Four weeks ago he skied on snow for the first time in his life, but Edward Limbaga is currently competing in the cross-country skiing World Cup. A special rule from the world association FIS allows this for the 48-year-old Filipino, whose dream is to take part in the Olympics. But his prominent competitors are not particularly enthusiastic.
Edward Limbaga’s foray into the cross-country skiing World Cup is being viewed increasingly critically by some experienced professionals. Thanks to a special FIS rule, the 48-year-old Filipino is allowed to compete in the first league like some of his competitors from Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago, Chile, Morocco, Lebanon and other countries without a great winter sports history in order to meet the qualification criteria for the Olympic Games.
The problem: The “exotics” become a safety risk for the professionals from Europe and America on the track.
In Trondheim, for example, a video made the rounds showing Limbaga falling awkwardly on a descent. While he is getting up, one of his ski poles breaks. Meanwhile, three runners come from behind at high speed and have to get out of the way. With difficulty and hardship they succeeded. For Limbaga it was one of three crashes that day.
“That’s just nonsense”
“That’s dangerous and the reason why you start with children’s races and not in the World Cup,” Austrian Mika Vermeulen complained to “NRK” about the “brake blocks” on the track. “That’s just nonsense. This is the highest level and I think there should be certain criteria for those who start here.”
The FIS came to a different conclusion when defining its regulations. The association allows weaker athletes to take part in all World Cup races before Christmas in order to meet the Olympic qualification criteria. A good idea in itself, just one with side effects.
“These guys can’t even ski. You can see that he [Limbaga] “I can’t drive a curve like other drivers in this race,” Norwegian Jan Thomas Jenssen also complained about the beginners on the slopes.
Not good advertising for the sport?
Meanwhile, Vermeulen sees another problem: “I don’t think it’s good advertising for the sport if a Filipino who has only been skiing for a few weeks and who falls flat on every descent is allowed to compete.” Jenssen added: “I know the FIS is trying to get them to the Olympics, but they are ruining a lot for the people who come here and want to run fast.”
Meanwhile, FIS race director Michal Lamplot explained that the “exotics” should usually start at the back so as not to get in the way, but this was not possible in Trondheim due to the tight schedule. “Otherwise the competition would have lasted too long and would have gotten in the way of the Nordic Combined race,” he tells “NRK”.
“I try to stay out of the way”
And what does Limbaga himself have to say about all the excitement? “I try to follow the rules as best I can and stay out of the way when a competitor comes from behind. There’s a lot of space and often you’re alone anyway. I think and hope that everyone is good enough to stay out of the way.”
In the end things went well in Trondheim. Limbaga was overtaken by countless runners, but did not cause any accidents involving third parties. He crossed the finish line in 111th place out of 111 starters. While winner Einar Hedegart needed 23:02 minutes for the 10 km, it took the 48-year-old 23:29 minutes longer before he crossed the finish line.