Germany's Success in Skiing – The Rescue for the Sport?

Germany has firmly positioned itself as a top nation in cross-country skiing, especially noticeable in the wake of Russia's exclusion following their invasion of Ukraine. As a result, there has been growing concern about the future of the sport and its international appeal amidst overwhelming Scandinavian dominance.

In the past season, German competitors achieved 15 podium finishes in the World Cup, which is significantly higher than previous years. This success has spurred newfound national interest in skiing, with TV coverage increasing by over 100 hours compared to three years ago, and viewership numbers nearly doubling as Germans embrace their nation’s resurgence in the sport.

SVT sports expert Anders Blomquist emphasized Germany's commercial importance for the sport's development. He noted that having multiple competitive countries enhances the drama and interest within competitions, making it crucial to prevent a single nation from monopolizing success.

Katharina Hennig, a prominent German skier, echoed this sentiment, expressing envy over the enthusiastic support for skiing in Norway and Sweden. Axel Teichmann, an assistant coach for the German women's national team, also highlighted the need for diverse competition to keep the sport exciting and engage new audiences.

See the full report on Germany's impressive progress here:

Photo: Victor Vedin