News

The Worldloppet Ski Federation is dedicated to providing thrilling cross-country skiing experiences across the globe. However, climate change poses increasing challenges to our beloved snow sports. Last season, five races had to be cancelled due to lack of snow and mild temperatures, particularly affecting events at lower altitudes in Central Europe. This situation can be disappointing for skiers who travel from around the world to participate in these popular skiing events and collect stamps in their Worldloppet passports. Here’s what happens if a ski marathon is cancelled and how we strive to provide alternatives.

Last-Minute Cancellations and the Need for Alternatives

In many instances, race cancellations occur just weeks or even days before the scheduled date. This short notice can leave skiers, who have often traveled great distances, without the opportunity to compete and earn their Worldloppet passport stamp. Understanding the frustration this can cause, our race organizers immediately begin devising alternative plans. While options may be limited, last season saw solutions such as individual races in Germany, France, and Australia. These alternatives allowed skiers to complete parts of the race course using GPS devices to track their sessions, thereby earning their passport stamp despite the modified format.

Positive Responses to Alternative Races

The feedback from these alternative race formats has been overwhelmingly positive. For instance, skiers who traveled from the United States to Germany for the König Ludwig Lauf expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to still participate. One American skier shared, “Traveling around the world and skiing at these great destinations is a fulfilling hobby, but also expensive. When traveling from the US to Germany with the goal to ski a race and get a stamp in the Worldloppet Passport, it is frustrating if the race has to be cancelled a few days ahead. And if that happens a second or third time… You can imagine what that means for the motivation.”

Establishing Guidelines for Alternative Events

In response to these challenges, the Worldloppet Ski Federation formed a working group at the Worldloppet AGM in June 2024 in Sapporo to develop guidelines for alternative race events. These guidelines are essential to maintain the integrity and value of the Worldloppet Passport and Master titles while offering organizers the flexibility to provide viable alternatives. As Worldloppet CEO Epp Paal stated, “It is important that we reached common agreement and guidelines for that during the AGM. Now both skiers and organizers know what to expect when the race plan A is not working. If the rules are interpreted by every race organizer in different way, the Worldloppet Passport and a Master title might lose its value. But on the other hand, the organizers need some flexibility in order to come up with a good and secure alternative solution.”

New Guidelines for Alternative Worldloppet Events

The guidelines established by the Worldloppet federation are as follows:

• Participation must be carried out on snow, and only skiing is accepted.
• Completion of at least 50% of the original course length is required.
• Nearby tracks can be used, not just the original course.
• Participation must be recorded by the organizer; personal GPS watches cannot be used.
• Date changes for race distances are allowed within the official race week, but moving the race to a different weekend is not accepted.
• Entry fee reimbursement is at the discretion of each organizer.

Looking Ahead

As climate change continues to impact snow sports, the Worldloppet Ski Federation is committed to adapting and finding solutions that uphold the spirit and tradition of cross-country skiing. We appreciate the dedication and understanding of our global skiing community as we navigate these challenges together. Stay tuned to our website and communications for updates on race conditions and alternative event options.

By addressing these issues proactively and transparently, we aim to ensure that the joy of cross-country skiing and the pursuit of Worldloppet Passport stamps continue to thrive, despite the unpredictability of our climate.