Trying to Catch-Up on the Whirlwind of World Cup News

The Norwegian newspaper Dagbladet published a story Monday claiming the Norwegian Ski Federation would not send cross-country skiers to any remaining World Cups before the World Championships starting on February 23, in Oberstdorf, Germany. No official statement has been published by the Norwegian Ski Federation regarding a long-term Norwegian World Cup hiatus. Although, Dagbladet claims that is imminent.

It appears the rationale for a total withdrawal from World Cup races through February appears premised on rules applied to those leaving Norway and traveling to a “red zone” (regions where rates of transmission are high). Upon returning to Norway from a “red zone”, travelers must quarantine for ten days. The new governmental guidelines were posted on December 4, and extend until January 15. Such a lengthy quarantine, some have suggested, could impact an athlete’s preparations for the 2021 World Championships. (It is FasterSkier’s understanding that skiing/training would be allowed during the ten-day quarantine.)

According to the translated Dagbladet article, “The Norwegian Ski Association will not work to change the Norwegian quarantine provisions which in practice make it impossible to go international for Norwegian ski stars: The requirement for a 10-day quarantine with strict restrictions for training after a stay in so-called “red” countries, definitely puts Norway out of the World Cup.”

“This means that the Tour de Ski goes without Norwegian participation and that no Norwegian skiers will in principle go to any of the World Cup races that will be held before the start of the World Cup in Oberstdorf on 24 February,” claimed Dagbladet.

Dagbladet also reports that despite Norway’s pressure to reduce the number of races at the Tour de Ski, there was no compromise.

Swedish broadcaster SVT Sport also published a piece noting that Norway, Finland, and Sweden had advocated for changes to the Tour de Ski schedule.

“Sweden, Norway, and Finland wanted to see changes in the Tour de Ski’s structure. They wanted the tour to be decided in one country, in a maximum of one or two places, to reduce travel. But that will not be the case,” explained the translated SVT Sport article.

The Norwegian Ski Federation has released a statement explaining their reasons for not partaking in the Tour de Ski.“The health of athletes and support staff is our most important priority,” says cross-country manager Espen Bjervig according to a translation of the press release. “The risk involved in exposing a squad to Covid-19 weighs heaviest in the decision not to participate in the Tour de Ski. The main goal for cross-country skiing this season is the World Championships in Oberstdorf, continuds the cross-country manager who is concerned with being the best possible preparation for the championship with healthy athletes and support staff.”

FIS communicated Monday a statement clear in its intent, that the Tour de Ski goes on as planned: “Green light for FIS Tour de Ski,” was the FIS messaging.

“The FIS Tour de Ski remains as scheduled and was given green light as all health prevention plans of the local organizers in Val Müstair (SUI), Toblach (ITA) and Val di Fiemme (ITA) were approved by the respective governments,” wrote FIS.

In the FIS press release, the block quote below was attributed to Pierre Mignerey, FIS Cross-Country Race Director:

“All stakeholders have the responsibility to keep the World Cup stage a safe place. Overall, the organizing committees have done extraordinary work to fulfill special needs and a healthy work environment for the World Cup family. The coordination between the organizers of the Tour de Ski stages and FIS has been transparent from the beginning and therefore we are looking forward to go ahead as scheduled.”