This is an effort to summarize impressions from the inaugural Ski Tour 2020. At least we hope it’s inaugural and not a one-off event in the “gap year ” when there are no Olympics or the world championships.
We deliberately post this before the Tour’s end as there is enough info to convey and the most novel races have happened already.
Good:
Storlien-Meråker race (that became Meråker-Meråker but did not lose much of its core appeal). Cross country skiing has many woes but one of them is that the competitions became almost identical: sprints and 10/15k throughout the season. Any new length/ format adds to core fans interest and gives them something to discuss while attracting new audience. At least that’s the plan, presumably. In fact we got so impressed with Åre sprint that we’ll pen a separate story on that
Bad or needs improvement:
– Only a lazy reporter (and us here) did not write about logistical issues e.g. odd choice for waxing space in the same Åre. Annoying as they are, those are teething problems. Any new location for such a complex machine as the FIS World Cup on tour is bound to have them.
– The nation most consider to be essential for the future of xcskiing, wasn’t there. We are talking Germany, of course. Peter Schlikenrider, boss of the German team told the Daily Skier that the decision was made to prioritize training/ competing in the national championships. Sounds odd? Not really: the nationals are being held at exact time / place as the next year world championships , on Oberstdorf. Understandable yet still a big miss.
Just facts:
In conclusion:
Over 1000 people participated one way or another in organization of the events in all 5 venues ( sadly, Storlien had to be dropped off the list due to bad weather)
In conclusion:
Very promising event with a future, most definitely.
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