Despite being only three skiers in their national team, Great Britain has been rewritten for several years.
Partly for their sporting success. Andrew Musgrave and Andrew Young have both reached the podium in the World Cup and impressed even during championships.
Partly for his outspokenness. The British team has always been open with their criticism of what they perceived as mistakes in the ski world.
But now the team is under threat.
The reason?
Beijing Olympics this winter.
– Yes, that is the main reason, says Jostein Vinjerui, the national team captain.
Threatened – after the failure in Beijing
A modest twelfth place (Musgrave) as the best result was a big disappointment. Not only for the riders themselves – but also for UK Sport. The latter is the British state equivalent of SOK, which distributes grants among the Olympic sports.
And after the Olympic miss, UK Sport now threatens to stifle the money for cross-country skiing brutally.
– Right now it does not look promising. The situation does not feel directly optimistic, says Jostein Vinjerui.
– This money has been vital to our investment. Without them, there will be major limitations.
For example?
– We have to cut back on everything. Cut down on competition, cut back on ramparts, coaches and the medical team. We may only be able to afford to compete in the World Cup races that take place in Sweden and Norway.
How does this feel?
– It’s very boring. Especially for the younger skiers who are on their way up now. We can not offer them what they need.
“It feels hopeless”
– The worst case scenario will throw British cross-country skiing 20 years back in time. It feels hopeless.
Will you even have the job left?
– I do not know.
On 21 July, a definitive announcement is expected from UK Sport about the contributions for next season. And skier Andrew Young is worried.
– It does not feel good at all. Yes, we underperformed last winter – but at the same time I mean that over the past four years we have made so many good results that it should be enough for a further investment, says Young.
How does this affect your own career?
– I want to invest four more years until the next Olympics. But it depends on whether there will be any investment in the British team. Right now it feels a little hopeless.
TV: Hear the tribute song to James Clugnet
–
