World Masters Association: Annual Assembly

From October 6th to 9th, the Annual Meeting of The World Masters Cross-Country Ski Association (WMA) took place in Klosters, Switzerland, with the participation of 20 skiing nations. After previously hosting the Masters World Cup in 2017, Klosters will once again be the venue in 2025. The experienced organizing committee had already demonstrated their expertise and passion for cross-country skiing during the first event. Board members had the opportunity to revisit all the locations and welcomed the planned relocation of the stadium. The Masters World Cup in Klosters is scheduled for March 10th to 15th, 2025. Just like in 2017, the MWC can be combined with participation in the Engadin Skimarathon on March 9th. The event organizer's website is already online at www.mwc2025.com.

Another important item on the delegates' agenda was updates from the organizing committee of MWC 2024, which will take place from February 10th to 16th in Vuokatti, Finland. Vuokatti previously hosted the Masters World Cup in 2016. Notably, they emphasized the new starting area and improvements made to the racecourses. All information can be found on the event organizer's website at www.mwc2024.com, where registrations are already open and can be done online through Datasport at www.datasport.com.

Additionally, the election of the WMA's board was on the agenda. John D. Downing (USA) was unanimously re-elected as President for another four-year term, as were Klaus Pleyer as Vice President (Switzerland) and Elisabeth Heckmann (Switzerland) as Vice President/Treasurer.

A heartfelt thank you and recognition were given to Warren Feakes, the longtime National Director of Australia, who chose to step down from his role within WMA. Feakes actively and successfully represented Australia in WMA from 2006 to 2023. He received a standing ovation from those in attendance.

Participants in the Masters World Cups will receive WMA points similar to FIS points. Board members were informed that the new ranking, valid for MWC 2024, can now be downloaded from https://www.world-masters-xc-skiing.com/media/wma_ranking_2024_1.pdf.

A prominent presentation was made regarding the bid for the MWC 2026 by Silvio Fauner for Sappada, Italy, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region. Those present were delighted to learn that, following Toblach, Folgaria, Brusson, and Asiago, Italy will once again host a Masters World Cup, and they unanimously approved Sappada's bid. The next annual meeting in 2024 will also be held in Sappada.

Plans for 2027 have already been set in motion. The WMA has received an expression of interest from Tromsø, Norway. In an impressive video message, Tromsø was introduced to the WMA Board.