– It is an important and historic decision. This was said by the outgoing leader of the cross-country committee in FIS, Vegard Ulvang, according to Dagbladet when the committee last week decided that women and men will from now on walk the same distances in the World Cup in cross-country skiing. 57 percent of the committee members voted in favor of the proposal. Afterwards, it was decided that 10, 15, 20 and 50 kilometers are the distances to be used, in addition to sprints. WANT EQUAL DISTANCES: Vegard Ulvang. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB The final decision will be made at the FIS congress in Milan on Wednesday, but all indications are that the proposal will be adopted. But now NRK can reveal that the proposal is in direct conflict with what a clear majority of the athletes in the World Cup themselves want. Almost nine out of ten say no NRK has gained access to the annual survey among World Cup athletes. 114 athletes from 25 different nations, with an average of six years’ experience from the World Cup, responded to the survey. When asked whether men and women should have the same distances (regardless of length), 73 percent answered no. If you isolate the female practitioners in the survey, as many as 88 per cent said no. Opposition to equal distances was thus significantly greater among women than for men. ATTORNEY REPRESENTATIVE: Virginia de Martin Topranin is surprised by the results of the survey, but is clear that they will speak on behalf of the athletes in Milan. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB The results surprise Italian Virginia de Martin Topranin, who is the athlete’s representative on the cross-country committee. – We asked about almost the same thing a few years ago, and then the athletes were more for equal distances. Suddenly the result was different this year. So it was a little surprising for us, she says to NRK. The survey also asked a follow-up question about which three distances the athletes would choose, provided that equal distances were adopted. 10 km won in front of 15, 20, 30 and 50 km. Femmila is thus the least desired exercise among the active. Nevertheless, it is likely that both women and men will walk five miles in Holmenkollen this winter. Will stop the proposal Virginia de Martin Topranin is clear that they will speak on behalf of the practitioners during the FIS Congress in Milan. – It is very important that we get to say our opinion. Martti Jylhä, who is the athlete’s representative with me, will vote against this proposal in Milan. We have done everything we can in this case, says Topranin. The Italian does not want to reveal what she herself thinks about equal distances, but she believes that some fear that women’s cross-country skiing will be less entertaining when the distances become longer, such as five miles. – A 50 kilometers may lead to greater distances in the field. At the same time, there have been great distances with Therese Johaug in recent seasons, so it is not certain that distances are the point here, she says. Weng critical To NRK, the Norwegian cross-country profile Heidi Weng is crystal clear on what she thinks about equal distances for women and men. – I’m not in favor of the proposal. We spend more time on the same distance and are then out longer than the guys are. So I hope this is not going to happen. To get the excitement up, in with 7.5 / 5 kilometers. More who will fight for the podium, Weng believes. THE CROSS-COUNTRY COUNCIL COMMITTEE: Guri Knotten replaces Vegard Ulvang in the cross-country committee of FIS. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB Knotten: – Many welcome five miles Guri Knotten is Norway’s new representative in the cross-country committee of FIS after Vegard Ulvang. The former cross-country coach thinks – like Ulvang – that women and men should go the same distance. – At the same time, I have a great understanding that today’s practitioners may have some reservations about changing a program, says Knotten. Although the results of the survey are crystal clear, Knotten claims that she has got a different impression from talking to the practitioners. – I do not know if it is correct to say that the active are fighting against the proposal. Most people I talk to think equal distances are perfectly in place. And there are many who welcome five miles, and have stated that. It is a good and important decision, she says.
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Athletes are desperately trying to stop five-mile proposals – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
