October 11, 2008 (Zurich, SUI) – The cross-country division had a busy schedule in Zurich. Besides the meetings of the FIS sub-committee for World and Continental Cups and the FIS Cross-Country Executive Board, an update for the World Cup Technical Delegates (TDs) and an organizers’ seminar were held. In the seminar, the emphasis was on finding practical solutions for specific aspects of sports organization, logistics/media and spectator animation.

Long-term calendar planning for the FIS Cross-Country World Cup for the upcoming five seasons was probably the most important subject in the Sub-Committee for World and Continental Cups and the Executive Board.
Both bodies agreed on the principal criteria of the World Cup calendar. These are to establish venues that return year after year; deliver high quality in sports organization and marketing and good general standard of organization; invest in cross-country skiing; might represent a new country or market; and can secure high level TV production. All members supported including four “season highlights” in a single season. As an example, from 2009/2010 on, these will be the second cross-country weekend as a 3-day event in Kuusamo/Ruka (Fin) including the so-called “Ruka up and down” competition, the FIS Tour de Ski, the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships or the Olympic Winter Games and, last but not least, the World Cup Final.

The four semi-professional Technical Delegate Assistants, who will share the position of the FIS TD Assistant at all World Cup events this winter and provide more extensive support to the local Organizing Committees were also announced. Welcome on board Georgy Kadikov (Rus), Uros Ponikvar (Slo), Jussi Prykäri (Fin) and Georg Zipfel (Ger)!

Nordic Combined
On the basis of the so-called Funnel System, a structured consultative process that engages the National Ski Associations in the decision-making, the Zurich meeting of the Nordic Combined Committee was able to focus on the additional feedback received on the proposals for the planned significant changes in the competition format.

Upon review of all comments, the Committee unanimously supported the changes that foresee the simplification of the competition format to just one jump followed by a 10km cross-country ski race. The compact rules are expected to benefit the discipline and the Committee sees the year 2008 as a milestone for Nordic Combined before entering the World Cup season 2008/09 with modernized rules and a historical opportunity to return to a leading position inside the world of winter sports. These changes are subject to confirmation by the FIS Council in its Levi (Fin) meeting in November 2008.

At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Liberec 2009, there will be four medals events in Nordic Combined. The mass start event will be staged as a 10km cross-country ski race followed by two jumps on the normal hill. In addition there will be two Gundersen competitions consisting of a jump on the normal and large hill each followed by a 10km cross-country ski race both times. The team competition will also be jumped on the large hill and will entail a relay of 4×5 km.