Finland's ski federation will not campaign against Russian cross-country skiers taking part in the World Cup opener in Ruka later this season, its chair has told Dagens Nyheter. Sirpa Korkatti said the federation is disappointed that Russian athletes have been cleared to compete under a neutral flag but intends to abide by the decisions taken by the sport's governing bodies.
Her comments set Finland apart from Sweden, whose ski federation has asked its government to deny visas to Russian skiers ahead of the 2027 World Championships in Falun.
Why it matters
The two Nordic neighbours have broadly shared the same view of Russia's presence in cross-country skiing, according to Korkatti. Where they now differ is in how far they are willing to go to keep Russian athletes out.
Sweden has taken its objection to the political level, while Finland has chosen to accept the international framework even though it disagrees with the outcome. With the World Cup season due to start in Ruka at the end of November, the split raises questions about how uniform the Nordic position will remain as the Falun championships approach.
Russians cleared as FIS eases rules
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has relaxed the conditions athletes from Russia and Belarus must meet to be granted neutral status for the coming season, Dagens Nyheter reports. Across all disciplines the federation oversees, 80 Russian and 12 Belarusian athletes have been given permission to compete.
That marks a sharp increase on last season, when neutral status was granted to three Russian cross-country skiers: Savelij Korosteljov, Darja Neprjajeva and Nikita Denisov. Denisov did not take part in any international competitions. All three have been approved again.
Korkatti told Dagens Nyheter that the Finnish federation finds the situation difficult. She said the body still believes the timing is wrong, but that it has to follow the rulings that have been made and live with them.
She added that she is personally disappointed that athletes are on their way back into competition.
Sweden's visa push and a surprised Finland
Sweden's approach was set out last week, when Swedish Ski Association secretary general Pernilla Bonde told SVT that the federation wants Russian skiers barred from the Falun 2027 World Championships. According to Dagens Nyheter, Bonde said the Swedish body is lobbying the government in the hope that Russian athletes will not be issued visas to enter Sweden.
Korkatti said the Finnish federation has not yet decided whether to take a similar route and press its own government. Nor, she said, has there been any dialogue with the Swedish federation on the subject.
She noted that the Swedish stance was announced very recently and that her federation has not had time to discuss it, though she expects the topic to come up at some point.
What caught her by surprise, she said, was the method and the line Sweden chose to take, rather than the underlying position. She said she is mentally keeping her fingers crossed that the Swedish federation gets its way.
What to watch
Whether Finland's ski federation opens talks with its government, and whether other Nordic bodies follow Sweden's lead, will shape the run-up to Falun 2027. The first test comes when the World Cup season opens in Ruka at the end of November.
