Kalle Halvarsson (35) wanted to remove all high-altitude races, but now the opposite signal is being sent from the FIS.
The short version
- Cross-country skier Kalle Halvarsson wanted all high-altitude races cancelled.
- The Cross-Country Committee of the Islamic Salvation Front proposes to increase the height limit from 1,800 to 2,000 meters above sea level.
- This change could open up new locations for cross-country skiing, especially in North America.
- Going beyond the limit could help the sport adapt to climate change.
- The proposal to cancel high-altitude races has been met with opposition from Norwegian runners.
- As of now, there is a limit that cross-country skiing is not regulated in places higher than 1,800 meters above sea level. If this is done, there should be fewer setbacks.
- But below Islamic Salvation FrontAt last week's spring meetings, the cross-country skiing committee proposed amending this so that ski races could be arranged at venues up to 2,000 metres. It is up to the Executive Council of the Islamic Salvation Front to approve the proposal.
On the other hand, most cross-country skiing locations in Europe are located at an altitude of less than 1,800 metres, but such a change could open up new locations in North America. The challenge with altitude is that the air becomes thinner. Hence, it is difficult for athletes to push the body.
The altitude limit change was introduced long ago as an adaptation measure to climate change, which has particularly caused snowfall problems in places in Central Europe.
On the other hand, during the Tour de Ski 2022/23, Swedish filer Calle Halfvarsson made a proposal to All competitions cancelled In height.
– Blow at height. There will be something extra about it Shipping height And this whole thing. I think you don't have to have a huge advantage because you've reached the height in front of you. “There are places where you can compete in the Lowlands, so everyone will be equal,” Halvarsson told VG.
The proposal was met with opposition from Norwegian runners.
Halvarsson added at the time that his performance was influenced by the fact that he rarely achieved good results at altitude. Since he is 35 years old, it is doubtful whether there will be enough time to run 2000 meters in his time.
For next season, there are only two weekends – Davos and Engadine in Switzerland – held at between 1,500 and 1,600 meters above sea level.
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