If you are not familiar with the various competition formats that will be used during the Ski Tour Canada, here is a quick overview with explanations.

Gatineau, Stage 1: Sprint free

For the individual Sprint qualification round, the seeded group (established according to the current World Cup standing) starts first and the starting order within the group is drawn. Following the seeded group all other competitors will be assigned start positions according to their FIS Sprint points.

Top 30 athletes after the qualification proceed to 5 quarterfinals. Athletes can chose, in which quarterfinal they want to start. Two best from each quarterfinal go through to the semifinal. Two fastest times from athletes in positions 3 and 4 go also to the semifinal.  

Bonus seconds: for top 30 athletes. Winner gets 60 sec, second place 56 sec, etc. The bonus seconds listed below are subtracted from the competitor’s actual race time before being added into the overall time score.

Montreal, Stage 2: Mass start classic

The overall Ski Tour Canada leader after the first stage will get the first start position on the grid and bib number 1. Other competitors are assigned next start positions and bib numbers in order of their current Ski Tour Canada standing after the first stage. Athlete who crosses the finish line first, is the winner. 

Bonus seconds:  There are 2 intermediate bonus point for ladies, 4 for the men on the course for top 10. Bonus seconds for top 3 in the finish – winner 15’’, 2nd place 10’’, 3rd place 5’’

Québec City, Stage 3: Sprint free

For the individual sprint qualification round, the seeded group (top 30 after 2 stages) starts first and the starting order within the group is drawn. Following the seeded group all other competitors are assigned start positions according to the FIS Ski Tour Canada  standing after two stages. 
Bonus seconds: for top 30 athletes. Winner gets 60 sec, 2nd place 56 sec, etc.

Québec City, Stage 4: Pursuit free

The starting positions are assigned according to the Overall Ski Tour Canada standing after three stages. Athletes start with time differences after three stages. Athlete who crosses the finish line first is the winner of the day as well as the Ski Tour Canada leader.

Bonus seconds: Top 3 in the finish – winner 15’’, 2nd place 10’’, 3rd place 5’’

Canmore, Stage 5: Sprint classic

For the individual sprint qualification round, the seeded group (established as top 30 after four stages of Ski Tour Canada) starts first and the starting order within the group is drawn. Following the seeded group all other competitors are assigned start positions according to the current standing in the Ski Tour Canada.

Bonus seconds: for top 30 athletes. Winner gets 60 sec, 2nd place 56 sec, etc.

Canmore, Stage 6: Skiathlon

The start numbers are assigned according to the current standing in the Ski Tour Canada. The competition gets underway with a mass start. After the first portion skied in classic technique athletes go in the pit stop in the stadium and change skis and poles. The second portion of the race is in free technique. Athlete who crosses the finish line first is the winner of the day.

Bonus seconds: two intermediate bonus point for ladies, four for the men on the course for top 10. Bonus seconds for top three in the finish – winner 15’’, second place 10’’, third place 5’’

Canmore, Stage 7: Individual Free

The competition is carried out as a time trial. Athletes start in 30 seconds intervals. Skier with the fastest time is the winner. Start list is set as follows.  All participating athletes are divided in four groups. 30 best athletes after the seeded group (top 15 athletes of the Ski Tour Canada after six stages) will start first, in reverse order. Seeded group athletes will start next and chose their start number. The15 best athletes after the seeded group start in between them. The rest of registered athletes start as the last group according to their FIS distance points.

Bonus seconds: for top three in the finish– winner 15’’, second place 10’’, third place 5’’

Canmore, Stage 8: Pursuit Classic

The last competition of the Ski Tour Canada. The starting positions are assigned according to the Overall Ski Tour Canada standing after seven stages. Athletes will start with time differences after seven stages. Skier who is first in the finish is the winner of the Ski Tour Canada. Athlete with the fastest time gets 50 World Cup points for the World Cup victory. 

Source: fis-ski.com