1. Career
Denis Spitsov officially began his professional cross-country skiing career with his World Cup debut in Davos, Switzerland, on 9 December 2017. Since then, he has consistently competed at the highest levels of international cross-country skiing, participating in major events such as the Winter Olympics, World Championships, and the World Cup series. He has completed five seasons on the World Cup circuit, spanning from the 2017-18 season to the 2021-22 season. During this period, he recorded one individual World Cup victory and one team World Cup victory. Overall, he has accumulated six individual podium finishes and four team podium finishes in World Cup events. He has competed in 72 individual starts and 6 team starts. He finished ninth in the overall World Cup standings during the 2020-21 season, marking his best performance in the overall classification.
2. Competition Results
Denis Spitsov has competed extensively in various international cross-country skiing competitions, achieving notable results across multiple categories.
2.1. Olympic Games
Spitsov has earned a total of five medals at the Winter Olympic Games: one gold, three silver, and one bronze.
At the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, at the age of 21, he secured a bronze medal in the men's 9.3 mile (15 km) freestyle interval race. He also won two silver medals: one in the men's team sprint alongside Alexander Bolshunov, and another in the men's 4 × 6.2 mile (10 km) relay. Additionally, he finished fourth in the 19 mile (30 km) skiathlon and placed 20th in the 31 mile (50 km) classical mass start.
At the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, at the age of 25, Spitsov won a gold medal in the men's 4 × 6.2 mile (10 km) relay. He also earned a silver medal in the 19 mile (30 km) skiathlon. He finished sixth in the 31 mile (50 km) freestyle mass start.
| Year | Age | 15 km individual | 30 km skiathlon | 50 km mass start | Sprint | 4 × 10 km relay | Team sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 21 | Bronze | 4 | 20 | - | Silver | Silver |
| 2022 | 25 | - | Silver | 6 | - | Gold | - |
2.2. World Championships
Spitsov has participated in the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 2019 in Seefeld, Austria, at the age of 22, he competed in the 19 mile (30 km) pursuit, finishing 22nd, and the 31 mile (50 km) freestyle mass start, where he placed 28th.
| Year | Age | 15 km individual | 30 km skiathlon | 50 km mass start | Sprint | 4 × 10 km relay | Team sprint |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 22 | - | 22 | 28 | - | - | - |
2.3. FIS Cross-Country World Cup
Spitsov has consistently been a competitor in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup series, achieving significant standings and podium finishes in both individual and team events.
2.3.1. Season Standings
His World Cup season standings reflect his performance across various disciplines and ski tours.
| Season | Age | Discipline standings | Ski Tour standings | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | Distance | Sprint | U23 | Nordic Opening | Tour de Ski | Ski Tour 2020 | World Cup Final | ||
| 2018 | 21 | 20 | 15 | Not classified | 4 | - | 13 | - | 10 |
| 2019 | 22 | 18 | 16 | 62 | - | 27 | 8 | - | 37 |
| 2020 | 23 | 15 | 16 | 30 | - | - | 11 | 21 | - |
| 2021 | 24 | 9 | 4 | Not classified | - | - | - | - | - |
| 2022 | 25 | 14 | 13 | Not classified | - | - | 4 | - | - |
2.3.2. Individual Podiums
Spitsov has recorded one individual victory and a total of six individual podium finishes in World Cup events, including five Stage World Cup podiums and one overall World Cup podium for a multi-stage tour.
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2017-18 | 7 January 2018 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 5.6 mile (9 km) Pursuit F | Stage World Cup | 3rd |
| 2 | 2018-19 | 1 December 2018 | Lillehammer, Norway | 9.3 mile (15 km) Individual F | Stage World Cup | 3rd |
| 3 | 2020-21 | 5 January 2021 | Toblach, Italy | 9.3 mile (15 km) Individual F | Stage World Cup | 2nd |
| 4 | 10 January 2021 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 6.2 mile (10 km) Mass Start F | Stage World Cup | 1st | |
| 5 | 1-10 January 2021 | Tour de Ski | Overall Standings | World Cup | 3rd | |
| 6 | 2021-22 | 4 January 2022 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 6.2 mile (10 km) Mass Start F | Stage World Cup | 2nd |
2.3.3. Team Podiums
He has achieved one team victory and a total of four team podium finishes, all in relay events.
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place | Teammates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018-19 | 9 December 2018 | Beitostølen, Norway | 4 × 4.7 mile (7.5 km) Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Belov / Bolshunov / Melnichenko |
| 2 | 27 January 2019 | Ulricehamn, Sweden | 4 × 4.7 mile (7.5 km) Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Belov / Bessmertnykh / Maltsev | |
| 3 | 2019-20 | 8 December 2019 | Lillehammer, Norway | 4 × 4.7 mile (7.5 km) Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Larkov / Semikov / Melnichenko |
| 4 | 1 March 2020 | Lahti, Finland | 4 × 4.7 mile (7.5 km) Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Semikov / Bessmertnykh / Melnichenko |
2.4. Junior and U23 World Championships
Spitsov has also had a successful junior career, earning several medals at the Junior and U23 World Championships.
At the 2018 U23 World Championships in Goms, Switzerland, he won a gold medal in the 19 mile (30 km) skiathlon and a silver medal in the 9.3 mile (15 km) classical race.
At the 2017 U23 World Championships in Park City, United States, he secured two bronze medals: one in the 9.3 mile (15 km) freestyle and another in the 19 mile (30 km) skiathlon.
At the 2015 Junior World Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan, he earned a gold medal in the 4 × 3.1 mile (5 km) relay and a silver medal in the 6.2 mile (10 km) freestyle. He also won a bronze medal in the 12 mile (20 km) skiathlon.
At the 2016 Junior World Championships in Râșnov, Romania, he obtained a silver medal in the 4 × 3.1 mile (5 km) relay and a bronze medal in the 9.3 mile (15 km) freestyle.
2.5. Other Competitions
Spitsov has competed in other significant international events, including the Military World Games. At the 2017 Winter Military World Games in Sochi, Russia, he won a silver medal as part of the 9.3 mile (15 km) freestyle team event.
3. Personal Life
On 10 February 2022, Denis Spitsov, who previously held the rank of senior lieutenant in the National Guard of Russia, was promoted to the rank of captain. This promotion was awarded by the Director of the National Guard of Russia following his medal-winning performances at the 2022 Winter Olympics.