[ad_1]
A new points system where the status of the Birkebeinerrennet is lifted, demands for a greater quota of women and a «bjørnunge» grip are the innovations in the Ski Classics this winter. Petter Northug rejoices.
This year’s Ski Classics season began in Austrian Bad Gastein in mid-December. The opening runs also mark the start of a number of rule changes teams and runners must deal with.
One of them is a new system for awarding points. The various runs in the Ski Classics system are categorized into five categories, and the number of points awarded is linked to the status of the current category.
The highest category, Grand Classics, consists of Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet and Birkebeinerrennet. Here, the winner gets 500 points for the Ski Classics summary. On the chutes on the level below, 300 points are awarded, while 200, 100 and 50 points are awarded on the lowest categories.
The grip meets with enthusiasm from one of the biggest stars in the Ski Classics field, Petter Northug.
– I think that’s good for you. There is still a bit too big a difference between the C and A runs in Ski Classics. The big ones are really big. And those of you who help to fill up the cross-country cup, you very little ones. There is a reason why this year I like to combine all-round running with cross-country running, says Northug to NTB.
Increased female quota
At the same time, he has a clear call to the top in the cross-country circus.
– Ski Classics has a development potential to get more big races into the calendar. But Vasaloppet, Marcialonga and Birken are the big ones, and they live long, says the cross-country star.
The change in points will naturally mean that the outcome of the big and most prestigious will have a clear extra weight when an overall winner is to be chosen in the spring.
Also new this season is that each of the pro teams in Ski Classics must consist of at least three runners of each gender. Previously, the requirement was two.
The teams must therefore consist of at least six, and a maximum of ten, runners. In addition, a maximum of eight of the runners can come from what are referred to as established ski areas. Last season it was the same number of you.
Which nations are categorized as established can be seen from a separate list that is drawn up based on a number of criteria based on, among other things, the circus performers.
Youth space
The Ski Classics management is also taking steps to ensure that more young runners bet on cross-country skiing.
This season, two so-called Cubs, «cubs» in Norwegian, can be included in each of the pro flags for the various races. To be eligible for these places, you must be under 22 years of age.
The teams can take “bear cubs” with them to the various rinks.
– The new rules are part of a process that will last several seasons to both sharpen the competition between the teams, but also to push for more inclusive squads, says director David Nilsson.
Next season’s edition of the Birkebeinerrennet runs on March 15. The Vasaloppet is placed two weekends earlier, while Marcialonga runs on January 26.
[ad_2]
