inghies cannot be used, local people sail on ice boats.
Equestrianism has been a long tradition, popular among the Tsars and aristocracy, as well as part of the military training. Several historic sports arenas were built for equestrianism since the 18th century, to maintain training all year round, such as the Zimny Stadion and Konnogvardeisky Manezh among others.
Chess tradition was highlighted by the 1914 international tournament, in which the title "Grandmaster" was first formally conferred by Russian Tsar Nicholas II to five players: Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Tarrasch and Marshall, and which the Tsar had partially funded.
Kirov Stadium (now demolished) was one of the largest stadia anywhere in the world, and the home to FC Zenit St. Petersburg in 1950�1993 and 1995. In 1951 the attendance of 110,000 set the record for the Soviet football. In 1984, 2007, 2010 and 2011/2012 Zenit became champions of the Soviet and Russian leagues, respectively, won the Russian Cup in 1999 and 2010, won the UEFA Cup 2007�08 season and the 2008 UEFA Super Cup. Zenit currently plays their home games at Petrovsky Stadium. The new stadium, which will host the 2018 FIFA World Cup matches, is currently in construction, replacing the Kirov stadium. 11 player played for Russia national football team: Vyacheslav Malafeev, Aleksandr Anyukov, Roman Shirokov, Konstantin Zyryanov, Sergei Semak, Igor Denisov, Vladimir Bystrov, Viktor Fayzulin,Aleksandr Bukharov, Aleksandr Kerzhakov and Maksim Kanunnikov
Hockey teams represented SKA Saint Petersburg from KHL, HC VMF St. Petersburg from VHL ; SKA-1946 and Silver Lions from MHL. SKA Saint Petersburg is one of the favorites from KHL, the team played well-known players Maxim Afinogenov, Patrick Thoresen, Dmitri Kalinin,Petr Pr?cha and Viktor Tikhonov (ice hockey b
