(Reuters) – The 2022-23 season of the cross-country snowboarding World Cup will see men and women race throughout equal distances, the International Ski Federation (FIS) mentioned on Wednesday.
The determination was handed following a vote throughout FIS’ cross-country committee assembly, with standardised distances for the upcoming season set at 10 km, 20 km, Skiathlon (10 km + 10 km) and 50 km.
Prior to Wednesday’s vote, the distances had been 15 km, 30 km, Skiathlon (15 km + 15 km) and 50 km for men, whereas women competed in 10 km, 15 km, Skiathlon (7.5 km + 7.5 km) and 30 km.
“The query, if women and men are to race equal distances has been a vital subject for years and a distinguished dialogue constructing as much as this yr’s cross-country committee conferences as the choice was on the agenda,” FIS mentioned https://www.fis-ski.com/en/cross-country/cross-country-news-multimedia/information/2021-22/updates-from-the-cross-country-committee-spring-meeting-2022.
“With 57%, the CCC voted for equal distances for women and men. A historic determination. The implementation will likely be efficient from the upcoming World Cup season …
“The determination whether or not to implement it on World Ski Championships stage will likely be mentioned with all stakeholders and determined in May 2023.”
FIS added that distances for Junior and U23 World Ski Championships and Youth Olympic Games ranges will even be equal.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in Bengaluru, modifying by Pritha Sarkar)
