PLANICA (Dagbladet): Cross-country skiing continues to grow. Prior to this year’s season, it had been decided that the women and men would cover the same distance, and during the finale last year’s season, two different mixed relays were tested on the Falun.

Earlier this season, the mixed relay was held in Beitostølen, and will also be in Falun later this year.

If some small country in the cross-country circus is successful, cross-country skiing will follow, for example, biathlon in the future. They wanted shorter drills, team sprints and preferably races with the women and men on the same starting line.

– I hope they get more mixed relays and team sprints. We are a small team ourselves, and I believe this is a good development for us and other small countries. The FIS has to do something for the smaller nations, said Germany coach Markus Cramer, who is in charge of Italy.

He continued:

– I’m sure they should think more in this direction. We need it to make cross-country skiing more attractive to smaller countries.

The future of cross-country skiing was discussed at a team management meeting in Toblach in February. Among other things, it is discussed why there are so few women taking part in Davos (39 athletes) and Livigno (38).

Cramer believes the International Ski Federation (FIS) is listening to small nations, but offers a warning:

– Michal Lamplot (racing director, cross-country skiing) understands that they have to think differently, even if not everything needs to change. When you see that we have less than 40 women at the start of some races this year, we have to ask ourselves why. My personal opinion is that equal spacing for men and women is stupid. It’s hard for me to understand. I hope they will think about it again. This destroys development for small countries.

German sporting director Peter Schlickenrieder completely agrees with his Italian counterpart when it comes to team training:

– That is a good idea. We need quicker team drills. The audience also likes. It’s important to point out that this is not just an individual sport. It helps to show young children that it’s a fun sport that you do together.

– Will it help reduce the distance between countries?

– No, we have to take other measures there. Take the WC as an example. There are 150 athletes at the start for men here. Why? I believe it’s because it’s only allowed to have four at the start of each state. We have to use the rules we have here in the World Cup as well. No one understands why Norway suddenly has ten athletes, while other countries only have two. he confessed.

Jostein Vinjerui, who is in the UK coaching team, is also in favor of more team sprints. He pointed out that several countries could fight for the spot if that happened. For Great Britain, for example, sixth place in the team sprint at the World Cup was a huge boost.

Norway previously said they were ready to test longer distances at the World Cup and championships. Women’s coach Stig Rune Kveen also supports her:

– We depend on helping develop the sport, and we are passionate about that. New things are happening all the time, and we like to keep track of there. We are open to change, and want to be part of that ball, Stig Rune Kveen told Dagbladet.

Dagbladet has submitted proposals from these countries to FIS cross-country skiing director Michal Lamplot.

– FIS loves team practice. We have two team sprints and a mixed relay on the race calendar this year. There’s more to it than before. I feel like we have a good practice mix now. We can’t have it every weekend, but it’s possible to have it more often than we do now.

He pointed out that it is important for FIS to maintain a balance in the schedule and have a varied program.

– Do you think there will be more team drills, such as team sprints and mixed relays in the future?

– To be honest, I was disappointed in several countries when we held a classic relay in Toblach. There are several countries on the starting line. I wasn’t impressed. At the same time, mixed relays have been popular, so we may have more of them in the future.