January 05, 2017 (Oberhof, GER) – The International Ski Federation (FIS) has re-confirmed that Quebec City is the leading candidate to host the FIS Cross-Country World Cup finals from March 16-19, following the Dec. 23 announcement that Russia has declined to host the finals in Tuymen in light of WADA’s McLaren reports on systematic, state-sponsored doping in the country.

Some Scandinavian sites are also contenders but all of this means that the FIS is scrambling to find a replacement for Russia. Important factors, most notably financing, are part of the equation in the search for a new venue in light of the sudden change.

SkiTrax caught up with FIS Cross-Country Race Director, Pierre Mignerey, who is currently in Oberstdorf, GER, at the Tour de Ski, to find out more about the situation.

“Yes that’s correct,” Mignerey told SkiTrax. “We are in close contact with Cross Country Canada (CCC) and Québec (GESTEV). Québec City continues to be our first choice at the moment. Sweden, Finland and Norway are also interested but our focus is on Québec for many reasons.

“The success of Ski Tour Canada is one of them, but not the only one. World Cup races in Québec City have always been great events, with a lot of spectators, a great atmosphere and a professional organization,” Mignerey continued.

FIS has been eager to develop the sport outside of Europe which led to Ski Tour Canada last season that encompassed eight races. “It’s important for the development of cross-country skiing to have World Cup organizers outside of Europe. Canada is an important nation in the sport and this is a great opportunity to come back to North America. The World Cup finals should always be something special and Québec City is clearly the right place to host a great World Cup finals,” shared Mignerey.

We wondered if the dates would be the same as originally scheduled which Mignerey confirmed but one event may be cancelled. “Yes the dates will remain the same as for Tuymen. In any case we will probably have only three races though on Friday, Saturday, Sunday,” he commented (the 3/5km FR Prologue scheduled for Thursday, March 16 will likely be cancelled).

The logistics of the XC ski caravan transferring to North America is no small undertaking and we wondered how the teams and athletes are reacting to the news.

“The first feedback from the teams and athletes was positive even though the logistics will be more complicated for Québec compared to Scandinavians sites. Such late changes need fast decisions and it’s difficult to involve everyone in the process. Nevertheless we are in constant discussion with all the stakeholders – including the teams – in order to make the appropriate decisions,” explained Mignerey.

We contacted Dave Dyer, CCC’s event coordinator, a key player in the execution of Ski Tour Canada for his take on things. CCC is also in the middle of a leadership transition as Shane Pearsall is taking over from out-going CEO Pierre Lafontaine – read more here.

“We’re supportive as this would be another fabulous opportunity for cross-country skiing in Canada and for our developing athletes who would normally not get a World Cup start,” commented Dave Dyer, CCC’s event director. “With the time of year and the holiday period the project is taking a bit longer to confirm final logistics and whether the Finals are financially viable under the timelines provided by the International Ski Federation. We hope to have a decision shortly.”

Mignerey confirmed that around 60 women and 70 men are expected to compete at the final competitions, and that FIS has not set an effective deadline for making a decision on the venue, but hopes to finalize things as soon as possible. “We are expecting some news from CCC very soon and we will hopefully be able to make a decision next week.”

The 2016 Ski Tour Canada FIS cross-country Stage World Cup races in Montreal and Quebec City were organized by GESTEV which also organized a very successful downtown sprint in Quebec City in 2012.

“FIS approached us and we are very happy and grateful,” explains Marie-Michelle Gagné, Chief of Media Relations for GESTEV. “On the other hand, with the very short deadlines between now and the event, we must analyze everything to see the feasibility of the project, thus obtaining the necessary permits from the City and the (Plains of Abraham) Battlefields Commission, as well as the support of Cross Country Canada. We will have to position ourselves quickly, just like our partners from a financial support point of view, to hand over our decision within the time-frame prescribed by the FIS.”

GESTEV’s President, Patrice Drouin, previously told the Journal de Quebec that while hosting the event is organizationally feasible, the main question is about financing. Questions we asked GESTEV and CCC about possible government support have so far been unanswered.

The successful Ski Tour Canada 2016, from March 1-12, which included the historic FIS cross-country World Cup finals in Canmore, Alta., marked the first time the legendary Crystal Globes were awarded outside of Europe.

SkiTrax’s previous report here.