Due to the complicated political situation between Russia and the Ukraine, the FIS is looking into alternate options for the FIS World Cup final. The 3-day event is currently scheduled for Tyumen, Russia, March 18-20. 

“There is a lot of uncertainty, so it is our duty to prepare plan B. But now we plan to hold all the upcoming competitions on schedule,” says FIS race director Pierre Mignerey to SVT.   

President of the Swedish Ski Association Ola Strömberg confirms that Östersund is one of the options that the FIS is considering if they need to move the World Cup races in March. 

The FIS World Cup final is a three-day event featuring three races for both men and women: Sprint, mass start and pursuit. 

“FIS has asked Östersund to be ready to step in if need be. They (Östersund) have previously voiced interest in organizing cross-country ski races, so if the FIS asks them specifically, I am sure they will do their best to host the World Cup final,” Strömberg says. 

This weekend, the FIS cross-country World Cup resumes in Lahti, Finland. The upcoming races are the first cross-country World Cup events since the last stage of the Tour de Ski on January 4.