–International Ski Federation (FIS) course coordinator Hermod Bjoerkestol (of Hermod’s Hill at Soldier Hollow) writes to Langrenn with an interesting editorial about why loops at race venues have gotten shorter. It’s a good read for people interested in the influence of TV, and FIS’s efforts to grow the sport.

–The organizers of the 2009 World Ski Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic, led by Czech champion Katerina Neumannova, are being sued for over $6 million U.S. in debt. According to a report in the Prague Monitor, profits from the event were not as large as expected. Corruption appears to have been a big problem at the event – two men have already been sued regarding a contract greater than $1 million US, and more cases are expected.

–Langrenn also has a short profile of Norwegian sprinter John Kristian Dahl, who came in second at last year’s World Cup sprint in Canmore, but missed out on a berth at the Olympic Games.

–The Province has an in-depth profile of Canadian Paralympian/Olympian Brian McKeever.

–After losing its charity status, Biathlon Canada’s executive director is saying that the group’s lawyers assured her that a tax shelter arrangement was legal.

–FIS has an interview with Czech skier Lukas Bauer.

–FIS has two interviews, one with famed Norwegian course designer Hermod Bjoerkestol, and another with Oslo 2011 World Championships Sports Director John Aalberg.

–After former senator Ted Stevens’ death earlier this week, Time Magazine had a brief mention of how Stevens helped secure $500,000 in funding for upgrades to Kincaid Park in Anchorage in 2004. According to a story in the Anchorage Daily News, the money was for “soccer fields, biathlon range improvements and a well-water system that would allow ski groups to make snow when there isn’t enough naturally.”

–Apparently, it’s news in Minneapolis that cross-country skiers train in the summer.

–Also, someone on Twitter discovered the new company name that will be formed out of Toko and Swix.