The proposal has been on the table for some time, but on Wednesday the final decision was made;
The same length for ladies and men in the World Cup race next season.
SVT Sports expert Anders Blomquist is positive to the news.
- That ladies and gentlemen compete at the same distances, it was really about time, he says.
10, 20 and 30 kilometers are the distances that will apply in the World Cup this winter, which means that the ladies will also ride the classic five miles in Holmenkollen.
- Since you have decided on these distances, I'm not so sure, it is a test activity where you have to test yourself which distances will be best to run the World Cup, says Blomquist.
Equal distances for ladies and men, on the other hand, will not end up in the WC program until 2025 in Trondheim.
Blomquist on the riders' resistance: "Surprised"
When World Cup skiers themselves had to answer a survey, conducted by Norwegian NRK, about what they thought about going as far as men, 88 percent of women answered that they were against it.
- I was surprised, I thought more people would be in the mood for the competition program to look the same for ladies and gentlemen, says Blomquist.
Critics say that women's races are becoming less interesting with larger margins now, what do you say about that?
- It can happen if you have someone who is as superior as Johaug has been, it would not have been very dramatic to see her ride 50 km, but you can not do a competition program after an individual rider's fantastic level, but get to see it on longer term and that ladies and gentlemen should go the same distance, I take for granted, says Blomquist.