FIS Cross-Country World Cup gets underway way in two weeks. Last year you had several challenges with critical snow conditions in some venues. What is the situation this winter?
Pierre Mignerey: We all know that we cannot control “mother nature”. Nevertheless, together with the Organising Committees we have been trying to limit the impact of lack of snow at our World Cups. We asked each OC to prepare concrete snow production and/or snow storage plans. During the summer inspections, we also informed all Organisers that snow transportation plans and salting regulations must be reviewed and checked with local authorities.

Another important step was the improvement of the decision-making process in case of lack of snow. The conditions and procedure of moving a World Cup event to another venue has been simplified. From this season on, it will also be less financially demanding to move an event to a substitute resort.

Unlike last year, the season won’t begin with a stage event in Ruka but moves to Lillehammer. What can we expect during the first World Cup weekend?
PM: As usual, everybody is impatient and looking forward to the first competitions of the season. Everyone is eager to find out who is in shape, who is not, if the training was good, if some youngsters can break into the top rankings, if Peter Northug (NOR) is back in top form. So as usual, the beginning of the season will be truly exciting.

Are there any important rule changes?
PM: We have had too many false starts during the sprint finals in previous seasons. Therefore, we decided to give written reprimands, the-so-called yellow cards to all athletes who make false starts, including the first offender.  If an athlete gets two yellow cards it means they will be disqualified from the competition. We believe that this rule will significantly reduce the number of false starts, especially intentional ones.

Another novelty will be tested after the World Championships in Falun. At the end of the season, a new model of the heat assignment to the sprint final heats will be organised in Lahti and Drammen. It has been a disadvantage to be in quarter-final 3 and 4. The principle is that qualified athletes will get the possibility to choose their quarter-final.

After the 2014 Olympic Winter Games, the new season is again featuring two highlights: The Tour de Ski and the World Championships in Falun. What is the status in Sweden?
PM: Falun is now a completely new venue. There is a new course system, there are new buildings in the stadium, and a new team area. The venue is ready and has a very high standard. The OC is now in the final preparations and is basically ready to host the Championships. Cross-Country skiing fans will again be enjoying very nice competitions.

The previous Tour de Ski was unlucky with the start, how will the 2015 edition look?
PM: Last year was really difficult due to snow conditions at the first stage in Oberhof (GER). We were forced to change the Tour de Ski programme and, of course, that was not the best situation. Nevertheless, the Tour has as always been exciting and really interesting for athletes, spectators and TV viewers alike.

The 2015 edition will start in Oberstdorf (GER). It will then move on to Val Müstair (SUI) and will conclude with four stages in Italy with the famous Cortina to Toblach race and the final climb on the Alpe Cermis. I believe that once again the Tour will be a thrilling battle all the way until the end.

On the long-term, what are the biggest challenges that are lie ahead for cross-country Skiing?
PM: Our main goal is to build our World Cup calendar around strong annual events. Our calendar frame is now quite stable and this is good for all the stakeholders. However, the programme in January is still one of our main weaknesses and I really think that it is important for us to create a strong event in this period, which would take place every year. At the same time we need to intensify integration of existing and potential markets such as Russia, North America and Asia.

One of the biggest challenges we have been facing is the climate changes which must be taken into consideration when the calendars are established. Good events, good promotion, good development for our discipline can only be done if we have good snow conditions.