06Jun 2019 by DS News Team
Out With “Degrading, Even Insulting” Ladies, In With Women

Out With “Degrading, Even Insulting” Ladies, In With Women

Leaders, Newsfeed
Another change in the world of international cross country skiing. To quote from the FIS Conference press release ""The proposal of the Gender Equity Working Group, the Sub-Committees for Ladies´ Cross-Country and Alpine Skiing and the Athletes Commission to change the terminology used by FIS, from “Ladies” to “Women” in the English language will be implemented forthwith." So, the skiing is joining the biathlon, the ice hockey and the luge that long moved to " women" moniker. The FIS along with the ISU ( International Skating Union) were pretty much the last stand-outs. The world skiing authority came under increased criticism for adhering to "sexist traditions"- including by some cross country skiers. Case in point: Canadian Olympian Cendrine Browne who described female athletes being called ladies " degrading, even insulting".…
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05Jun 2019 by DS News Team
Klaebo Has Not Signed Agreement With National Team – And Deadline Is Looming

Klaebo Has Not Signed Agreement With National Team – And Deadline Is Looming

Leaders, Newsfeed
World's best male skier (do we need to say the name?) still has not signed a contract with the Norwegian national team - and June 10th deadline is looming. Bone of contention: social media and, more specifically, advertising & promoting on social media. The sides (Johannes does not get involved - he is represented by his father and manager, Haakon Klæbo, as always) don't want to comment beyond that. It's clear, however, that whatever boundary between "Klaebo being himself" and "Klaebo being part of the national team " they eventually find, it will serve as yardstick to all future contracts for all Norwegian skiers - and possibly beyond. Case in point: on this photo from the World Cup in Davos Johannes is seen wearing a jacket with all the team…
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29May 2019 by DS News Team
FIS On Prohibition Streak – More News From Conference In Dubrovnik

FIS On Prohibition Streak – More News From Conference In Dubrovnik

Leaders, Newsfeed
Equal the field of play by limiting the ski testing possibilities ahead of races as much as possible: that the gist of new package of measures debated at the FIS Conference ongoing in Dubrovnik. Including but not limited to: - restrictions on skiing on the actual race trail both the day before and on the actual day of the competition. - limits on how many ski testers each national team could use. - limit the number of skis being tested. That's not it. Stay tuned for more bans & restrictions under discussion
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28May 2019 by DS News Team
FIS Moves To Level Field, Bans Grinding Machines At Olympics And World Cup

FIS Moves To Level Field, Bans Grinding Machines At Olympics And World Cup

Gear News, Newsfeed
We all know that professional sport is unfair. Technical sport like cross country skiing - double so. For a while now the battle for medals was largely happening between the teams that could afford $500K+ wax trucks Packed to the brim with the latest technology - including, arguably, the most important device of all: portable grinding machines. Well, no more - this week FIS introduces a ban on bringing of grinding machines to the Olympics, the World Championship and the World Cup in attempt to remove at least one important advantage rich teams hitherto had. Remains unclear how compliance with new regulations is going to be checked. On the photo: inside Team Russia truck. Along with the Norwegians, the Swedes etc., the Russians made a good use of portable grinding…
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