Trouble after boycott: Things are simmering in the cross-country skiing scene

When it comes to cross-country skiing, the Nordic countries, especially the Norwegians, have been the benchmark for years. In the coming weeks, however, the World Cup will have to make do without the top nations: In addition to the Norwegians, the Swedes and the Finns have also announced that they will no longer be taking part in any World Cup races for the time being due to the Corona situation.

While the latter two are skipping the competitions in Davos and Dresden in December, Norway's withdrawal is likely to take a lot longer. The cross-country skiing “Elks” have announced that they will also be foregoing the Tour de Ski at the beginning of January. The portal Dagbladet even reported that the Norwegians around the superstars Therese Johaug and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo will no longer compete in any races until the World Ski Championships in Oberstdorf at the end of February. The World Cup becomes a side note The reason for the waiver is said to be the strict quarantine regulations in Norway: after every trip to a risk area you would have to be in isolation for 10 days. However, there is definitely the possibility of a special permit for competitive athletes. This is precisely why there is so much anger in the cross-country skiing scene: Without the top nation(s), the World Cup is only half as valuable and interesting, and organizers fear high losses.

Federico Pellegrino wants to take part in the races just out of respect. © TT NEWS AGENCY / ANDERS WIKLUND

“It certainly doesn’t serve the purpose of the sport, to stop at short notice and not run. It is important for the small nations that the races take place,” says top Swiss cross-country skier Dario Cologna to View . He is bothered by the egoism that Norwegians show. “They just run the Norwegian Cup at the weekend. This is exactly what they see on TV, and the sponsors have their presence. But all other nations suffer.”

“I feel a certain responsibility towards the people who make this all happen.” Federico Pellegrino Federico Pellegrino, currently the best cross-country skier in Italy, has also commented on this topic. “I respect the decision not to start. For my part, I think that the risk of taking part in a race in Davos is calculable. If you take part in a roller ski race in the summer and fall, your career can be just as jeopardized. The risk of infection can never be ruled out, but we will take part in the races - also because I have a certain responsibility towards those people who do everything to ensure that we can compete at all. Put pressure on the FIS? The boycott by the top nations could also have another reason: The FIS pushed through the normal World Cup calendar this year and actually hardly reacted at all to the corona pandemic - which is causing dissatisfaction among many nations. But: Already in the summer, an adapted calendar was proposed by the German and Swiss sides, which was also rejected by the Scandinavians, among others. “It is therefore very disappointing and not entirely fair that they are canceling now,” says Swiss cross-country skiing boss Christian Flury, for example.

One person who is really afraid of the virus is Norway's star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. “I think I will never win a cross-country ski race with 3 percent less lung capacity,” he said in an interview. That's why the 24-year-old has resolutely isolated himself with his girlfriend.

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Trouble after boycott: Things are simmering in the cross-country skiing scene

The Cross Country World Cup continues this weekend. Before the races in Davos, in which the South Tyrolean Michael Hellweger will also be there, there is great discontent among the athletes. The reason: a boycott.

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