Arne Idland is a name everyone knows and respects in both international xcskiing as well as in biathlon. In the last decade or so quite a few previously big events in snow sports have withered and faded away from the calendar. The popularity of skiing as pro-sport is declining. Arne’s brainchild, however, is totally bucking the trend. Starting as a simple local rollerski race, Blink under Mr.Idnald has developed into a must- attend, must-watch event of the summer. Both for the athletes and spectators, at least in Norway.
Now Arne Idland publicly proposes for the things to go forward and to incorporate a big summer rollerski event as a part of of the winter, snow World Cup.
When we spoke, Arne avoided naming Blink specifically as a candidate. But it is clear that only Blink, Toppidrettsveka and, perhaps, Fourcade Nordic Festival in Annecy would have both the budget and the organizational skills to handle hundreds of potential participants. And guarantee the prize money Klaebo and Bolshunov would find equal to their skills & status. The existing FIS Rollerski World Cup is much more demure affair, rarely featuring the stars precisely for that reason: budget.
Interestingly, the Norwegian biathlon stars have immediately reacted to Idland ‘s ideas: some are absolutely against, others as absolutely for it. But the world biathlon is in a much better shape, thanks for its gargantuan media contracts. It is the cross country skiing that needs new ideas. The xcski stars both in Norway and elsewhere keep quiet publicly, but in private conversations expressed support – everyone loves coming to Blink and/ or Toppidrettsveka in August, why not to try earn some World Cup- sized prize money in process?
Here is our conversation with Mr. Idland that we traditionally left unedited :
My proposal is drastic and non traditional, I don’t expect everybody to agree with me:
I think it is important to start looking for future solutions when the winter is getting shorter and shorter due to global warming!
To keep xc- skiing/biathlon as an international sport I think we have to do some radical changes.
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What is important for the sport:
1. Recruit new kids/youth to the sport
2. Prolong the season. Most other sports have a longer season. This is important both for the sponsors and the focus on the sport
3. Bring the sport to the people. We need more events with many spectators and good atmosphere
4. It is important that other counties than the North Europeans can perform the sport at homeground
5. We also have to prolong/develop the sport in a sustainable way
BUT! The main product will always be in the winter, on snow and with traditional skis. I only want to prolong the season with 1 to 2 events/weeks in August with world class events. Some years ago the season started with city events in Dusseldorf on snow in October. I propose that such kind of pre season event should be in the summer – on rollerskis. As an integrated part of the World Cup! I also think this kind of event should include side events/competitions for kids and juniors. Not as a World Cup, of course but these events should be a tool to attract new recruits to the sports.
I think that Blink Rollerski Festival should not be the main focus in this discussion. Blink can be among other events an example what is possible to achieve in the summertime. The Fourcade event in Annecy is another one.
I think the main challenge is our own limitations due to traditional and conservative thinking!