End after the World Championships in Norway: SpareBank1 ends cooperation with NSF cross-country skiing after the upcoming season.

After ten years as the main sponsor, SpareBank1 chooses not to extend the agreement with the Norwegian Ski Federation cross-country skiing.

“We have had ten valuable years as the main partner with the Norwegian Ski Federation cross-country skiing, and now we are passing the baton. Together with the ski federation, we have created opportunities for both elite and grassroots sports,” says the sponsorship manager at SpareBank1, Stein Bugge, in a press release.

“We are proud and grateful for everything we have achieved together, and we understand that the agreement is not being extended. We are pleased that SpareBank1 will continue to commit significantly to cross-country skiing, locally and regionally across the country,” says the general manager of NSF cross-country skiing, Cathrine Instebø.

Thus, NSF cross-country skiing, which is already struggling financially, must now find a new main sponsor.

“Cross-country skiing is one of the strongest brands in Norwegian sports, and our focus is to continue developing. We are attractive to many, and I perceive an organization that is proactive, innovative, and positive, with highly motivated athletes and staff,” says Instebø.

Last year, NSF cross-country skiing lost its sponsor of 20 years, Norengros. They are now sponsors for alpine skiing.

Reach and Inclusion

During the period as the main sponsor, SpareBank1 has initiated several projects that have contributed to and continue to contribute to activity and great engagement.

In cooperation with NSF, “Byttehelgen” (Swap Weekend), “Utetimen” (Outdoor Hour), and “Skibanken” (Ski Bank) have become a great success and are well established. Since 2015, for example, 300,000 people have bought used ski equipment at second-hand markets across the country. 

“For the last ten years, we have also been a national sponsor at the elite level. We are delighted with the sponsorship period with NSF and the national cross-country team. From now on, we want to shift the focus towards local initiatives, which are of great value both for the banks, the regions we are part of, and the people living there. This also fits well with the identity and profile of SpareBank1 banks,” says Stein Bugge.

Are you interested in traditional XC skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.