Olympic season leads to record participation for World Cup opener

Ruka Nordic will this year host a record number in World Cup competitions and in the number of participating nations.

The number of teams will definitely show the impact of the Olympic Games. It is a highlight of the winter sports season and for many of it the preparations for the races will start from Ruka in November. This is a very great thing for us, Seppo Linjakumpu, Secretary General of Ruka Nordic comments in the organizers' press release.

Mika Kulmala, Executive Director of the Finnish Ski Federation, also delights in the growth of competitions. "It's great to have a record number of participating teams. This also strengthens Ruka Nordic's position in the FIS Tournament Calendar and the position of competition in the global skiing world. Also this year, Ruka is a big competition."

11 races and over 30 countries

The number of World Cup competitions increased this year to a record 11 races. Ruka Nordic's previous competition record was ten, which was last seen in 2015 and earlier in 2010.

Participating countries have been confirmed for 34 nations. This year, Ruka will see for the first time Turkey in ski jumping and Iceland for cross-country skiing. The previous record for participating countries was 29 teams.

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