Bjørn Wirkola (NOR)
1969: Odd Martinsen (NOR)
1970: Pål Tyldum (NOR)
1971: Marjatta Kajosmaa (FIN), Berit Mørdre Lammedal (NOR), Reidar Hjermstad (NOR)
1972: Rauno Miettinen (FIN), Magne Myrmo (NOR)
1973: Einar Bergsland (NOR), Ingolf Mork (NOR), Franz Keller (FRG)
1974: Juha Mieto (FIN)
1975: Gerhard Grimmer (GDR), Oddvar Brå (NOR), Ivar Formo (NOR)
1976: Ulrich Wehling (GDR)
1977: Helena Takalo (FIN), Hilkka Kuntola (FIN), Walter Steiner (SUI)
1979: Ingemar Stenmark (SWE), Erik Håker (NOR), Raisa Smetanina (URS)
1980: Thomas Wassberg (SWE)
1981: Johan Sætre (NOR)
1983: Berit Aunli (NOR), Tom Sandberg (NOR)
1984: Lars-Erik Eriksen (NOR), Jakob Vaage (NOR), Armin Kogler (AUT)
1985: Anette Bøe (NOR), Per Bergerud (NOR), Gunde Svan (SWE)
1986: Britt Pettersen (NOR)
1987: Matti Nykänen (FIN), Hermann Weinbuch (FRG)
1989: Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi (FIN)
1991: Vegard Ulvang (NOR), Trond Einar Elden (NOR), Ernst Vettori (AUT), Jens Weißflog (GER)
1992: Yelena Välbe (RUS)
1993: Emil Kvanlid (NOR)
1994: Lyubov Yegorova (RUS), Vladimir Smirnov (KAZ), Espen Bredesen (NOR)
1995: Kenji Ogiwara (JPN)
1996: Manuela Di Centa (ITA)
1997: Bjarte Engen Vik (NOR), Stefania Belmondo (ITA), Bjørn Dæhlie (NOR)
1998: Fred Børre Lundberg (NOR), Larisa Lazutina (RUS), Alexey Prokurorov (RUS), Harri Kirvesniemi (FIN)
1999: Kazuyoshi Funaki (JPN)
2001: Adam Małysz (POL), Bente Skari (NOR), Thomas Alsgaard (NOR)
2003: Felix Gottwald (AUT), Ronny Ackermann (GER)
2004: Yuliya Chepalova (RUS)
2005: Andrus Veerpalu (EST)
2007: Frode Estil (NOR), Odd-Bjørn Hjelmeset (NOR), Harald V (NOR), Sonja (NOR), Simon Ammann (SUI)
2010: Marit Bjørgen (NOR)
2011: Ole Einar Bjørndalen (NOR), Michael Greis (GER), Andrea Henkel (GER), Janne Ahonen (FIN)
2012: Magdalena Neuner (GER), Emil Hegle Svendsen (NOR)
2013: Tora Berger (NOR), Martin Fourcade (FRA), Therese Johaug (NOR), Gregor Schlierenzauer (AUT)
2014: Magnus Moan (NOR), Eric Frenzel (GER), Thomas Morgenstern (AUT), Darya Domracheva (BLR)
2015: Eldar Rønning (NOR), Anders Bardal (NOR), Anette Sagen (NOR), Kamil Stoch (POL)

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