Here’s what racers think about Dæhlie’s classic – VG

The cross-country legend said in an interview with VG earlier this week that there is cause for concern, as Norway has almost no competitors anymore. You think cross-country skiing has become too expensive and complicated. Therefore, you want to eliminate the classic style. Marit Bjørgen is one of those who have expressed that they do not agree with Dæhlie.

Background: Dæhlie’s “rescue proposal” for cross-country skiing

Teresa Johaug

– I think that classic should remain. It is even worse if we just go skating, the moments of tension decrease. It’s getting more boring to watch. Now you have in a classic way and skating, sprint, medium and long distance that provides different kinds of opportunities to perform. If you remove it, the tension will be less, says Johaug of Red Bulls “Janteloppet” in Hafjell.

– Are you afraid of the diversity of types of practitioners if you eliminate classical or other species?

– Yes, I’m sorry. It will be more boring to watch, I think that will be the consequence.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo

Klæbo believes that it is important to see the big picture before moving on to the level of detail, although he has no concrete suggestions as to what it might be.

– I think it is good that Dæhlie comes up with a proposal, and we should all participate in the discussion, the aim should be for interest to continue or preferably increase. There are several things that can be done before cutting a style, but it’s pretty clear that he’s onto something, says Klæbo.

He believes the key in the time ahead will be to see what major structural changes cross-country skiing can make.

Margrethe bergane

– I think we should preserve the classic, and it is an important part of cross-country skiing, and my impression is that there is also a desire for it at the international level at the youth level. At least I didn’t come down without explaining myself first.

– It is a challenge for Norway to dominate so much now, but it may fluctuate and look different in a few years. I can’t see that removing the classic is a solution. In my opinion, cross-country skiing should be a bit of everything with different styles and distances, says the 19-year-old who in February was proclaimed junior world champion in 15 km classic as well as bronze in 5 km freestyle and relays.

Pål Golberg:

– You have to look at cross-country skiing over time, and not just the last five or six years. I think it will be a quick conclusion. We do not go back to so many years in which Norway had not won a single edition of the Tour de Ski. In the early 2000s, Germany dominated the sport.

– If we look at the junior level, there is no great Norwegian dominance, neither in classical nor in skating.

– It is not correct to cut the classic, it is a starting style with a long history.

– What measures do you think can make cross-country skiing more interesting?

– Shorter distances of five and ten kilometers, and easier trails. The heavier and longer trails create more differences between nations, while the Americans, Germans, and other nations are involved when it changes. I think it is much better than eliminating a traditional technique.

Sjur Røthe:

– I have no special thoughts for or against the classic, but I do not agree that this is where the shoe hits the most in terms of getting more nations on top. I think the lack of snow is the biggest challenge.

Erik Valnes:

– I understand the idea, but not the logic. Norway took the triple win and had five in the top seven in 15km of skating in the WC, so we have to abolish skating as well.

– Certainly it is something correct from an economic perspective, but it is still completely free to train no matter what nation you come from.

Lotta Udnes Weng

– I don’t think the way forward is to get rid of the classic, says Lotta Udnes Weng (24).

– I think it is better to help smaller nations with recruitment and finances, he continues.

– Why keep the classic?

– If you eliminate the classic, there will only be fewer medal candidates and a narrower range of exercises. Lotta Udnes Weng believes that fewer can prevail.

– I don’t think there are many athletes who want to take off the classics.

However, he is concerned about how Norway can help other nations, in various ways. She believes Norway is open to sharing experiences with both lubrication and training.

– It may be better to plan the World Cup season so that the expenses are lower. Maybe we have something to learn from biathlon with a stricter competition schedule, so there will be fewer travel days compared to competition.

– New forms of competition are also possible. We see in biathlon that it has mixed relays. It can help small nations if they only need two of each sex.