MOSCOW, May 5 Head of the Committee for Cross-country Skiing in the International Ski Federation (FIS) Norwegian Vegard Ulvang responded to Russian skier Veronika Stepanova that women might be better suited for longer races. Ulvang had previously suggested equalizing distances for men and women. Stepanova called it unrealistic to hold a 50 km race for women due to the difference in physiology and training, and also noted that the 50 km race, which, in her opinion, will last 2.5 hours for women, is not the best attraction for spectators. «Very surprising that this argument is used because we have a lot of information about it. Women are perhaps better equipped than men to run long distances. For me, this change has a symbolic meaning, in addition to important practical and economic significance, » — quotes the words of Ulwang Nettavisen.
