The damage in Norway has almost caused greater concern in international cross-country ski circles than the snow no longer falling on what should be ski slopes.

At International Ski Federation (FIS) meetings, decision after decision was made to limit Norway's dominance; limitations in support apparatus, less money for large countries and smaller quotas for large countries.

Then suddenly the Norwegian stood with just one stage win from a possible eight in the Tour de Ski so far. And that only reinforces this early winter trend.

Transformation

Just look at this:

• Before Friday's 5km freestyle in Toblach, Norway had seven wins in the women's World Cup, while the other countries had six. This means that Norway still dominates, but in comparison, a year ago there were only two races that were not won by a Norwegian runner before American Jessica Diggins just won the 5 km freestyle in Toblach.
• On the men's side, the differences are even more striking. At this time last year, Italy's Federico Pellegrino, with his three sprint wins, was the only foreigner to beat Norway. Now Norway stands with “only” four wins from a possible 13 wins. With his five wins, Sergej Ustjugov has more wins than the Norwegian sprinters combined.
• The first 26 competitions in the World Cup have been won by 14 different runners from five countries: Sergej Ustjugov, Russia (5), Stina Nilsson, Sweden (4), Heidi Weng, Norway (3), Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, Norway (2 ), Martin Johnsrud Sundby, Norway (2), Calle Halfvarsson, Sweden (2), Krista Pärmäkoski, Finland (1), Jessica Diggins, USA (1), Marit Bjørgen, Norway (1), Maiken Caspersen Falla, Norway (1 ), Pål Golberg, Norway (1), Finn-Hågen Krogh, Norway (1), Iivo Niskanen, Finland (1), Matti Heikkinen, Finland (1).

Something has to be attributed to Therese Johaug not being allowed to compete. The point remains the same.

More interesting

– I think it's great for a sport that you don't know who will win. “I think everyone agrees that if it's smooth and interesting, it's good for holding the audience's attention,” Jessica Diggins told NRK.

The American girl won one of the minitour stages in Lillehammer, and finished second in a shared start with a ski change in Oberstdorf this week.

– It's funny that everyone has hope of winning. It would be more interesting if you didn't know, Diggins said.

It is not difficult to gain international support for this view.

– New picture

– This is a new image. Other countries are doing well. For sport, it's good if there are several countries competing for the podium and winning, said former German long-distance runner Tobias Angerer.

He should still see that his own people are better.

– In Germany, it is important to have a German in the lead, then the race is broadcast live on TV and gets a lot of coverage. At the moment we are not quite there, but we are on the way, said Angerer, who at the same time reassured Norway.

– In Norway, it might be a problem if you don't win everything at the moment, but you have to relax. In a few weeks there will be a toilet. “This is the peak and Norway will be very strong in Lahti,” he said.

– Norway's numbers are troubling

Sweden's Mathias Fredriksson is also confident Norway will fight back.

– We know that most of the good skiers come from Norway. The extent is truly unique, and you can see it. Norway can take the reserves on the podium. This does not happen in other countries. But it would be cool if all countries could reach the top and get on the podium, said the former World Cup winner who is now a skeptical commentator on SVT.

– Last year there were worrying numbers in Norway. Now more and more countries have runners in the top 10, so interest in these countries will also be greater, he said.