The En+ Group, a leading vertically integrated aluminium and electric power producer, officially opened a modernised ski-biathlon complex, Angarsky, on Saturday, December 8, 2018. The upgrade was carried out on the initiative and with the support of Oleg Deripaska as part of the Let's Go Skiing! project. Investments totaled approximately 26.5 million rubles. On the same day, an En+ Group Cup cross-country skiing competition was held. Some 400 people participated. In total, about 600 people attended the opening of the ski-biathlon complex.

As part of the Let's Go Skiing project, the En+Group reopened the Angarsky ski-biathlon complex, had been upgraded in the fall of 2018. 

The upgrade included the renovation and expansion of the Irkutsk region's only 2.5 km illuminated roller ski track, and conditions were created to allow athletes to train for summer biathlon competitions. A 180 x 120 metre starting area was built, as well as a firing range (after the appropriate license is obtained, the new facility will be the only firing range of its kind in the Irkutsk region).

Photo: Alexey Golovschikov, Komsomolskaya Pravda

Moreover, new routes have been laid, while the existing ones have been expanded, meaning that the total length of the routes has been increased to 20 km by connecting the routes of the complex with those of the Zvezdny park-hotel and those of the Jubilee recreation centre. The Angarsky complex will now be able to host skiing and biathlon competitions at the national and district levels. This will help promote cross-country skiing and biathlon in the region and enable athletes to qualify for athletic performance categories without leaving the region.

An En+ Group Cup competition was held to mark the opening of the upgraded complex. The following people addressed the audience during the opening ceremony: EuroSibEnergo CEO Mikhail Khardikov (Eurosibenergo is a subsidiary of the En+Group), Angarsky Municipal District Mayor Sergey Petrov, the Irkutsk Region Sports Minister Ilya Reznik, the Chair of the Committee for Legislation on State Construction of the Region and Local Self-Governance of the Legislative Assembly of the Irkutsk Region Victor Poboikin, two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion in biathlon, honoured master of sports of the Russian Federation Anna Bogaliy (Novosibirsk).

All the participants in the races received participation medals. In addition, En+ Cups were awarded to: Artem Yasinsky as the youngest participant (who is still under the age of five), Victor Belyzh as the most senior participant (he is 62); Svetlana Stekatova, who finished first among girls in the 400 metre race; Andrey Voitenko, who finished first in the 400 metre race for boys; Luydmila Dasaeva, who finished first in the 1000 metre race for women, and Alezander Bukatich, who finished first in the 1000 metre race for men. 

The Let's Go Skiing! charity project was initiated in 2016 by Oleg Deripaska. It seeks to promote skiing as a sport and pastime and to organise ski clubs for those who love the sport. A key focus of the project is the modernisation of skiing infrastructure in the regions where the company has operations and subsidiaries. It is being implemented in the Irkutsk and Kemerovo regions, the Krasnoyarsk region, and the republics of Khakassia and Komi. Between 2016-2018, the mass ski events organised as part of the project have attracted over 42,000 people in 15 cities across Russia. 

There are plans within the framework of the project to hold a series of sports and fitness events for skiers in Irkutsk and Angarsk in January and February 2019.

Every year the En+ Group spends over 300 million rubles on various social projects in the Irkutsk region. A key component of the En+ social policy is the support and promotion of sports and fitness. The company regularly holds competitions for its employees, organises sporting events in the cities where it operates, and implements the Let's Go Skiing! project in conjunction with its partners. A key sports project is the sponsorship of the Baikal-Energy hockey team, which includes supporting both the main team and the youth hockey school which has some 280 students. In recent years, the team has won the Russian field hockey championship several times.
 

Photo: Alexey Golovschikov, Komsomolskaya Pravda

The Angarsky ski-biathlon complex is a unique venue, offering modern amenities for the development of biathlon and cross-country skiing in the Irkutsk region. The complex is located 14 km from Angarsk. On weekdays, the facility receives more than 150 visitors per day, and on weekends over 500 amateur skiers come here. 5 out of 7 events of the Irkutsk region's skiing championship are held at the Angarsky complex.

Mikhail Khodikov, EuroSibEnergo(an En+Group subsidiary) CEO, said:

" The upgrade of the Angarsky ski-biathlon complex at the initiative of Oleg Deripaska and with the financial support of the En+Group was part of our Let's Go Skiing! project, which we've been implementing since 2016. It's important that the complex remains open to everyone-- adults, children, amateurs and professional athletes. We are happy to present this gift to the city and the region because one of the top priorities of our company is health and fitness for everyone, which means not just our employees, but all the residents of the Irkutsk region. "

Sergey Petrov, Angarsk Municipal District Mayor, said:

" We are grateful to Oleg Deripaska and the management team at the En+ Group for the work they've done. The decision to modernise the Angarsky ski complex was made in September, and today we already have a beautifully renovated complex. Now it's certified for year-round training and competitions. The Complex offers ideal conditions for cross-country skiing and biathlon in terms of both terrain and infrastructure. It can also host ski events at the highest level. I want to emphasise that this venue is not just for Angarsk, but for the entire Irkutsk region. "

Anna Bogaliy, two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion in biathlon, honoured master of sports of the Russian Federation, said:

" This complex will serve as a launching pad for many young people interested in skiing and winter sports. It can also be used as a training facility for the Russian national team. The terrain here is ideal for honing one's skills at any level. It should be noted that it's vital to set a good example for children, and this includes introducing them to sports. This is how the road to Olympic gold begins.   "