When the International Ski and Snowboard Federation – FIS presented the program for the upcoming season, a new format was included in the schedule. Now, top athletes are slamming the new race format: a five-kilometer mass start with heats.

The five-kilometer mass start with heats is the new race format introduced when the International Ski and Snowboard Federation – FIS unveiled the World Cup schedule for the coming winter season. At the same time, relay races are being removed entirely from the World Cup, and there will be no relays before the Olympics. Several prominent Swedish skiers are now criticizing the new format.

Also Read: FIS scraps relays – Introduces brand new format in the World Cup

“I don’t understand”

However, the proposal must be approved at the Federation’s Congress in June before it is officially confirmed.

“I feel like I’ve been skiing for quite a while now, and when I don’t understand the format, I immediately think about the TV viewers and wonder what they’ll think and whether they’ll understand how all of this is supposed to work,” said William Poromaa to SVT Sport about the proposal.

Poromaa understands the desire to develop the sport, but isn’t sure this is the right path.

“I understand why changes are being made — to broaden the sport and involve more nations. But I question how much you can change before it just becomes ridiculous.”

“Completely wrong thinking”

Ebba Andersson agrees with her national teammate and hasn’t understood what the new race format will look like in practice.

“I don’t know if anyone really knows how it’s supposed to be. I don’t fully understand how it will work. I guess it’ll become clearer over time,” she told SVT Sport.

SVT’s cross-country ski expert, Anders Blomquist, is also critical, slamming the proposal and doubting whether the new format will be enjoyable for anyone.

“Sometimes you need to innovate and think differently, but in this case, I think they’ve got it completely wrong. I don’t think it will be a fun format for the athletes, and I don’t think it will be enjoyable for the viewers either. For cross-country skiing in general, I believe it’s a dead end,” he said.

Read More: FIS unveils 2025/2026 cross-country skiing World Cup calendar

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