The modern history of major ski competitions in Gällivare began in 1995. That year, the junior WC in the Nordic ski disciplines was first arranged in the spring and a competition in the World Cup in November.
Memorable competitions
It was not until 2004 when the World Cup returned to Gällivare.
This time, the event was taken over from snow-crisis Östersund at short notice.
After that, the event returned in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
The competitions in 2008 were especially memorable when both Charlotte Kalla and Marcus Hellner won in front of the home crowd.
After 2013, the World Cup premiere always takes place in Ruka in northern Finland, but Gällivare's success with the international events had not gone unnoticed by the Swedish Ski Association.
Get to see the stars up close
Gällivare now has the confidence to arrange the Swedish premiere every two years, which also usually has the participation of foreign national teams at training camps.
It is one of the few opportunities to see Charlotte Kalla, Frida Karlsson and the other Swedish world stars up close.
- The competition is important for the interest, both among the non-profit forces and for the municipal government.
If interest increases, we have better conditions, says Leif Johansson.
In the video, competition manager Leif Johansson and bank manager Bernt Karlsson provide all the conditions for this year's competitions.