Cross Country Skiing
Marking 20 Years in Style: FIS Cross Country Invites Fans to Shape the Future of Tour de Ski
July 03, 2025 / FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation)
FIS Cross-Country is launching a public logo design contest to celebrate the 20th anniversary edition of the Tour de Ski in 2025. Fans, designers, and FIS staff are invited to submit original concepts that incorporate FIS branding and highlight the Tour’s legacy, with entries due by July 20, 2025. The winning logo will be used across all official Tour de Ski 2025 communications and materials.
Halfvarsson on his new push: “There can be a million doubters”
June 29, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Swedish cross-country skier Calle Halfvarsson kicked off his Olympic-season campaign by winning the mass start on roller skis at Sweden’s National Championships Week in Norrköping. After a stop‑start winter and back issues, he has chosen to prepare outside the national team to control his build‑up for the classic sprint next winter. His goal is to challenge Johannes Høsflot Klæbo at the Olympic sprint, saying he welcomes doubters while setting ambitious targets.
Comment: One picture shows why Victoria Carl is unlikely to race at the Milan Olympics
June 28, 2025 / Yle
Yle’s Pekka Holopainen argues that German Olympic champion Victoria Carl is very unlikely to compete at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics after testing positive for clenbuterol. Although Carl and the German federation say an army doctor mistakenly gave her Spasmo Mucosolvan (which contains clenbuterol) instead of Mucosolvan, the article stresses athlete responsibility: the drug package clearly lists clenbuterol, a substance behind hundreds of doping cases. Drawing parallels to Therese Johaug’s case, Holopainen says even a reduced ban would likely keep Carl out, which could influence relay medal prospects for rivals like Finland.
Mexico tries to recruit Norwegian legend Petter Northug — federation chief tells Yle what’s on the table and the path to a nationality switch
June 26, 2025 / Yle
Retired Norwegian cross-country icon Petter Northug is exploring a return to top-level competition by switching nationality, with Mexico emerging as the most serious option. Mexican Ski Federation president Carlos Pruneda says talks have involved Norway-based Mexican skier Allan Corona and Mexico’s ambassador in Norway, and outlines the paperwork and approvals needed from the Norwegian and Mexican federations and FIS. Pruneda believes Northug would bring leadership, attention and potential sponsors to Mexico’s tiny program, while FIS media-rights money and roller skiing initiatives are being used to grow the sport in the country.
“The athlete is responsible for what they ingest” – expert surprised Olympic champion Victoria Carl tested positive for clenbuterol
June 26, 2025 / Yle
Finnish anti-doping expert Pekka Rauhala said he was surprised that Germany’s Olympic cross‑country skier Victoria Carl returned a positive test for clenbuterol, a drug that in high doses can promote muscle growth and is on WADA’s prohibited list. The German Ski Association says Carl received a cough medicine containing clenbuterol from a military doctor during the Military World Championships, citing unfortunate organizational and medical circumstances, and argues she should not be blamed. Rauhala did not assess the German explanation but emphasized that athletes are ultimately responsible for checking the ingredients of any medication they take.
Special Tour de Ski format, and return of Holmenkollen 50km
June 26, 2025 / FIS
FIS announces two major cross-country highlights for the 2025/26 World Cup season: a new Heats Mass Start stage in the Tour de Ski at Toblach on New Year’s Eve, and the comeback of the Holmenkollen 50 km with both men and women racing 50 km on the same day. The Heats Mass Start will run multiple timed mass-start heats per gender with the fastest overall time winning, while Holmenkollen will feature men starting first and women 45 minutes later for over three hours of continuous racing.
Olympic champion Victoria Carl returns positive test for clenbuterol — federation says she is not at fault
June 25, 2025 / Yle
Germany’s cross‑country skier Victoria Carl tested positive for clenbuterol from a late‑March sample. The German Ski Association says the substance came from a cough syrup prescribed and administered by a Bundeswehr doctor during the Military World Championships, after a pharmacy error supplied a combination product containing clenbuterol. Both the federation and the German armed forces back Carl, calling for a nuanced assessment and arguing a ban would be unjust given the circumstances, while the German anti‑doping agency has opened an investigation.
Positive doping test for cross-country star Victoria Carl
June 25, 2025 / Sportschau (MDR)
Germany’s Victoria Carl tested positive for the banned substance clenbuterol following the 2024–25 season, which the German Ski Association says came from a cough syrup prescribed by a Bundeswehr doctor during the Military World Games on March 26. The Bundeswehr medical service accepted responsibility, calling it an organizational error after an incorrect product (Spasmo Mucosolvan with clenbuterol) was dispensed instead of Mucosolvan. NADA has opened a case; Carl faces a potential ban that could jeopardize her Milan-Cortina 2026 participation, with the DSV hoping for acquittal and citing precedent such as Therese Johaug’s 18‑month ban in a different medication case.
Germany’s Victoria Carl, World Cup overall runner-up, tests positive for clenbuterol
June 25, 2025 / L'Équipe
The German ski federation announced that Victoria Carl, second in the 2024–25 Cross-Country World Cup overall standings and 2022 Olympic team sprint champion, tested positive out of competition for clenbuterol. DSV says the drug came from a cough syrup prescribed and administered by a military doctor on March 26 after the Military World Games in Lucerne to treat acute spasmodic bronchitis. Germany’s NADA has opened an investigation; the federation argues a ban would be disproportionate and could jeopardize Carl’s participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Falun plans carefully to avoid Trondheim’s financial fiasco at the Nordic Worlds: “It requires precision”
June 18, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Following the major financial loss reported by the Trondheim 2025 Nordic World Ski Championships, Falun 2027 organizers say they are tightening planning to avoid a similar outcome. Event CEO Jonas Peterson stresses assembling a sharp organization with specialist expertise and extra‑careful budgeting and operations. Trondheim had expected a SEK 15–20 million surplus but now faces a potential loss of up to SEK 50 million.
National Team Selection for Cross-Country Skiing: Kalvå and Tønseth Not Selected
April 28, 2025 / NRK
The Norwegian national team selection for cross-country skiing sees Therese Johaug named while Anne Kjersti Kalvå and Didrik Tønseth miss out. Experts emphasize the urgency for Johaug to decide on her Olympic ambitions ahead of the upcoming competitions.
Immo Kuutsa promoted Iisalmi skiing for over 50 years – skiers received special treatment even in school
April 27, 2025 / Yle
The passing of legendary ski coach Immo Kuutsa has deeply affected enthusiasts of skiing in Iisalmi. Kuutsa dedicated over 50 years to various roles related to skiing, especially in the Iisalmi Ski Club. Colleagues and former athletes recall his energetic and impactful presence in promoting skiing.