The former cross-country skier and now WC manager Åge Skinstad is worried about the development.
– These are very important questions. Because we want the sport to survive for many, many more years, he says.
One consequence he sees is that competition schedules in the future will be adapted even more to the availability of snow – a pattern that is already visible in cross-country skiing, where the World Cup is held in Finland, Sweden and Norway at the beginning and end of the season.
Marketed as the most sustainable ever
It is also in the Nordic countries that the WC will be arranged in the future: 2025 in Trondheim, 2027 in Falun and 2029 in Lathis (which is the only candidate that has applied).
– We must focus on the cities where there is snow and we must produce artificial snow in a sensible and climate-friendly way, says Åge Skinstad.
The World Cup in Trondheim next year is marketed as the “most sustainable ever” – although, Skinstad admits, that is not something they can say with certainty.
– But we want to set a new standard. One example is that all transport of skiers, leaders, journalists and others to and from Granåsen (the ski center in Trondheim) must be done with electric cars and electric buses.
“I think it’s an important symbol”
– The goal is for the WC in Falun 2027 to beat us and actually be even better than we are in terms of sustainability. These are issues we are already discussing with them, says Åge Skinstad.
Critics might say that talking about sustainable championships is just empty words or a marketing ploy, is it?
– If you think that a skiing association or a skiing championship can change the world, then maybe it can. But I think it is an important symbol. Many look up to these athletes, and then it is important to show that it is possible to do things in a new way.