The Norwegian Ski Association must cut around €2.3 million over the next two years following the deficit from the World Championships in Trondheim. But amid the financial crisis, there is good news for the national teams.

It is now clear that these cuts will not affect the Norwegian cross-country national teams this coming winter.

“We will not be affected this winter. In the future, performance requirements will be placed on us. We have to review the organization and how we deliver. It will affect us, but right now we are sticking to the activity level we have planned,” says Cross-Country Association Manager Cathrine Instebø to Aftonbladet.

Unclear who will be affected

Exactly where and how the cuts will be made is still uncertain.

“The deficit affects the entire Association. There is a central process underway with staff reductions, and we are reviewing how we can strengthen our finances. But for cross-country skiing, it is now about focusing on what we are going to do this season,” Instebø says.

Several national teams have already cut

Even before the World Championships scandal, cross-country skiing had decided to disband its recruit and junior national teams. The Association communicated this at the end of January. These teams will not be replaced. Instead, talent development will be managed through the five regional teams in the ELON system.

Huge deficit

Ahead of the Ski World Championships in Trondheim, the organizers had expected a profit of around €1.7 million. Instead, they ended up with a deficit of around €3.2 million.

Also Read: Trondheim World Championships face claims of NOK 134 million

The Norwegian Ski Association owns 60 percent of the organizing company and was already struggling financially before the collapse. Before the summer holidays, it had already announced significant cuts across several areas.

Among the expected cuts are staff reductions and a review of several activities.

“The cuts of €2.3 million will include downsizing. They will include changes to our event portfolio. That could mean we won’t carry out events that are too costly for us to organize. Beyond that, there will be general cuts and savings,” said the Association’s Secretary-General, Ola Keul, to NRK after the financial blow became known.

Earlier this autumn, it was announced that the Association is moving the U23 and Junior World Championships from Trondheim to Lillehammer.

Read More: Norway secures Junior & U23 Worlds – but forced to relocate

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

As a member of ProXCskiing.com, you get full access to all content on the site. Also, live streaming of Ski Classics events with English commentaries is available.

When you become part of one of the World’s leading XC ski communities, you will receive many exclusive offers all year round.

REGISTER HERE AS A MEMBER