Race Director Michal Lamplot previews new season
Nov 27, 2025·Cross-Country)
At the start of the new FIS World Cup campaign, we are publishing Q&As with the Race Directors of each discipline looking forward to a season highlighted by the Milano Cortina Olympic Winter Games.
Ahead of this weekend’s Cross-Country World Cup opener in Ruka (FIN), Race Director Michal Lamplot spoke to Inside FIS about his hopes for the campaign.
At the Spring Meetings you called 2024-25 “an amazing season”. How can you build on that, and what changes can we expect?
Michal Lamplot: Last winter truly was remarkable. We had a fantastic World Cup season and unforgettable World Ski Championships in Trondheim. It’s never easy to maintain that momentum, or even surpass it, but I’m confident the upcoming season will be equally exciting.
We’ve prepared a well-balanced World Cup calendar with distinct racing blocks and an engaging mix of formats. Several rest weekends have also been added to help athletes train and recover between events.
An Olympic season is always special, and I’m sure we’ll see thrilling competitions all the way through to March 22. My biggest hope is that all athletes stay healthy and able to perform at their very best.
We’re all looking forward to the 20th edition of the Tour de Ski. What are you hoping to see from the new Heat Mass Start format in Stage 3 in Toblach?
Lamplot: It’s incredible to think the Tour de Ski is already entering its 20th edition. This year’s Tour is compact, with all six stages held in Toblach and Val di Fiemme. It will make logistics very smooth for teams and, I hope, ensure that we see a full field at the start line.
The new Heat Mass Start should bring a lot of excitement. We’ve worked extensively with all stakeholders on the format - rules, TV presentation, and overall flow. I’m hoping for a thrilling but fair race, and I’m confident the work invested will pay off.
The Tour de Ski will again just be held in Italy. Would you like to expand the number of nations involved?
Lamplot: Holding the Tour de Ski entirely in Italy has proven successful. It offers many advantages for athletes and teams, and both Toblach and Val di Fiemme have invested significantly in developing the events. We’re grateful for their commitment. Looking ahead, we certainly want to explore ways to involve additional host nations.
Obviously, the highlight of the season is the Olympic Winter Games. How happy are you with preparations in and around the Val di Fiemme venue?
Lamplot: The readiness in Val di Fiemme is very strong. Of course, there is still much work to be done in the coming weeks to deliver the Games, but we are progressing well.
Together with the organizer, we’ve developed excellent courses that will showcase Cross-Country Skiing at its best to a global audience. The recent infrastructure investments have elevated Val di Fiemme to an entirely new level, and it is now one of the premier Cross-Country Skiing venues in the world.
The 50km races in Holmenkollen are back this season. How much are you looking forward to that?
Lamplot: It’s fantastic to have the 50km back on the calendar. The Holmenkollen 50km is iconic, steeped in history and tradition. And for the first time, women and men will race on the same day on March 14. That will allow both competitions to experience the electrifying atmosphere that makes Holmenkollen such a special place.
Are there any storylines or athletes that you’re particularly looking forward to seeing this season?
Lamplot: We can expect outstanding performances and fair, exciting racing throughout the season. It’s hard to highlight just one storyline. However, I think the season finale in Lake Placid, USA, will be exceptional and provide a fantastic stage to close out the World Cup season.
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