TOUR DE SKI. The seventh edition of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear will kick off in just a week, on 29th December 2012.

Due to the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships scheduled in Val di Fiemme from 20th February until 3rd March, the Tour will be shorter featuring just seven stages in nine days this year.

Traditionally, the Tour kicks off in Oberhof with a free technique prologue, 3 km ladies and 4 km men, on Saturday. A classical pursuit competition over 9 km for the ladies and 15 km for the men is scheduled on Sunday, 30th December 2012. Unlike in the previous editions of the Tour, Oberhof will be the only German host this year.

The last day of 2012 will feature one of the two rest days. On 1st January, Switzerland will host the first Tour stage in history. A free technique 1.4 km long sprint will be held in Val Müstair, the home of Dario Cologna. He was born in St. Maria, which lies only 8 km from Tschierv, the competition venue. Dario Cologna’a successes and growing reputation has increased the popularity of Cross-Country Skiing in the region.

After another rest day, it will be time for the first Italian stages in Cortina and Toblach. The men will compete on the longest stage of the tour – 35 km free technique pursuit from Cortina to Toblach – and the ladies’ 15km free are on schedule on 3rd January 2013. The day after, a short classical individual start competitions over 3 km for the ladies and 5 for the men will take place in Toblach before moving for the final phase of the Tour in Val di Fiemme.

Val di Fiemme is the traditional host of the final stages of all editions of the FIS Tour de Ski and has become the trademark of the toughest stage-competition on the World Cup circuit. The competition program on Saturday, 5th January contains 10 km mass start classic ladies and 15 km mass start classic men. The seventh and final competition day of the FIS Tour de Ski 2012/13 traditionally features the famous Final Climb onto Alpe Cermis. Both ladies and men will have to ski the final 9 km and 425 meters of elevation, which will determine the winners of the 2012/13 edition.

The snow conditions are looking good at all the Tour venues. All FIS Tour de Ski hosts have received snowfall in the past days or were able to produce snow. The seventh edition of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear can start: We are ready - do join us on the Tour 2012/2013!

FIScrosscountry.com
Wednesday 19 December 2012