FIEMME: 7 DAYS TO THE TOUR DE SKI MORE THAN 200 IN SEARCH FOR GLORY

©Newspower.it

The Tour de Ski is an unmissable event for Val di Fiemme, a deep bond that began with the birth of the internal circuit of the World Cup in 2006. In a week, the valley in Trentino will host its traditional finale, with over 200 of the best cross-country skiers in the world ready to put on a show on January 3 and 4 to win an unmissable event that celebrates the 20 years of history and confirms its status as the most prestigious and popular in the field.

In such an atypical winter season, given the exceptional presence of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, the athletes’ shape remains a mystery that could shake things up at the Tour de Ski, which is once again entirely Italian this year (opening stage in Toblach). However, among those who cannot be excluded from the list of favourites is Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, a shining star who, at the age of 29, already won 101 times in the World Cup, and the feeling is that this number will tend to grow rather quickly. After the official announcement of the Tour de Ski line-up, Klæbo, four-time winner, will be the spearhead of the Norwegian team, which dominates the top of the rankings, along with 20 other athletes, including Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, winner of the inaugural 10 km race in Ruka in November just ahead of Klæbo, who will not be competing due to a personal choice.

Still on the subject of Scandinavian countries, Sweden also has a strong presence, with six female cross-country skiers in the top 10 of the overall rankings, including Moa Ilar, born in 1997, who has been on the podium three times in the first three stages of the World Cup and is currently second in the rankings behind the phenomenal American Jessie Diggins.

In Val di Fiemme, Italy will be represented by 19 athletes chosen by the technical director Markus Cramer, who is ready to spur on the Italian team after the excellent performances his athletes have shown in their first outings of the season. Pellegrino, born in 1990, will be competing in his last edition, having been newly elected flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Milano. The last two Tour appearances saw him finish just off the podium, so ending his adventure with a place in the top three would be the icing on the cake of an extraordinary career. Joining him will be Elia Barp, who achieved a great second place in the Team Sprint in Davos (SUI) alongside Pellegrino, as well as Martino Carollo, Simone Daprà, Francesco De Fabiani, Giacomo Gabrielli, Davide Graz, Michael Hellweger, Simone Mocellini, Giovanni Ticcò and Paolo Ventura. The women's team will include Federica Cassol, Anna Comarella, Iris De Martin Pinter, Martina Di Centa, Francesca Franchi, Caterina Ganz, Nadine Laurent and Nicole Monsorno. The latest news is that Maria Gismondi, who performed well in the first races, will be absent due to a fever.

The participation of Russian athletes (AIN) Dariya Nepryaeva and Savelii Korostelev has also been confirmed. After making their debut in the Swiss stage in Davos, they will return to compete under a neutral flag, as will Belarusian athletes Hanna Karaliova and Hanna Machakhina.

Among the evocative scenery of the Dolomites, the athletes’ parterre who will aim for important results is confirmed to be of absolute level, with 30 nations ready to battle to obtain fundamental points for the World Cup, but also a rich prize. Obviously, there is great awaiting for the results of the first races of the Tour de Ski scheduled in Toblach (BZ)

Amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Dolomites, the parterre of athletes aiming for prestigious results is confirmed to be of the highest calibre, with 30 nations ready to battle it out for crucial World Cup points and a generous prize fund. Naturally, there is great anticipation for the results of the first races of the Tour de Ski, scheduled to take place in Toblach (BZ).

The grand finale in Fiemme promises to be an event not to be missed. Saturday 3 January sees the first day of competition with the classic technique sprint at the Cross-Country Stadium in Lago di Tesero, the venue for the Olympic competition in February, followed by the eagerly awaited 10 km Mass Start in free technique on Sunday 4, starting in Lago di Tesero and finishing on the Cermis. The Final Climb, held along the Olimpia III slope of Alpe Cermis, represents, as in every edition, the highlight of the show both on television and at the side of the track, where, for the occasion, the Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme committee invites spectators to stop at the three “posts” set up by local associations (Hockey Fiemme, Krampus Fiemme, Dolomitica) to taste and sip typical products from Val di Fiemme and Trentino while enjoying the excitement that only the Final Climb can offer.

© Newspower