1. General Regulations.
1.1. The name of this Association shall be Worldloppet Ski Federation. (Hereinafter referred to as Worldloppet).
1.2. Worldloppet is an international non-for-profit sports federation of the world´s most popular cross-country ski marathons organisations.
1.3. Objectives of Worldloppet:
1.3.1. To promote the popularity of cross-country skiing by organising quality long- distance popular ski marathons throughout the world.
1.3.2. To recognise dedicated long distance cross-country skiers who have completed the required number of Worldloppet races during their lifetime and have become Worldloppet Masters.
1.3.3. To encourage elite cross-country skiers to participate in Worldloppet races.
1.3.4. To promote friendship among skiers of different nations, thereby strengthening peace in the world.
1.4. Worldloppet is acting in the public interests and uses its assets in compliance with its statuary objectives.
1.5. Worldloppet shall be independent of any other association.
1.6. To keep a consistently high standard and uniformity with international cross-country ski racing, Worldloppet and its members races shall recognise and honour the International Ski Federation (hereinafter referred to as FIS) international competition rules (hereinafter referred to as ICR), when applicable, and not in conflict with Worldloppet constitution.
1.7. Worldloppet is located in the Republic of Estonia, City of Tartu.
1.8. The official language of the Worldloppet shall be English.
1.9. The fiscal year of Worldloppet begins on May 1 st and ends on April 30th.
2. Members
2.1. The Members of Worldloppet shall be legal entities who organise long-distance cross-country ski-marathons.
2.2. The race organization must meet the high standards of quality, which are evidenced by the other Worldloppet races.
2.3. Any Member must demonstrate financial stability.
2.4. It shall be the responsibility of each individual Member organization to provide a safe and efficiently organized race in general accordance with the FIS ICR.
2.5. Each Member must submit a race date for the following two seasons and a tentative race date for the following third season in writing to the Worldloppet office by April 1st. All race organizers shall endeavour to avoid duplication of dates and work closely together with other races in their respective geographical region to promote the Worldloppet world-wide. If Member wants to move the race date from historical weekend, it should get an agreement from races which are taking place at the same time. Historic calendar has priority.
2.6. Substitute race dates cannot be considered. However, due to Force Majeure the changes are allowed within the same race weekend in discussions with Worldloppet head office to find an acceptable solution.
2.7. After the Annual General Meeting (hereinafter referred to as AGM) has approved the next season´s calendar, the members are not allowed to change their race distance or location of the start and/or finish places or to add into the programme new accompanying races, valid for a Worldloppet stamp, except in case of extreme weather conditions or other special circumstances and in discussions with Worldloppet head office to find an acceptable solution.
2.8. In case a Worldloppet (main or short) race is shortened or altered due to bad weather conditions, the race will remain valid for a Worldloppet stamp if the distance is not shorter than 50% of the original course, is on skis and is an individual officially timed race.
2.9. Technical Delegates (TDs) shall be appointed by FIS from a list of qualified TDs having a specialisation in popular racing and, wherever possible, experience and knowledge of Worldloppet.
3. Members General Rights
An official representative of a Worldloppet race organisation shall be entitled to:
3.1. Elect and to be elected to the Executive Board and to the other managing bodies of Worldloppet.
3.2. Submit proposals and/or inquiries to the meetings in the matters concerning the fulfilling of the objectives of Worldloppet and in the matters concerning work of the Executive Board and the Chief Executive Officer (hereinafter referred to as CEO).
3.3. Participate in the activities of Worldloppet in the manner provided for the present Constitution.
3.4. Use of Worldloppet symbolics.
3.5. Have the right to leave Worldloppet after handing in one’s written resignation and following Worldloppet’s constitution.
4. Members General Obligations
A Member of Worldloppet shall be obliged to:
4.1. Hold their races to an international quality, geographic inclusion, demonstrate effort to growing in participants, fulfilment of financial and reporting obligations as per Worldloppet’s requirements at each time.
4.2. Adhere to the Constitution and decisions taken by managing bodies of Worldloppet.
4.3. Participate actively in Worldloppet´s activities including selling of the Worldloppet passports and using its symbolics.
4.4. Each Worldloppet Member shall provide free accommodation for at least 2 persons for 2 nights during their race for the official delegations of the other Worldloppet Members and Worldloppet Office employees. Official delegations shall consist only of Members or VIP-s of the organizing committees of Worldloppet races.
4.5. Each Member has the right to receive five free starting tickets at each other race, the entry must be submitted by the office of the respective Member.
4.6. To keep its activities and behaviour respecting the reputation of Worldloppet, as well as to follow standards which are recognized internationally and/or agreed on AGM (including ethical norms).
4.7. Each Member shall be charged an annual fee to cover the financial interests of the Worldloppet association. This fee shall be set forth annually at the AGM.
4.8. Any Member, who has outstanding in the payment of the annual fee or other invoices, shall be denied voting rights until the outstanding is settled. If a member has a two-year debt, it will result in a vote for exclusion from Worldloppet at the following AGM.
4.9. For members that breaks the constitution or agreed processes by the managing bodies of Worldloppet there will be a structured set of effects:
4.9.1. Firstly, a warning and a possibility to rectify the issue withing an agreed period.
4.9.2. Secondly, a second warning with the issue reported to all members.
4.9.3. Finally, a motion to terminate the membership of the race, to be voted on at the next AGM.
5. Obligations on the Results and Information
Each Member is obliged to ensure the following:
5.1. Follow the agreed communication plan accepted yearly at the AGM.
5.2. Publish the unofficial complete result list on the race’s web site within 12 hours after closing of the finish.
5.3. Send the official result list to Worldloppet office within 72 hours of the competition in the format agreed on at the AGM. After any amendment in the results, the Worldloppet office shall be notified.
6. Promotional Obligations of Members
6.1. Providing well-organised races to large numbers of participants of various ages and abilities by the Members of Worldloppet.
6.2. Selling and stamping Worldloppet passports at the visible location at the race venue.
6.3. Using Worldloppet logos and flags at the race venue and printed materials.
6.4. Showing the logo/Worldloppet sponsors at start and finish area, unless this is in breach of any local sponsorship agreements made by the individual race.
6.5. Ensuring that the advertisement material for Worldloppet is available in the language of the respective host nation.
6.6. Making supreme efforts to promote the popularity of Worldloppet through information to the racers and media.
6.7. Providing the Worldloppet office with media materials by the communication plan approved yearly at AGM.
6.8. Participating in all promotion activity or process as decided by the Worldloppet organisation at any time.
6.9. Arranging a reception for Worldloppet Masters and announce it officially in the race programme and other information materials.
6.10. Offering guaranteed entries for Worldloppet Masters/passport holders within 180 days of the race date unless the race is officially announced as sold out by this date.
7. Admission of New Member
7.1. A membership application by a legal body in writing shall be presented to the Executive Board.
7.2. The acceptance of members shall be decided at AGM on the proposal of Executive Board.
7.3. Any new member admitted shall be required to pay an initial once-only fee which shall be established by the AGM.
7.4. The distance of the main race must be at least 50 km to be valid for the Gold Master award. For races held at the altitude of or above 1,500 metres sea level, the minimum distance is 42 km. A short race must have a minimum length of 20 km to be valid for the Silver Master award (or 17km on high altitude).
7.5. The race must have taken place at least 3 consecutive times with a minimum of 200 participants in the gold and silver race before the request for admission can be submitted.
7.6. The general rule is that there shall only be one Worldloppet race per country.
7.7. It must be guaranteed that the new race takes place annually at the same date, not in conflict with an already existing Worldloppet race. If an applicant race is run on the same day as an existing Worldloppet race, that race shall be given a right to Veto the entrant of the new applicant race, unless mutually agreed on upon the impacted events.
7.8. The race office must be available during the entire year to answer correspondence and telephone calls.
7.9. It must be guaranteed that participants from all nations can participate at the race without having any visa or admittance problems or difficulties in leaving the country, unless otherwise not permitted by the Worldloppet AGM.
7.10. The race must be held in line with the constitution of Worldloppet.
8. Procedure for Admission
The following documents must be presented to the Executive Board:
8.1. A written application by the legal entity responsible for race organization, which would like to be admitted.
8.2. A supporting letter from the National Ski Federation, confirming their choice of this race for representing their country in Worldloppet (this should be sent by the National Ski Federation to the President).
8.3. The official results of the main race of the last three competitions.
8.4. Documentation of financial stability.
8.5. An invitation for 1 or 2 delegates of Worldloppet for a minimum of 3 days for a one-time inspection. All expenses (travel, accommodation and meals) to be paid by the applicant.
8.6. Following the inspection, the decision of admission will be made at the next AGM based upon the report of the delegates.
9. Members Leaving of Worldloppet
9.1. After expiration of a term of two years for advance notice to the AGM (handing in their written resignation to the Executive Board) and settlement of potential debts to Worldloppet.
9.2. Before the expiration of the term of two years advance notice, in case such proposal has been made by the Executive Board and approved by the AGM.
9.3. The Membership ends by a resolution of the AGM based on the Member´s written application or exclusion.
9.4. A Member of the Worldloppet shall be excluded upon failure to:
9.4.1. follow the Constitution.
9.4.2. Non-payment of the annual Membership fee or other invoices for 2 years.
9.4.3. Having their race cancelled for more than 3 years in a row.
9.4.4. Or their serious actions harming Worldloppet.
9.5. To exclude a member a minimum of 2/3 of the voting members must agree at an AGM.
10. Annual General Meeting
10.1. The AGM shall be the highest body of Worldloppet which shall be held once a year in June. The Members of Worldloppet shall organise the AGM in rotation.
10.2. An official representative of each Worldloppet race organisation shall attend the AGM. The President, members of Executive Board and paid employees shall also participate in the AGM. Every member shall attend the AGM at their own expense. After approval from the Executive Board a member can in special circumstances request to participate remotely by electronic media. However, it is strongly encouraged for personal participation as it is an important part in developing a strong relationship and bond between races and the Worldloppet organisation.
10.3. Each Member has the right to speak at the AGM, using the official language. If a member does not speak the official language, it must make its own arrangements for translations.
10.4. All Members of Worldloppet shall have right to vote via their proxy holders.
10.5. Each Member of Worldloppet shall have one vote.
10.6. The site and date of each AGM shall be decided by simple majority vote two years in advance.
10.7. Notice of the AGM along with the exact time and location shall be given by the Executive Board at least 60 days in advance. The agenda shall be sent by Worldloppet office to all Members at least 30 days in advance of the AGM.
10.8. The AGM is competent to adopt resolutions if at least two-thirds of the Members of Worldloppet are present.
10.9. A resolution of the AGM is adopted if a majority of the Members of Worldloppet present at the meeting vote in favour.
10.10. The agenda for the AGM shall be prepared by the Executive Board. Those Members wishing to submit items for the agenda must send them to the Executive Board in writing at least 40 days prior to the meeting.
10.11. Any proposals for constitutional amendments, additions or deletions are forwarded to each Member in writing at least thirty (30) days prior to the AGM.
10.12. A resolution of amending the Constitution is adopted if over two-thirds of the Members present at the AGM are in favour.
10.13. A resolution of altering the objective of Worldloppet is adopted if 9/10 of Members of Worldloppet are in favour. The consent of the Members who were not present at the AGM shall be submitted in writing.
10.14. The voting is public. In case of personal election, and if one of the members entitled to vote demands a secret ballot, voting shall be secret.
10.15. A Special General Meeting shall be called by the Executive Board´s discretion or if this is requested in writing by at least 1/10 of the Members of Worldloppet indicating the reason of this meeting.
10.16. The Chairman of the AGM shall be the President or person elected from participating Executive Board members.
10.17. The work and resolutions of the AGM shall be kept in the minutes. The correctness of the minutes shall be confirmed by signature of the Chairman and the Secretary.
11. Responsibilities of the Host of the Annual General Meeting
11.1. The host Member shall be responsible for all hotel and meeting arrangements. This has to be done in time to provide a notice together with an estimate cost to each Member at least 90 days before the meeting.
11.2. The host Member shall be responsible for arranging a social calendar for evening events; it also should attempt to arrange daytime activities for visiting guests.
11.3. No expenses for programme points, tours or other events shall be charged to Worldloppet, unless they are approved by a two-thirds majority of the Members.
11.4. The CEO shall provide a secretary for the minutes in the official language of Worldloppet. The charges for this shall be paid by Worldloppet.
12. Management of Worldloppet
The AGM is exclusively competent to:
12.1. Adopt and amend the Constitution.
12.2. Appoint and remove the President.
12.3. Appoint and remove the members of Executive Board elected and nominated by the regions.
12.4. Admit new members, approve their departure or exclude them from Worldloppet.
12.5. Establish the amount of the entry and annual membership fees for Worldloppet.
12.6. If necessary, appoint an auditorial commission for supervision and confirm the results of audit.
12.7. Approve of the annual fiscal report.
12.8. Approve the budget.
12.9. Decide on dissolution, merger and division of Worldloppet.
The President
12.10. The President shall be the highest representative body of Worldloppet.
12.11. The President shall be elected for a term of four years.
12.12. President shall be the member of the Executive Board arising from his/her position and shall manage the work of the Executive Board.
The Honorary Presidents
12.13. The AGM might after a proposal of the Executive Board propose to appoint the Honorary President titles to distinguished persons that has been instrumental in developing the Worldloppet organisation. This is a non-executive title honouring these individuals and encouraging them to continue to be an ambassador for marathon skiing in general and the Worldloppet races specifically. The Honorary Presidents has the right at their own cost to participate at the AGM of Worldloppet but has no voting rights.
The Executive Board
12.14. Between AGMs Worldloppet work shall be managed by the Executive Board, which shall decide on issues out of exclusive competence of AGM.
12.15. The Executive Board shall have four to six members and shall be nominated for a term of four years aligned with President’s term. At least half of the members of the Executive Board must be permanent residents of the European Economic Area or Switzerland.
12.16. The Executive Board Members shall be nominated by the Members of Worldloppet from the regions and approved by the AGM as follows:
12.16.1. One Member of the Executive Board shall be appointed by the Member associations registered in the Scandinavian countries (Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, Iceland, and other Members in that region).
12.16.2. One Member of the Executive Board shall be appointed by the Member associations registered in the Central European countries (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland and other Members in that region).
12.16.3. One Member of the Executive Board shall be appointed by the Member associations registered in the overseas countries (USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and other Members from outside Europe).
12.17. The President can be the representative of a region.
12.18. The regions may be revised with new Members joining Worldloppet.
12.19. The Executive Board shall hold at least two meetings per season as called up by the necessity by the President.
12.20. Invitation to the meeting along with the agenda shall be sent by the President at least 30 days in advance.
12.21. The CEO and invited quest shall participate in the Executive Board meetings without a vote.
12.22. The Chairman of Executive Board meetings shall be the President or person elected from participating board members. The work and resolutions of the Executive Board shall be kept in the minutes.
The Executive Board is competent to:
12.23. Evaluate the admission, departure or exclusion of the Members from Worldloppet and making proposals for AGM.
12.24. Sign a contract of employment with CEO.
12.25. Convene of the AGM.
12.26. Supervise of the annual fiscal report and presenting it for approval to AGM.
12.27. Supervise the budget and presenting it for approval to AGM.
12.28. If necessary, form and dissolve the working groups.
12.29. To found and close a branch office of Worldloppet – the Representative Office of Worldloppet Ski Federation to the resident country of CEO.
12.30. To make proposals to AGM to amend the constitution.
12.31. The Executive Board meeting is competent to adopt resolutions if over one-half of the Members of the Executive Board are present at the meeting.
12.32. A resolution of the Executive Board is adopted with a majority of votes. In case of a tie the resolution shall be made by the decision of the President.
The Chief Executive Officer
12.33. The CEO shall be head of Worldloppet (Representative) Office and shall form his/her staff independently.
12.34. The CEO shall be accountable to the Executive Board and shall be responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Worldloppet.
12.35. The CEO shall represent Worldloppet in relations with individuals and legal entities by proxies and is authorized to sign in extent set by the Executive Board.
12.36. The CEO and the Executive Board will operate Worldloppet withing the framework of the AGM approved budget. Overruns or reallocations up till 10% of each line item with a maximum of 3% of the total budget falls under the responsibility of the CEO and the Executive Board. For larger deviations an AGM decision is required.
13. Assets of Worldloppet
13.1. The assets of Worldloppet shall be composed of:
13.2. Entry and Membership fees.
13.3. Donations and grants having pecuniary value. Worldloppet shall not be entitled to alter the purpose of any purpose-oriented donations and grants.
13.4. Income gained from other activities in compliance with the statutory objectives of Worldloppet.
14. Worldloppet Passports
14.1. Worldloppet Passport (hereinafter passport) is a personal document, in which every completed Worldloppet race should be registered. The passport contains a special page for each event in the Worldloppet series.
14.2. A digital copy of passport is available for passport holders at Worldloppet website and has same value in case physical passport is lost. In case digital data is insufficient / incorrect, the original document must be presented.
14.3. All cross-country skiers world-wide are eligible to buy a passport in which the Worldloppet races he/she has completed are certified.
14.4. The passport can be obtained at the Worldloppet office, via Worldloppet website or from any Worldloppet member race.
14.5. The price of the passport is decided at the AGM.
14.6. After completing a Worldloppet race, the skier should ask for the official stamp of this event at the race office. A stamp in the passport reflecting the results in the official result list of the race is the evidence of the completed race.
14.7. The passport expires with the completion of a Master title.
15. Worldloppet Masters
15.1. After completing Worldloppet races in 10 different countries, at least one of them outside of Europe (it means at least one race from USA, CAN, JPN, AUS, NZL, ARG or CHN), the Worldloppet passport holder will be recognised as a Worldloppet Master (hereinafter Master).
15.2. Worldloppet Gold Master, if completed 10 Worldloppet long races (list of the valid Worldloppet long races is stated in calendar available on homepage).
15.3. Worldloppet Silver Master, if at least one of completed 10 Worldloppet races is of short races (list of the valid Worldloppet short races is stated in calendar available on homepage).
15.4. Participations for the Master titles are valid from the year after the race was admitted to Worldloppet. Participations of Worldloppet short races are valid from the 1994/1995 season only.
Participations of the Worldloppet main races are valid since the following years:
1979: Dolomitenlauf, Marcialonga, König Ludwig Lauf, Gatineu Loppet, American Birkebeiner, Finlandia hiihto, Vasaloppet, Engadin Skimarathon, Birkebeinerrennet
1981: La Transjurassienne
1986: Sapporo International Ski Marathon
1991: Kangaroo Hoppet
1995: Tartu Maraton
2000: Jizerska Padesatka
2009: Bieg Piastov
2013: Demino Skimarathon, currently suspended since 2022
2014: Ushuaialoppet (suspended for season 2025/2026), Merino Muster, Vasaloppet China
2015: Fossavatnsgangan
15.5. In the case of disqualification of participant from the race results after obtaining a Master title, the concerned Master title will be taken away and all the races connected to the title shall not be usable in new passports. After disqualification skier cannot apply for a new Master title for 2 years.
16. Global Skier
16.1. All Masters who have completed all Worldloppet Member races (Full Member races until season 2026) existing at the time of their application of receiving master title have right to apply for Worldloppet Global Skier award starting from season 2007. If new races of member nations are introduced in the future they will be added to the required races.
16.2. To apply for a Global Skier title, a Master should send a notification to the Worldloppet Office with the list of the dates of extra races with times and placements that complete the Global Skier criteria. The Worldloppet office will send to Global Skier a prestigious diploma without any further costs or formalities.
16.3. All Global Skiers are listed on Worldloppet website in chronological order of diplomas.
17. Dissolution of Worldloppet
17.1. Worldloppet shall be dissolved by a resolution of the AGM.
17.2. Upon the dissolution of the Assets of Worldloppet and satisfaction of all claims of creditors and depositing the money, the remaining assets shall be transferred to any non-profit association or public legal entity that has similar statutory objectives.
Updated in June 2025
