It was a somewhat surprising announcement that the International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) made at the beginning of the month: a proposal to introduce annual world championships in disciplines such as cross-country skiing and alpine skiing in the future.
Ebba Andersson was also surprised, but not particularly impressed.
"To be honest, I was a little disappointed when I heard the news. Because I feel that the championships should be something a little extra," says Andersson on the phone from the Swedish national team's pre-season camp in Meråker, Norway.
Won three World Championship gold medals
World Championships only every two years, and the Olympics every four, have been just enough to build up that special feeling, says the 29-year-old, who won three World Championship gold medals in Trondheim in 2025 and an Olympic gold medal in the five-mile in Italy earlier this year.
"That's how it's been for me throughout my career. So I'm a little afraid that it's losing the extra spark that championships still have," says Andersson.
World Championships in Falun 2027
She also believes that more parts of cross-country skiing could suffer. Among other things, she asks herself which years should be focused entirely on the World Cup.
There has been something positive in the fact that there has been no championship every fourth year. Then there has been a much greater focus on the overall World Cup and you have been able to prioritise a little differently compared to during a championship season. And if you have a gap year, it also gives you the opportunity to try some new things in your venture.
The next World Ski Championships will be held in Falun in late February/early March. The new arrangement of the World Championships every year is intended to come into effect from 2032, but FIS has also opened up the possibility of implementing the change as early as 2028.
