The next ten days will see a full program of FIS World Cup highlights. Fans of skiing and snowboarding that do not find themselves on the slopes and trails of the world will have the chance to enjoy a total of 45 FIS World Cup competitions between 1st and 10th January. All six FIS World Cup series are in full swing in different parts of Central Europe and North America.

After the Four-Hills-Tournament got underway in Oberstdorf (GER) on Tuesday, it will continue with the traditional New Year's Jumping in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, followed by the Austrian sites of Innsbruck on 3rd and Bischofshofen on 6th January. The Ski Jumping action will then continue after a breather of just one day with the season's first two Ski Flying events on the Kulm in Tauplitz/Bad Mitterndorf (AUT) on 9-10th January.

The fourth edition of the Viessmann Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear is about to start on New Year's Day in Oberhof (GER) with three Stages, before moving on to Prague (CZE) and to Cortina d'Ampezzo, Toblach and Val di Fiemme (ITA). This year's schedule features a total of eight competitions over ten days for both ladies and men. Make sure not to miss any action and behind-the-scenes coverage on www.tour-de-ski.com.

The DKB Nordic Combined will join their Cross-Country colleagues for major World Cup action both in Oberhof and Val di Fiemme. Both weekends will see two competitions including the first ever adventure for the Nordic Combined competitors up the (in)famous Alpe Cermis in Val di Fiemme on Sunday 10th January 2010.

For the Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup, the New Year will begin with the already legendary Zagreb-Sljeme city slaloms with the ladies racing on Sunday 3rd and men on Wednesday 6th January, a holiday in many European countries. Thereafter the tours continue with ladies racing three speed events in Haus im Ennstal (AUT) and the men starting their traditional Switzerland tour in Adelboden with two technical events.

Meanwhile, the FIS Freestyle World Cup season will continue in all events right after the New Year's. Whilst ski cross visits St Johann/Oberndorf (AUT), moguls and aerials competition will continue in Calgary (CAN).

At the same time, the LG Snowboard FIS World Cup will be in Kreischberg (AUT) for important Olympic qualification events in half-pipe and parallel giant slalom.

FIS news
01/01/2010

Tour de Ski Oberhof – Pre-competition facts Prologue

The 4th edition of the Tour de Ski will kick off with a lot of top athletes. Only missing are: Marit Bjoergen (NOR), Charlotte Kalla and Anna Haag (SWE), Kristin Smigun-Vähi (EST) and Irina Khazova (RUS). On the men's side it is Anders Soedergren and Johann Olsson. In total there are 74 ladies and 88 men at the start.

Race Director Jürg Capol's remark: "The prologue is a short distance race and it is a demanding track. Claudia Nystad seems to be a special of this as she was the winner of the last three prologues in this multi stage events. After this race we will see already a picture of the big favourites even if it is only tomorrow a dicision of seconds. Nobody will lose the Tour in the Prologue but it might give some special confidence for the rest."

The 4th Tour de Ski consist of 8 races in 10 days in three country and includes for the first time a classical sprint and as well a A to B race (from Cortina to Toblach). Tomorrow in the Prologue there will be bonus seconds awarded for the top three in the finish (15-10-5 seconds)

FIScrosscountry.com
01/01/2010