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Holmenkollen 50 km race adopts simultaneous format for 2026 event

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Key Points
  • The 2026 Holmenkollen 50 km race will feature men and women starting simultaneously with a 45-minute gap.
  • Skiers will complete six laps on an 8.3 km course, with organizers hoping men lap before women start.
  • Athletes express excitement but uncertainty about fairness and dynamics in this new format.

According to sources, Holmenkollen and the 50 km race usually mean a big folk festival in Norway, but only on one day. This year, the International Ski Federation (FIS) has completely rethought and is running the races almost simultaneously. 3 km long course.

They hope the men will have time to lap before the women start. The last 50 km race in Holmenkollen, two years ago, had winning times of 2:06 on the men's side and 2:20 on the women's side. " He added, "The schedule is a bit tight, but we really hope it will work with 45 minutes so that it becomes fair.

It's fun that both can be part of the folk festival.

Stefan Thomson, Trainer

" Skier Ebba Andersson noted, "There have been some thoughts about where the men will be when we have started. It can actually have some significance for us women. " Whether the 45-minute gap will be sufficient for the men to lap before the women start remains uncertain.

How the simultaneous race format will affect the fairness and competition dynamics is also unclear. The event aims to create a unified folk festival experience for both genders.

The schedule is a bit tight, but we really hope it will work with 45 minutes so that it becomes fair. It depends a bit on the conditions.

Stefan Thomson, Trainer

There have been some thoughts about where the men will be when we have started. It can actually have some significance for us women. Suddenly we might have them behind our backs, or where are they?

Ebba Andersson, Skier

It will be exciting to see how it unfolds.

Ebba Andersson, Skier
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