Cross-country skiing : “By lengthening the course, we’re favouring endurance specialists”, regrets Kristine Stavaas Skistad’s coach, Lage Sofienlund
This Tuesday, the world’s fastest cross-country skiers meet on the pite di Tesero (Italy) forthe classic sprints of the Milan/Cortnia 2026 Games. Just over a month ago, the cross-country skiers discovered this track in real life during the dress rehearsal organised during the Tour de Ski. The first verdict left no one indifferent, athletes or fans alike.
What immediately stood out was the length of the course. Race times far exceeded the usual sprint standards, with a victory in over 3 minutes 20 for the men and over 3 minutes 40 for the women.
By way of comparison, at the World Cup in Ruka (Finland), the finals were decided in around 2 minutes 30 for the men and 3 minutes for the women. A significant difference, which has reignited the debate on the evolution of the sprint format.
Because the discussion is about more than just the route. It touches on the very philosophy of the sprint. For the Olympic Games, it has been decided that women and men will cover exactly the same distance. A choice strongly criticised by Kristine Stavaas Skistad‘s coach, Lage Sofienlund.
” I find it absurd to think that girls and boys should run the same distance. Equality isn’t about the same distance, it’s about the same chances,” he told NRK. In his opinion, the gradual lengthening of the courses is threatening the very identity of the discipline: ” Sprinters are comparable to 400 to 800 metre runners in athletics. By lengthening the course, we are favouring endurance specialists.
Former cross-country skier and NRK consultant Paal Golberg agrees and is categorical: ” It’s a clear disadvantage for Kristine [Stavaas Skistad]. She has gone from being the favourite to simply having to fight for a place in the final. The same analysis was made by Maja Dahlqvist of Sweden, who felt that the very principle of equality was being misapplied: ” It ‘ s a mistake to think that everyone should race the same distance. An equal race time would be much fairer.
On the other hand, a number of athletes defended this tough route, believing it to be more in keeping with the demands of an Olympic event. ” It really feels like an Olympic course,” said American Julia Kern at Fasterskier after the Tour de Ski sprint. ” It’s very difficult. There are technical descents, big climbs… there’s everything. “
Compatriot Jessie Diggins is equally enthusiastic: ” It’s a particularly demanding course. I love the fact that it’s a long climb and that there are real overtaking opportunities.
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