The story starts in a sauna near Oslo more than a decade ago. Vegard Ulvang and Jürg Capol were arguing who was the best skier in the world. Was it a distance skier, sprinter, or an all rounder in both techniques?

And so the Tour de Ski concept was born. Combining all competition formats and techniques into a stage World Cup, with the iconic Alpe Cermis Final Climb as the last stage. Ten years after the foundation of the Tour, it has to become the biggest event on the FIS Cross-Country World Cup calendar. In the season 2015/16 the Tour with celebrate its 10th anniversary!

Program of the 10th FIS Tour de Ski

Eight competitions in ten days are scheduled for the 10th edition of the FIS Tour de Ski. The Tour will get under way on 1st January in Lenzerheide (SUI) with sprint free competition. A classical technique middle distance competition is on the schedule for stage two and a short pursuit event will close out the Swiss stages before moving on to Germany.

After a day off on Monday 4th January the Tour will continue in Oberstdorf with a skiathlon and classic sprints. New and attractive sprint courses have been chosen for the ladies and men. For the first time ever, the ladies will use the demanding men’s loop of 1.2 km, while for the men a new selective lap of 1.5 km has been developed.

After Oberstdorf the Tour continues on to it’s traditional stages in Italy. For the 7th time Toblach (ITA) will host a Tour de Ski stage. On 8th January distance competitions will take place. The 10th edition of the FIS Tour de Ski will conclude in Val di Fiemme (ITA), as has become tradition with a mass start competition on 9th and the Final Climb on 10th January.

The famous Tour del Gusto is taking place in Val di Fiemme again offering specialties and delicacies from Italy and Trentino. Additionally, amateur skiers can look forward to another edition of Rampa con i Campioni; a popular race on the original course of the Final Climb and on the top an international village will welcome all spectators, to celebrate the 10th anniversary.

A complete Tour de Ski program is available HERE.

10th Tour de Ski in facts and figures

Total competition distance 65 km for ladies and 106 km for men
Grand total prize money 640.000 CHF will be paid out during eight days for both genders
The overall winner will take home 100.000 CHF
The winner of each stage gets 3.000 CHF
The current leader of the Tour (except the last stage) wins 1.000 CHF
The winner of the FIS Tour de Ski sprint ranking will be awarded with 6.000 CHF
400 World Cup points for the FIS Tour de Ski overall winner, 50 World Cup points for the stage victory
255 bonus seconds for ladies, 300 bonus seconds for men
Only Petter Northug has started and finished all 9 editions of the FIS Tour de Ski

Quotes

Dario Cologna (SUI)

I’m looking forward to the 10th Tour de Ski, which is a highlight in this year’s calendar. It is a big aim for me to perform well and to fight for victory. The three opening stages in Lenzerheide will be special for me and my colleagues from the Swiss team.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR)

It's going to be the most interesting men's Tour de Ski event, in its short history; No championship this year, all athletes with the chance of fighting for podiums will be at the starting line in Lenzerheide. I want my third win in a row, Dario wants to take it back, Petter Northug wants what he never had, Alexander Legkov has shown this summer that he is finished celebrating the Olympic gold medal. Calle Halfvarsson can win it. And now Finn H. Krogh will try for the first time. Can anybody beat him? Can't wait for the Final Climb. The question is just, how many guys will enter this hill together?! Perfect celebration of the 10th Tour, it’s going to be epic!

Charlotte Kalla (SWE)

After two years as a spectator it is time for me to take part in the Tour de Ski again next winter! I am looking forward to this challenge.

Source: fis-ski.com