+ What is Tour de Ski?
Tour de Ski is part of the World Cup in cross-country skiing, but it is also a prestigious tour where an overall winner is crowned. This time, the tour consists of seven stages, all in Italy, with two sprint events and five distance stages.
The combined time of the stages determines who wins the tour.
The tour starts in Toblach with a sprint on December 28 and traditionally ends with a climb up the slalom slope Alpe Cermis in Val di Fiemme on January 5.
+ TV/Radio
The competitions are broadcast on TV6 and Viaplay. Radiosporten broadcasts on P4.
+ Reigning Champions
Ladies: Jessie Diggins, USA.
Men: Harald Østberg Amundsen, Norway.
The best Swedish performance last year was Frida Karlsson in fourth place, and on the men's side, Jens Burman, eighth.
+ Johaug's U-Turn
Therese Johaug had previously written off the tour – but the comebacking Norwegian star is starting in Tour de Ski. The reason is that she needs to get more competitions in her body before the winter's big goal: the World Championship in Trondheim.
Johaug has won Tour de Ski three times – the question is whether Ebba Andersson, Jessie Diggins, or someone else can prevent a new triumph.
+ Swedish Stars Missing
Frida Karlsson won Tour de Ski two years ago – the first Swedish victory since Charlotte Kalla won the stage competition in 2008 – but there will be no repeat of that success for the 25-year-old. Karlsson is forced to miss the tour due to an overuse injury in her foot.
Neither sprint queen Jonna Sundling will start, nor Emma Ribom, nor Calle Halfvarsson.
+ Prize Money
The prize money in Tour de Ski is awarded to the top 20 skiers. The overall winners on the women's and men's sides receive a check for 85,000 Swiss francs, equivalent to over one million Swedish kronor.
+ Sweden's Team
Ladies: Ebba Andersson, Piteå, Maja Dahlqvist, Falun-Borlänge, Johanna Hagström, Ulricehamn, Moa Ilar, Falun-Borlänge, Moa Lundgren, Åsarna, Märta Rosenberg, Trillevallen, Linn Svahn, Östersund.
Men: Edvin Anger, Åsarna, Gustaf Berglund, IFK Mora, Jens Burman, Åsarna, Emil Danielsson, Högbo, Truls Gisselman, Rehns BK, Marcus Grate, IFK Umeå, William Poromaa, Åsarna, Eric Rosjö, IFK Mora, Oskar Svensson, Falun-Borlänge.
+ Program
Saturday, December 28 – Toblach:
12.00: Sprint, freestyle, qualification, ladies and men
14.30: Sprint, freestyle, finals, ladies and men
Sunday, December 29 – Toblach:
12.30: 15 km, classical style, mass start, ladies
14.45: 15 km, classical style, mass start, men
Tuesday, December 31 – Toblach:
11.30: 20 km, freestyle, interval start, men
14.45: 20 km, freestyle, interval start, ladies
Wednesday, January 1 – Toblach:
10.30: 15 km, classical style, pursuit, men
12.30: 15 km, classical style, pursuit, ladies
Friday, January 3 – Val di Fiemme:
12.15: Sprint, classical style, qualification, ladies and men
14.45: Sprint, classical style, finals, ladies and men
Saturday, January 4 – Val di Fiemme:
11.00: 10 + 10 km, skiathlon, men
15.30: 10 + 10 km, skiathlon, ladies
Sunday, January 5 – Val di Fiemme:
14.15: 10 km, freestyle, mass start, men
15.30: 10 km, freestyle, mass start, ladies
