Guess You’ve Heard It – TdS Final Climb Is Going To Be Massstart

Guess You’ve Heard It – TdS Final Climb Is Going To Be Massstart

Leaders, Newsfeed
FIS Conference in Dubrovnik introduced yet another change: Alpe Cermis climb, the last stage of Tour de Ski is reverting to being a mass-start again. For once it's hard to complain: overtaking on that almost 400 meter altitude gain climb is going to be quite a show for all spectators. Participants, however, are not universally keen: Sjur Røthe, one of the world's best climbers ,already spoke negatively about the change.
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Holmenkollen Changes Back To Individual Start

Holmenkollen Changes Back To Individual Start

Newsfeed
Hello, yesterday! From 2021 Holmenkollen 30/50k race, the only long-distance competition on the World Cup roster, is going back to being an individual start race. It was that in the past but since 2009 it's a mass start, alternating between classic and freestyle. Let us guess: ski purists will love it, less discerning/younger crowd - not so much. TV bosses - even less so. Pictured: start of 30k C at Holmenkollen-2019
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Summerski Project Is Taking Shape – And Needs Your Help

Summerski Project Is Taking Shape – And Needs Your Help

Gear News, Newsfeed
Remember the Summerski Project, a valiant effort by Lars Englund from Bollnäs, Sweden to develop & promote plastic surface that feels exactly like snow? It's moving forward - here you see the first Summerski track taking shape: [caption id="attachment_11550" align="alignnone" width="1280"] the first Summerski track is being built on the property of Bollegården Sports Hotel that Lars Englund owns[/caption] Mr. Englund and his partner & adviser in the project, none else but all-time-great Thomas Wassberg ( yes, the Olympic champion of Lace Placid, Sarajevo and Calgary) hope to have the track finished early summer and already plan the first competition, scheduled for late August. [caption id="attachment_11549" align="alignnone" width="1280"] the track is going to run some 400 meteres on the loop and have a few ( gentle) climbs. The profile actually…
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FIS On Prohibition Streak – More News From Conference In Dubrovnik

FIS On Prohibition Streak – More News From Conference In Dubrovnik

Leaders, Newsfeed
Equal the field of play by limiting the ski testing possibilities ahead of races as much as possible: that the gist of new package of measures debated at the FIS Conference ongoing in Dubrovnik. Including but not limited to: - restrictions on skiing on the actual race trail both the day before and on the actual day of the competition. - limits on how many ski testers each national team could use. - limit the number of skis being tested. That's not it. Stay tuned for more bans & restrictions under discussion
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FIS Moves To Level Field, Bans Grinding Machines At Olympics And World Cup

FIS Moves To Level Field, Bans Grinding Machines At Olympics And World Cup

Gear News, Newsfeed
We all know that professional sport is unfair. Technical sport like cross country skiing - double so. For a while now the battle for medals was largely happening between the teams that could afford $500K+ wax trucks Packed to the brim with the latest technology - including, arguably, the most important device of all: portable grinding machines. Well, no more - this week FIS introduces a ban on bringing of grinding machines to the Olympics, the World Championship and the World Cup in attempt to remove at least one important advantage rich teams hitherto had. Remains unclear how compliance with new regulations is going to be checked. On the photo: inside Team Russia truck. Along with the Norwegians, the Swedes etc., the Russians made a good use of portable grinding…
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