Norway’s great legend barks about the country’s skiing supremacy

Martin Johnsrud Sundby was the skiing star of the 2010s.

Norwegian skiing legend Martin Johnsrud Sundby warns that Norway’s superiority in cross-country skiing threatens to destroy the entire sport.

Sundby was shocked by the results of the Holmenkollen 50 km race, where 10 Norwegians were among the top 12.

Sundby proposes setting cost ceilings, equalizing equipment differences and limiting the number of Norwegian participants in international competitions.

Norwegian superiority in cross-country skiing cannot continue like this. How to download a newspaper VG:lle the country’s skiing legend Martin Johnsrud Sundby.

Sundby tells VG that he was shocked by the results list of the Holmenkollen 50 km race. It was topped by eight Norwegians. There were ten of them in the top 12.

Norway’s superiority has only grown in recent years, especially in men’s skiing. The country has superior resources compared to its competitors, above all after Russia was shut out of international competitions after the start of the war in Ukraine.

Norway’s superiority makes the whole sport cold, says Sundby,

“If we don’t do anything about the current imbalance of the sport, soon there won’t be any sport left,” Sundby says.

According to him, Norway has budget, equipment and fitness superiority. If the situation continues, cross-country skiing will die out.

“We are now more or less dead,” says Sundby.

According to legend, the competition is more equal on the women’s side. Swedish skiers Frida Karlsson with the lead, they really hit the nail on the head.

VG:n own research according to Norway’s supremacy did not start until Russia’s collar in 2022, but already in 2019.

Sundby says that if he were still an active athlete, he would “slaughter” an expert who spoke like he does now. But the eyes no longer have Norwegian glasses.

“Alternatives must be looked for to equalize the punts. No one can disagree that this is necessary. We must get rid of external influencing factors. The whole system must be precisely blamed. Almost all the benefits must be taken away from Norway.”

According to Sundby, the costs of cross-country skiing must be drastically cut by, for example, setting a per-athlete cost ceiling or equalizing the differences in equipment and equipment preparation. Norwegian coaches would also be allowed to share their knowledge more widely. In addition, Sundby supports limiting the number of Norwegian participants in international competitions.

VG:n according to the FIS competition director of the International Ski Federation Michal Lamplot says that Norway’s superiority cannot be attributed only to superior resources.

Lamplot says that a new ski cream test will be introduced next season. The number of test skis is also limited.

Sundby warns that action must be taken soon.

“The top of men’s skiing is frighteningly narrow. It almost doesn’t even exist. Before the Olympics this year, it was impossible to name anyone other than a Norwegian skier as a medal favorite. Only Russia’s absence can’t be blamed for this.”

Johannes Hösflot Kläbo won no less than five Olympic golds at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.

By Editor