Green light for Rally Sweden despite complaints from breeders

After several weeks of doubt, it appears that the latest demands of the Sami herders will not lead to changes in the division of the event. Anna Nordkvist, Vice-President for Sport in Europe at the FIA and boss of the Rally Sweden, was confident before the start and does not plan to move the event.

Published 13/02/2025 à 10:36

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Green light for Rally Sweden despite complaints from breeders

Anna Nordkvist, the head of the Swedish rally, is confident that her event will be able to take place in good conditions © Nikos Katikis/DPPI

What is the situation a few hours before the start of your event?

There was no change. We were allowed to play the rally, we still have it…as long as it is not questioned. The complaints from one of the villages (Rans, editor’s note) have been forwarded to the higher authorities, but as long as they do not make a decision, the race continues.

Does this mean that a decision could be made at any time? Friday, Saturday... which would require changing the route?

According to the information I have, this authority will not have time to decide on the situation in the coming days, which means that we are keeping our authorization. In what is granted to us, we must respect the farmers and reindeer herders of the region and that is what we are going to do.

Were you surprised by the scale of the demands that came in a few weeks before the rally?

Not really. We have been having this kind of discussion since the event was brought to Umeå in 2022. There were already problems during the first edition when we had to change our route. This means that we have to work even closer with the people in the region, but also the authorities who issue us the permits to race because knowing about these problems so late is really difficult for the organization to deal with.

In the province of Västerbotten, would it not be possible to find other areas to draw special stages?

No. We must respect local practices and come to an agreement with landowners.

Would it be possible to leave Umeå so that these problems with the reindeer would no longer arise?

I really don't want to. We already moved from Värmland because of the climate to avoid the problem of lack of snow and ice. I think we have found "our home" in Umeå. It's not just about the winter conditions. There has to be an environment with accommodation and roads to make a route. The city is very happy to welcome us and we have to keep a constant dialogue with the breeders to solve these problems.

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