From 29th September to 2nd October, the annual meeting of the World Masters Cross Country Ski Association (WMA) took place in Vuokatti (FIN) with representatives from 17 nations, marking the first physical meeting in more than two years.
Vuokatti Sport Resort OY, an Olympic training center in the north of Finland, was a professional organizer for 2024, in additional to being an experienced Masters organizer, hosting the Masters World Cup in 2016.
The autumn meeting served as both the inspection of all locations of future organizers and the annual meeting of the WMA.
The meeting started on Friday with the presentation of the organization team of Vuokatti. Subsequently, the National Directors had the opportunity to complete the first cross-country skiing machines of the new season in the world’s first ski tunnel. The ski tunnel is 1.2km long with easy access and runs, offering a good transition from summer training and preparation for winter.
Saturday was the annual meeting of the WMA. In addition to the daily business, ¬other important topics were on the agenda, including the official admission of new National Directors. Poland has been a member of the WMA for some time, but the new National Director Andrzej Guzinski was able to attend in person for the first time after the pandemic. Japan also has new National Director in Kenji Takai and will compete with a team for the first time at the MWC in Seefeld. Taiwan and its representative Jeff Wang were also newly admitted to the WMA.
The organizing committee of Seefeld/Hirschau was online and gave an information update on the current status of the preparation work for the Masters World Cup in Seefeld / Tyrol from 18-24 March 2023. As in previous years, registrations will be made online at www.datasport.com.
The WMA has received an application for the year 2025 from Sappada/ITA. In February, WMA representatives will carry out an inspection of the infrastructure and courses. At the 2023 annual meeting, a decision on the application will then be made.
The tour of the routes then took place in the afternoon. The National Directors focused on the 5km, 7.5km and 10km routes, which will be prepared for 2024 for both free and classic techniques.
When evaluating the venues, the WMA Executive always makes sure that sufficient and suitable accommodation is available in the immediate vicinity of the ski stadiums. This is ensured in both Seefeld 2023 and Vuokatti 2024.
With positive impressions On Sunday, all participants started the return journey to their home countries satisfied. Now it is time to promote the MWC 2023 in Seefeld. Here, the National Directors have a duty to attract as many participants as possible.
