The Scandinavian countries have agreed that they want to get rid of the 50-k mass-start race. Central European countries are however fine with this new race format.
Source: Skidsport.com
Representatives from the Worlds ski federations are meeting for the FIS conference in Vilamoura, Portugal. The 50-k mass-start is one of the most important issues on the agenda.
– I’m hoping for individual start 50-k already in this winter’s Worlds in Sapporo, says Swedish national team skier Anders Sodergren.
The Scandinavian skiers and their federations want the individual start back in the Championship’s longest race.
The Olympic 50-k in Turin has again made this a hot issue.
Most of the field stayed together for a nice tour for 48-kilometer, before the race was decided up the last long hill and in the downhills towards the finish. That kind of racing is boring compared to the individual starts 50-k according to the the Scandinavians.
Scandinavia won’t get their wish however without backing from more countries and intense lobbying is currently going on inside FIS.
Related stories: di Centa Wins Second Gold in 50K Free http://www.fasterskier.com/racing3160.html Olympic Men's 50K Photos http://www.fasterskier.com/racing3161.html
The FIS congress will also decide who will get 2011 Worlds. The candidates are Oslo, Norway, Val di Fiemme, Italy and Zakopane, Polen
