The BLINK Skifestival is back in full strength this year after last two editions hampered but not broken by COVID

The BLINK at the beginning of August is one of those rare stories worth talking about, year after year.

Why do we at The Daily Skier pay so much attention to it? Because the competition is evolving, growing in strength, getting more spectators, better sponsorship and more media attention.

Because it’s the world’s first real fusion of xcskiig and biathlon (others are trying to imitate now)

Because of its festive, celebratory atmosphere that is difficult to convey unless you are on the ground ( and if you haven’t made up your mind about vacations yet, BLINK is on August 3-6 thus year!).

In short, BLINK is bluntly showing what a successful cross-country skiing competition should be like, narrow skis or those wheeled.

We talked to Arne Idlamd, the guy created it back in 2006 and who still co-runs it as a sporting director:

Location:

” We are back where BLINK belongs – in the city centre of Ålgård and Sandnes! The latter where the most races will take place is almost rebuilt since 2019 with a permanent rollerskitrack in the new park in the centre of the city. We will also have the live music concerts in the evenings in Sandnes on the sea, on a big float and that’s where race winners shall be awarded.”

Atmosphere:

“People need severely good reasons to come to a festival like Blink! We have many activities for children, good food, free concert with some of the best band in Norway!
We also have lectures (congresses) for the partners. And , of course, a chance to see some of the World’s best athletes.
Our main goal is to create the best experience for the spectators ever – after two years with corona. In 2019 the local media estimated that 100 000 spectators visited BLINK during the four days! We hope that we can be at the same level or even surpass those numbers’

Budget:

“We estimate around 2,5 million euros. It is about 10% up from 2019.” ( Note: Stavanger/Sandnes area is the oil capital of Norway. The oil prices are basically double now of what they were in 2019, the companies in the area are doing well)

Television coverage.

“We have an agreement in place with EBU ( the European Broadcadting Union that has media rights for the IBU World Cup etc) ! That only covers four biathlon races at BLINK. The EBU would provide live signal to its partners, main European television channels.
And No. There has been no interest from the FIS or Infront for races with xcski athletes.

The difference is that the IBU wants to build up the summer events . ”

Races, athletes & awards :

“We expect the athletes from some 22 nations according to the latest count

The BLINK will kick off with Lysebotn Uphill.
Then on Thursday there will be road race Blink Classics. A big change here is that we have a shorter loop 12,5 km x 4 times. That is better for the spectators. The last two days the races shall be held in downtown Sandnes.

Blink Classics is the only cross race with significant prizes: NOK 70 000 ( around 6700 euros ) to the winner + we have four sprint points with NOK 10 000 each. The biathletes have a separate prize till of some 35000 euros to split in their races. ”

Finally, a difficult question. The Russians. They’ve used to come every year. Sergey Ustiugov and Alexander Bolshunov won the BLINK on previous occasions.

“We follow the guidelines from FIS and IBU as basis! But with the aggression the Russians show for the last half a year in Ukraine we would have a problem to welcome athletes representing Russia for a long period in the future! We are now working to get some Ukrainian athletes to Blink! We have taken a clear decision to support Ukraine as far as we can!”.