Therese Johaug thinks that cross-country skiing is going in the wrong direction.
Therese Johaug fears that the reform will increase level differences and reduce the interest of spectators in skiing. PASI LEISMA
– I have to say that I am very skeptical, skiing legend Therese Johaug said for NRK on Saturday.
The four-time Olympic champion retired last season, but is not excited about the reform of the International Ski Federation FIS next winter.
From November, men and women ski the same long distances in the World Cup. It means that the women’s longest distance is 50 kilometers instead of 30 kilometers.
In the future, in addition to the sprint, there will be races of 10, 20 and 50 kilometers, as well as a 10+10 kilometer combined race. FIS announced the reform in the spring.
From Johaug, change is a step in the wrong direction.
– I don’t think it fits the sport, at least in the future. We can already see that the trend in skiing viewership is decreasing.
– For years I heard that I ruined the sport because the difference between the others and me was too big or I won too clearly. That cross-country skiing is not popular in Central Europe, because many are far from the top, and it is not possible to build training opportunities for girls.
Johaug fears that as women’s journeys get longer, the differences will grow even bigger.
– The time difference only increases when women ski 50 kilometers. The TV viewers are thinking “my god, he’s winning by such a big margin, instead of second and third or fourth and fifth, there’s a huge difference.” There aren’t that many events in the race.
The Norwegian star admits that he would enjoy longer trips if he were still competing. Johaug was specifically a specialist in long distances.
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Therese Johaug would have benefited from the reform if she had continued her career. PASI LEISMA
Equalizing trips has been talked about for a long time. Part of the Swedish female skiers and a Norwegian ex-skier Vegard Ulvang have been speaking for change for years.
However, according to NRK, the majority of athletes are not excited about the reform.
Representing Norway in the FIS cross-country committee Guri Knotten understands the athletes’ concern, but is embarrassed by the information.
– I don’t know if it’s right to say this, but active people have fought against the proposal. Most people I’ve spoken to feel equal journeys are in order. Many welcome 50 kilometers.
In the spring, 57 percent of FIS member countries voted in favor of equalizing travel. The change was justified, among other things, by the fact that women can ski as long distances as men.
However, in the spring 2023 World Championships, men and women will ski 30 and 50 kilometers according to the “old competition program”. Bringing the reform to the value races will be discussed in the spring of 2023.