The Endurance World Cup continues in North America with competitions in Canadian Canmore and American Minneapolis February 7-15.
For cost reasons, several teams will send smaller squads than usual. One of them is Norway – with the world’s best men’s team.
Last fall, the Norwegian federation decided to only send skaters in the International Ski Federation, Fis, red group (the skaters who are top 15 in sprint and distance in the last 12 months).
The riders in that group receive a contribution to travel and hotel costs from Fis regardless of the competition location.
“Very sad”
Jan Thomas Jenssen, who has a podium from the Tour de Ski and a 20 kilometer freestyle victory from the premiere in Ruka, is one of those denied the trip.
– I think it’s very boring. There are two distances there that would have suited me well and which I am not allowed to ride.
How does it feel to be stopped because of finances?
– Very sorry. We are the best nation in the world on the men’s side, and I think it’s a shame that we don’t have enough sponsorship to be able to send the very best regardless of where we are in the world. I hope we can have a better economy going forward.
“The journalists stay at home”
Interest in cross-country skiing in Norway is declining, which is not least visible among the media on site at the World Cup. In the Swiss Goms this weekend, only broadcasting Viaplay and NRK were present among the Norwegian media.
– I have spoken to newspapers and media in Norway where the journalists feel at home. It won’t get any easier with sponsors when we become less visible, says Jenssen.
According to VG it costs the association at least SEK 60,000 to send a rider outside the red group to North America.
– It is extremely expensive to send people there. I don’t want to comment on the sponsor situation but understand that skaters who are quite close are disappointed, says national team manager Ulf Morten Aune to the newspaper.
2024-02-01 11:43:10
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