September 29, 2016 (Canmore, AB) – In the season’s first edition of Talkin’ With the Gravey Train, our host Peter Graves talks with Russian-born Canadian, Ivan Babikov, who recently turned from cross-country skier racer to coach of Canada’s national team. Babikov has been competing at the national level since 2002 and was awarded his Canadian citizenship in December of 2007. He officially became a Canadian ski racers in January of 2009.

Ivan Babikov © Pam Doyle

Babikov turned heads during his career winning his first stage World Cup at the grueling finale up Alpe Cermis at the Tour de Ski in 2009. He went on to claim two more World Cup podium results along with three 4th-place finishes and a handful of top-10s. At the 2013 FIS World Nordic Championships in Val di Fiemme he finished 4th in the men’s 15km Freestyle race. Prior to coming to Canada he amassed 33 individual career wins for Russia from 2003 to 2006.

Babikov wins the final stage at the Tour de Ski in 2009 © Nordic Focus

Many will recall his strong finishes at Vancouver 2010 Games where he was 5th in Pursuit and 8th in the men’s 15km Freestyle event. The popular athlete turned coach is very excited about his new position with Cross Country Canada (CCC) and in this interview he speaks on a variety of topics including his new job.

Interview with Ivan Babikov

Ivan Babikov (CAN) © Angus Cockney

Ivan Babikov was the top NA skier overall and came second on the TdS Stage 7 up Cermis © Nordic Focus

Ivan Babikov (Can) © Nordic Focus

Ivan Babikov at the at the first day of official training for the Ski Tour Canada © Pam Doyle