Cross-country skier Mårten Skinstad criticized race director

Mårten Skinstad criticized race director Torbjørn Broks Pettersen for the presence of stones on the track after a disappointing prologue at the cross-country skiing season opener. The controversy heightened after fellow competitor Amund Korsæth suffered a dislocated shoulder during a fall caused by the track conditions.

In an interview, Skinstad vented his frustrations, stating that the conditions were unacceptable and noted an abundance of stones on the course, which could have been avoided. He said, "There are stones everywhere, how can that be allowed?"

The situation escalated at the finish line, where Skinstad confronted Pettersen directly, expressing his lack of respect for him as a race director, saying, "You are the person in Ski-Norway I have the least respect for."

In response to the criticism, Pettersen acknowledged the issues and stated that they were actively trying to improve the track conditions but admitted that some problems had arisen due to the nature of man-made snow.

Experts have different opinions about the conditions, with some agreeing with Skinstad while others defended the race organizers, citing the challenging weather conditions leading up to the event. Despite the drama, Johannes Høflot Klæbo emerged victorious in the finals, demonstrating an impressive performance.

Overall, the event was marked not just by competition but also by significant discussions regarding track safety and management within the sport of cross-country skiing.