The IBU's technical committee will meet on Tuesday and then they will submit a proposal to the IBU's board, which in turn will lay down the rules for the upcoming World Cup season at a board conference next weekend.

One of the points at the technical committee meeting concerns whether skiers who cannot qualify for the World Cup via the canceled IBU Cup will be granted an exemption or not.

One of them is the Swedish star Stina Nilsson.

- I have not heard any proposal.

But it comes up as a matter we are going to discuss.

And I would think that we will come to a decision that the qualification will not be as it was before.

We may have to ease the qualifying rules for the first World Cup competitions, says Kari Korpela.

Qualification via VC

Korpela does not want to precede the committee's meeting, but believes that it can be an opening so that all skiers can qualify for continued World Cup competition during the first World Cup weekend.

- From there, the usual World Cup rules apply.

That you have to reach a certain level, which is calculated based on certain points.

If Stina were to go to the first World Cup competitions, she would have to keep that level.

And it is not very high, says Kari Korpela.

- I dare not say that it will be so.

We must have a meeting first and reason, and in the end it is the board that decides.

But it is rare that the board goes against the technical committee's proposal, unless there is a special reason, he continues.

Between the lines, does it still sound like the chances are good that it will be so?


- I think the chances are there.

Somehow you have to solve the problem.

This does not only apply to Stina, but other nations also have skiers with whom they want to fill their quotas.

says Kari Korpela.

In that case, to compete further, what position does Stina need to take then?

- It is a bit difficult to measure like that, because it is connected with the results of the top riders.

There can be big differences.

But normally, it is enough that she is among the 50-60 best.

Then it is quite calm, says Kari Korpela.