Holmenkollen will not be skiing for 50 kilometers this year, but will take place next week in Salpausselä, Lahti, as a final trip to the World Cup.
14: 00 • Updated 15:01
Sports follows the weekend of winter sports from 13th to 16th March. In this article. The program includes Nordic skiing, biathlon and alpine skiing.
Holmenkollen’s 50 kilometers of one of the most legendary cross -country skiing competitions will not be skiing this season.
On the other hand, the Oslo skiing skiing will compete on the weekend with a 20 -kilometer traditional and 10 kilometer free start.
Due to the lack of snow, ski trails stay near the stadium, and skiers do not reach the forest sections with the most spectators.
Swedish ski star William reindeer Last Saturday finished second in the World Cup 50 kilometers. He regrets the lack of a classic race in the race calendar.
– It’s boring. I really don’t understand this. Holmenkollen’s 50 kilometers of the People’s Festival is the largest ski event, reindeer quoth For the Norwegian VG.
“Kollen” has been skiing for men’s 50 kilometers since 1902, with a few exceptions each year. The last Finnish winner is Harri Kirvesniemiwho was number one in traditional skiing in 2000. Iivo Niskanen has been at its best second in 2017.
The last time 50 kilometers was not skiing in 2021 due to the corona pandemia and before that in 2009 due to the construction of the stadium.
Long journeys in a few
The renowned competition has suffered from a shortage of participants in recent years. For example, after the Planica World Championships in 2023, many athletes left Holmenkollen, where a week after 50 kilometers of the World Cup was skied.
Kollen will be skiing again this weekend after the end of the World Cup, but the traditional 50km race will only take place next week in the Salpausselkä Lahti World Cup.
Ireland Thomas Maloney Westgård calls for athletes responsibility for the situation. He is ranked 22nd in the Normal Tour World Cup.
– It is a pity that the race will not be skiing this year. We athletes have not been enough on the starting list. I am in favor of participating in two 50 kilometers. Yes, our training volumes should take it, Westgård said.
Men and women have skied the same trips to the World Cup since 2022-2023. Westgård from Norway and Ireland’s dual citizens recalls that before the race rarely less than 20 kilometers. Today, longer races are rare.
– I think it’s idiotic. Holmenkollen’s soul is 50 kilometers. It must be returned to the race calendar as soon as possible, Westgård insists.
The 50 kilometer race is expected to ski again in Holmenkollen next winter.
Corrected at 3:00 pm: Harri Kirvesniemi won in 2000, not 2001, as the case was initially incorrectly written.