Former Norwegian national team skier Kristen Skjeldal disagrees with the complaints regarding the steepness and length of the finale uphill in the last stage of Tour de Ski. — This is the future for cross country skiing, says the veteran.
 use single-pole skating, and I view that as a positive addition, and not as a change of the sport, says Skjeldal.</p>
<p> —That was hard for many, but that’s what it’s supposed to be. It’s supposed to be hard to compete in cross country skiing and the last uphill in Tour de Ski fascinated me.</p>
<p>Tour de Ski has frequently been compared to cycling, a comparison Skjeldal is happy to stretch further. </p>
<p>— In cycling there is an enormous difference in the pace on the flat stages versus the climbing stages, but no one is complaining about hard uphills and low speed there. </p>
<p>The future of the uphills<br />
Skjeldal would like to see more uphills and suggests a new event for cross country skiing: uphill races! — Pure uphill races would be a great addition to the sport. 10 kilometer uphill races would be fun to watch and good TV entertainment. A test of endurance and strength that could attract athletes of many levels, says Skjeldal.</p>
<p>Sprint has developed a new type of ski racers and Skjeldal doesn’t see any reason why uphill races shouldn’t be able to do the same. — Uphill races are in my opinion more fair and exciting than sprint races. Crashes, pole-breaks and someone winning right at the end has less to with cross country skiing than uphills, says the veteran, which sees room for both disciplines. </p>
<p>An entertaining Tour<br />
It’s regardless of viewpoints and opinions hard to describe the last stage of the Tour as anything but dramatic and exciting. And it’s especially the entertainment value Skjeldal noted. — A lot happened in a short time frame up the last hill, and that’s great entertainment. That characterized the whole Tour as well.</p>
<p>Frequent races, events from sprints to 30 kilometers and bonus seconds along the way made this exciting. — I’m very positive to this format, said Skjeldal, and once for all got rid of being labeled as a conservative ski racer.</p>
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