Athletes and organizers are distressed: A few days before the season opener, the cross-country skiing season is in jeopardy — they risk having to cancel everything.

This weekend marks the national season openers in cross-country skiing in both Norway and Sweden, at Beitostølen and Gällivare, respectively. Both events feature start lists packed with World Cup stars. But now the entire Swedish season opener may be scrapped.

The reason is the extreme cold. Forecasts show temperatures dropping to around minus 20 degrees Celsius. That is below the cold-weather limit, and if the forecast proves accurate, the season opener will be cancelled.

“If it’s colder than minus 17, we have to cancel,” confirms the event manager for the Sverigepremiären in Gällivare, Mats Eklund, to Expressen.

According to SMHI (the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute), temperatures will range between –16 and –23 degrees on Friday and Saturday. And for Friday’s sprint, the warmest temperature expected is –18. The ski association’s cold limit is -17 degrees.

“The cold limit that exists is very easy to relate to as an organizer. If it is colder, you should cancel,” says Eklund.

And you will do that if it happens?

“Yes.”

Race director Leif Johansson is just as clear.

“We cannot hold the event if it’s too cold. Saturday and Sunday look good, but Friday is in the risk zone,” he says.

Jonna Sundling: “Very sad”

Swedish ski star Jonna Sundling is one of the athletes already on site in Gällivare. She confirms that it is cold and worries about the season opener.

“It’s fresh here, proper Swedish winter. I hope it will get a bit warmer toward the weekend than the forecast shows, but right now it doesn’t look enjoyable,” she says.

“And it would be very sad if the first competitions had to be cancelled. So, I’m crossing my fingers that it will still be possible to carry them out,” Sundling adds.

Hoping to salvage the event

The jury will decide whether the races can go ahead. That will likely happen on Friday morning.

“We have three thermometers we use. One at the highest point of the course, one at the lowest point, and one in the stadium. We go by the coldest reading,” says race director Leif Johansson.

He still has a small hope that the event can be saved.

“The ski stadium is located slightly higher than the town itself, so in general it’s a few degrees warmer up at the stadium,” Johansson says.

No danger for the Beitostølen opener

At Beitostølen, where the Norwegian season opener is held, cold temperatures are also expected this week. But not nearly as cold as in Gällivare.

Friday also looks to be the coldest day at Beitostølen, with clear weather and temperatures down to minus 12 degrees according to YR. For Saturday, the forecast low is minus 9, and for Sunday, minus 5.

Also Read: SC Play to livestream the Swedish season premiere in Gällivare

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