There are just 100 days until the start of the 2nd edition of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski. The event is scheduled to start on December 28th, 2007. In early September, a team of Tour Board members led by FIS Race Director Cross-Country Jürg Capol visited the future Tour sites (Nove Mesto, Prague, Oberstdorf, Asiago and Val di Fiemme) to discuss the status of preparations and to iron out the final logistical details.
“The visit in Prague was especially important since the city will be organizing its first-ever World Cup event. The sprint will take place in the famous Old Town area in front of the Prague Castle, which celebrated its 650th anniversary this year. That’s a pretty nice background for a city sprint,†said Capol. “The visit to Val di Fiemme was also a big step forward. Together, the different stakeholders, including representatives of TV, the OC and the rights holder, Infront Italy, optimized the arrangements for the last Stage and especially for the Final Climb to Alpe Cermis.â€
The Tour de Ski is a multi-day World Cup event modeled on the highly popular stage races held in cycling. Athletes will compete in eight events over ten grueling days in three countries. Distances range from a 1 kilometer freestyle sprint to a 20K (for men), 10K (for women) mass start classic race. In total, 1,0 Million CHF (approximately $900,000) will be awarded to the most successful athletes – the King and Queen of Cross-Country, the winners of the Sprint Ranking, and the daily Stage winners. The event concludes with a pursuit-start “Final Climb” up Alpe Cermis in Val di Fiemme, Italy. The races are also part of overall World Cup scoring.
Tobias Angerer of Germany took the men's title last year, while Virpi Kuitunen of Finland skied away with the women's crown. Both athletes also won the overall World Cup. There will be many challengers trying to wrest the title from the two defending champions – including Norway's young Petter Northug, who has made the Tour de Ski his priority. “For me, it would be bigger to win the Tour de Ski than the overall World Cup. I like the form of competition in the Tour. Of course, if I won the Tour, I would be in a good position to do well in the World Cup” says Northug.
Tour de Ski Schedule:
Stage | Race | Start Time |
| Nove Mesto (CZE) Friday, 28th December | Prologue Women 3km Men 4.5km classical technique, individual start | 12:00 CET W 14:00 CET M |
| Nove Mesto (CZE) Saturday, 29th December | Pursuit Women 10km Men 15km free technique, 'handicap' start | 14:00 CET W 15:00 CET M |
| Prague (CZE) Sunday, 30th December | Sprint Women 1km Men 1.2km free technique, qualification and finals | 11:45 CET Q 14:00 CET F |
| Oberstdorf(GER) Tuesday, 1st January | Pursuit Women 5km classical + 5km free technique Men 10km classical + 10km free technique ski change during 'pit stop', mass start |
15:30 CET W 12:30 CET M |
| Oberstdorf (GER) Wednesday, 2nd January | Distance Women 10km Men 15km classical technique, individual start |
12:00 CET W 14:00 CET M |
| Asiago (ITA) Friday, 4th January | Sprint Women 1km Men 1.2km free technique, qualification and finals |
10:45 CET Q 12:30 CET F |
| Val di Fiemme (ITA) Saturday, 5th January | Distance Women 10km Men 20km classical technique, mass start |
11:45 CET W 14:00 CET M |
| Val di Fiemme (ITA) Sunday, 6th January | Final Climb Women 10km Men 12km free technique, 'handicap' start |
12:00 CET W 14:00 CET M |
