Key Takeaways from the FIS Cross-Country Committee Autumn Meetings 2024

Tour de Ski

Exciting changes are on the horizon for the Tour de Ski this season. One major update is the introduction of a special climber's bib, which will be worn by the leader of the climbers' category. This athlete will not only don the bib but also receive a front-row starting position. Additionally, prize money will now be awarded to the top three finishers in the final Tour de Ski climbers’ standings.

The Sprint standings have also undergone modifications. While the basic structure remains, the leader in the Sprint category will enjoy the same front-row starting advantage. Moreover, the prize pool for the final Tour de Ski Sprint standings has been expanded, now recognizing the top six competitors instead of just three.

The time limits for the Tour have been updated as follows:

Interval Start (5 km or more)

• More than 20% behind the leader for both women and men.

Prologue and Short Interval Start (less than 5 km)

• More than 23% behind the leader for both women and men.

Final Climb (Mass Start)

• More than 30% behind the leader for both women and men.

In special circumstances, the jury retains the discretion to adjust these percentages.

Format Changes

Engadin

• The 20 km Mass Start Free race will now follow an A to B format along the scenic routes of the Engadin Ski Marathon.

Oslo

• Oslo will host two Interval Start competitions: a 20 km Classic on Saturday and a 10 km Free on Sunday.

Lahti

• Sprint events are slated for Friday, with the Team Sprint scheduled for Saturday.

Common Waxing in Tallinn, Estonia

The FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Tallinn will continue to implement the common waxing concept, a strategy designed to reduce costs for national teams by limiting the number of technicians and equipment required.

ICR 2023/24

During the meetings, discussions also touched on how to handle unexpected race interruptions. The jury will be empowered to respond in cases where protests disrupt events, assessing each situation based on its unique circumstances, as not all incidents can be anticipated by existing rules. Minor updates and corrections to the ICR were also made.

Sub-Committee for Rollerskiing

Martins Niklass, the FIS Rollerski Coordinator, shared exciting plans for the upcoming World Cup season. The season is set to commence with four stops, beginning on July 10, 2025, in Otepää, Estonia.

An updated FIS Rollerski World Cup schedule for 2025 will be made available upon confirmation.

JWSC & U23 WSC Dates

For junior athletes, this season’s prominent events, the Junior World Ski Championships (JWSC) and U23 Championships, are scheduled to take place in Schilpario, Italy, from February 3 to February 9, 2025. Subsequently, Trondheim, the host of this year’s World Championships, will hold the Junior World Championships in 2026 from March 2 to March 8. Furthermore, it was decided that Schuchinsk, Kazakhstan, will serve as the host venue for the JWSC & U23 events in 2027.