News

For the first time since the Covid pandemic started, the delegates of the Worldloppet member races have gathered again for the Annual General Meeting. After two virtual meetings in the past years, the delegates have met past weekend in Mora, the finish destination of Vasaloppet. 

“Mora is a special place for cross-country skiing. Especially, in the 100th anniversary year of Vasaloppet we felt like it was the right thing to do, to hold the meeting in Mora.”, says Juha Viljamaa, the President of the Worldloppet International Skifederation.

Russia banned from Worldloppet

One of the most extensive decisions made during the 3-days-meeting was concerning the ongoing military aggression from Russia against the Ukraine. As Worldloppet stands for freedom, peace, unity and inter-cultural exchange, Worldloppet has the responsibility to not be silent about this topic. 

“The current Russian regime and the ongoing illegal Russian military aggression against Ukraine is unacceptable for us as an organization with democratic values!” 

Juha Viljamaa, Worldloppet President.

Demino Skimarathon suspended

According to that, it was decided, that the Demino Skimarathon stays suspended as member of Worldloppet until the situation has changed drastically. That means, the race is not valid for a stamp in the Worldloppet Passport (that does not mean, that already given stamps will loose their validity). 

In order to become a Global Skier (skiers who have completed all Worldloppet races), the stamp from Demino Skimarathon is not needed anymore. 

Russians banned from Worldloppet races

In line with the FIS rules, Russian and Belarussian skiers are banned from the Worldloppet races. This decision is going to stay until the situation has changed drastically.

Worldloppet uniting skiing

The Covid pandemic still is a topic for cross-country skiing races. But the good news is, that the races have given the feedback that skiers are coming back to the tracks of the Worldloppet races. Now it is the time to increase the participants numbers. This counts for all nations around the globe. Even the big races like Vasaloppet, Engadin Skimarathon or Birkebeinerrennet need to increase their participants numbers, especially, skiers from abroad are missing. 

These circumstances show once more the importance of a uniting Federation like Worldloppet.  “We grow together, or we all loose!”, was a parol given out by the member races. The mission for Worldloppet is clear in these times: “We form the future of cross-country skiing!”

Increase of female participation

Still the major part of participations in the long distance races is male. A circumstance that should be changed. In future the race organizers want to focus on races and distances more female friendly. The shorter the distance, the higher is the percentage of female skiers. 

Also the special women’s race formats will be emphasized in the near future.