PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The ladies’ five-mile in Holmenkollen was historic in many ways.
But criticism has not been kind after the famous ski race.
– It’s embarrassing, says Viaplay’s expert Anna-Karin Strömstedt.
The five miles in Holmenkollen became skiing history in so many different ways. For the first time ever, the ladies would make up over five kilometers at the World Cup, but it would be an extremely strange race in Norway.
Ski criticism
The huge criticism and dissatisfaction has been extremely clear with running such tough competitions so close to a skiing WC. And it would also be a historically poor implementation in Holmenkollen.
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It already started on Saturday, when the men’s five-mile had only 36 riders who came to the start. The weakest line-up on the men’s side in the World Cup in twelve years, actually.
Frida and Ebba
When the ladies were to compete on Sunday, it then got even worse. The big talking point was that both pre-favourites Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson chose to drop out due to illness.
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Subsequently, only 32 women riders made it to the starting line for the historic five-mile, never before have there been so few riders in a World Cup race in history. And then twelve riders were from Norway and only three from Sweden.
“I’m pissed off”
The historically lousy number has drawn strong criticism after the race.
– It’s embarrassing, says Viaplay’s length expert Anna-Karin Strömstedt in the broadcast.
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But even in Norway, the disappointment is total and the anger great.
– It is very worrying. I spoke to Norway’s men’s coach Arild Monsen, who was pissed off and sad about the situation. So even in Norway they think this is wrong. Right here in Holmenkollen, more people should be involved, says TV expert Strömstedt.
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Response to criticism
Head of length at the International Ski Federation, FIS, Michel Lamplot has responded to the criticism and explains how difficult it has been with the tight competition schedule and the skiing WC so close. Because already that week it’s time for new competitions in Holmenkollen when the Biathlon World Cup comes to visit.
Lamplot understands the criticism that has arisen, but still wants to put his foot down.
– It seems that people forget that there is more than cross-country skiing. We come to Oslo with two other disciplines, ski jumping and Nordic combination. This weekend is important for them so we have to adapt to their calendar as well, says the cross country manager to Norwegian NRK.
The ladies’ historic five-mile race in Holmenkollen also got to see double Norwegian at the top when Ragnhild Haga won, before Astrid Öyre Slind. Trea became the world champion in skiathlon, Jessie Diggins.
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