At the Nordic World Ski Championships in Planica, Slovenia, the sometimes empty ranks in the competition venues caused great dismay among ski jumpers, cross-country skiers and combined athletes. A winter sports star is now urgently warning that the mistakes of the World Cup organizers will be repeated in the future.
“We shouldn’t make the same mistake as in Planica,” Norway’s combined athlete Jörgen Graabak told his compatriots, who are responsible for preparing the next Nordic World Ski Championships, in an interview with “NRK” with a view to the ticket prices for spectators. Because: The next World Cup will take place in 2025 in Trondheim, Norway.
Graabak has clear ideas about how the World Cup should take place in his home country. “It has to be a World Cup for everyone, we have to create a folk festival,” said the 31-year-old.
In Planica, day tickets for the grandstand cost up to 99 euros, and standing room should still cost 64 euros. Too much for the otherwise so enthusiastic winter sports Slovenes, who mostly stayed away from the big event. As a result, numerous places were free both on the ski jump and in the cross-country stadium.
Jörgen Graabak: “Everyone has their limits”
There was criticism from all sides. “It’s just too expensive,” says cross-country national coach Peter Schlickenrieder. “I think the organizer gambled too high.” Schlickenrieder was certain that “it will be different” in Trondheim.
A hope that the combiner Graabak now shared. “The Norwegians will come, I’m absolutely sure of that. But it’s clear that you can’t screw up the ticket prices. Everyone has their own limit as to what they’re willing to pay. We have to make sure that as many people as possible are can afford the trip,” said the four-time Olympic champion, who also won the gold medal with the Norwegian team in Planica. It was the third World Cup gold for the native of Trondheim.