Equal Distances: Weekend talk with Virginia De Martin

Virginia De Martin has been representing the FIS Cross-Country athletes view in the Cross-Country Committee and the FIS Council, together with her fellow representant, Martti Jyhlä.

Over one month has passed since the decision on introducing equal distances for women and men was announced. Time to get back together with Virginia to find out more on what experiences she made before and after the decision was taken, in her role as the athletes representative.

Interview

In preparation for the discussions at the Cross-Country Committee about implementing equal distances, athletes had the chance to share their views on the topic via the annual athletes survey, which is conducted by the athletes representatives. When asked whether they wanted to race equal distances (regardless of what distance), the majority of athletes (67% of male athletes and 88% of female athletes) chose not to be wanting to race equal distances.

FIS Cross-Country: Virginia, what stands behind these statements from the athletes survey?

Virginia De Martin: For us as athletes representatives, these numbers were really quite surprising. Even if the blank numbers in the past athletes survey had always shown the majority to vote against racing equal distances, we still noticed a strong trend towards accepting to race equal distances. I see several possible reasons behind the numbers from the survey.

First, some athletes interpreted the questions on ‘racing equal distances’ in a way assuming that all races for women will be adapted to the current race distances of men. The survey indeed did not contain the final proposal of what exact distances were to race for women – as this discussion only happened during the FIS Spring meetings one month after the survey was sent out. Therefore it might have been difficult to imagine how such a change could be implemented.

Another reason, especially for women, might have been the fear that longer distances might "kill the show" because of larger distances between the racers.

Some athletes also respond with a certain sluggishness towards major changes, which can of course also have had an impact on the responses. It usually takes time before big changes are accepted, even though the athletes are willing to help developing the sport.

FIS Cross-Country: Do you have any indicators what athletes, who voted to race equal distances, see as the biggest chances of this decision?

Virginia De Martin: I would say mainly an opportunity for gender equity. We have received for several years comments from athletes about the need for Cross-Country skiing to comply with gender equity (although our sport was already gender equal in many other aspects!). In addition, the appealing opportunity for women to race famous "men races" like the 50km in Holmenkollen might have been a strong drive.

FIS Cross-Country: The athletes views are an important factor and one indicator of many for creating the final framework for the World Cup. As former athlete and athletes representative, you are still in touch with active athletes. What impact does racing equal distances have on a professional - physically and mentally?

Virginia De Martin: Regarding this specific proposal, I personally do not think it will massively change the conditions for athletes, both physically and mentally. Conditions like overtraining and DE/ED are present already today with the current distances and are not a direct consequence of race distance (that said, we should take good care of it).

I see this as an important opportunity both to simplify the sport and make it more understandable for the audience, as well as allowing women improved and equal opportunities in terms of rights and visibility. We should maybe remember the history behind why women are racing the current distances: they were allowed to race at World Cup level right from the beginning of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup – but were always thought to be “less capable” than men. This mindset definitely has no room anymore in our generation.

FIS Cross-Country: Mixed gender events were a great success in the past season and are on schedule for the upcoming season too. Where do you see the future of those events in the World Cup or at title events?

Virginia De Martin: I really hope that both mixed gender events as well as mixed events (relays) will be more and more present in the World Cup calendar. Additionally, I can really see mixed gender competitions taking a spot in major events (already successful in biathlon!). In addition to being spectacular events, I see an opportunity to push more teams (alongside with other supporting measures) to grow and take part in these competitions.