The International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation’s (Fis) competition director Pierre Mignerey, says in an interview in VG, that the financial situation is critical for several smaller cross-country skiing nations such as Switzerland, France and Italy and Great Britain.
It is the result of a long period of negative spiral with decreasing television times – often on pay channels – fewer sponsors, reduced public interest and fewer talents who want to ski.
This in turn leads to difficulties in creating organizations that can compete with giants such as Norway and Sweden.
“Question worth raising”
Guri Knotten, who is the new head of cross-country skiing in Switzerland, proposes in the Norwegian VG a joint herding team for all nations, in order to create financial conditions for more nations to conduct cross-country skiing at the top level.
That proposal is supported by Swedish national team skiers William Poromaa and Calle Halfvarsson:
— If everyone were to go on the same ramps, I think the smaller countries would save incredible money and it would be more even. We talk a lot about some nations having it tougher and we have to get everyone on board. This is an issue worth raising, says William Poromaa and continues:
— We already have this when we roller ski (check that all roller skis are the same). This is an issue worth raising.
William Poromaa mentions that cross-country competitions have already been arranged in Sweden, for example in the Scandinavian Cup, where the skiers compete on skis of the same width.
Swedish herd manager Petter Myhlback. Archive image.
Calle Halfvarsson agrees:
— It would make this sport fairer. It must be possible to get 60 pairs of skis if we run 60 people in the World Cup. Then it is possible to solve that you have skis that are very similar. This is a material sport and you should calm down the excitement that is in the material, he says.
The herd manager skeptical
Swedish herd manager Petter Myhlback, on the other hand, does not believe in the idea.
— I don’t think it will work in classic skating. There, it is individually structured how you want the attachment wall and the skis you want to go on, says Myhlback.
Swedish national team manager Anders Byström says that the idea of equally lined skis could become an issue for Fis.
— We will certainly discuss that in the Fis group in September, when we have a meeting. If there is a concrete proposal, it will be exciting to see how to do it in practical terms. We probably have to move towards equalizing the differences that are on the side of the track to make it a more even sport. Clearly, we have to see how more nations can participate and fight at the top, says Byström.