After only 3 years, the FIS Tour de Ski has truly established itself as a major event, an event that all athletes dream of taking part in. Even though some athletes have elected to skip the Tour, most of the top ranked skiers will race with no other goal than the final victory.
The 2008-2009 Tour was amazing, the best of the first three editions. It was the best on the sports side with beautiful stages and continued suspense up to the last stage for the final ranking. It was also the best on the organizational side with well planned transitions and events. The only thing that needed to evolve, as I had mentioned last year in my end of Tour blog, was the balance between classical and freestyle events. This balance has been truly found this year and everyone will find an event to express his talents.
For the French team, the 2009-2010 Tour will be a new challenge. For the first time, we will use all our quotas and field a full men's and women's team: 14 athletes. It's a lot; some might say that it's too many. Nevertheless, we have no other choice in order to give our athletes the best chances to qualify for the Olympic Games. Vincent Vittoz and Jean-Marc Gaillard are our main assets for the final ranking. Most of the others will aim to play their cards well on the stages that favor them most in order to win their ticket to the season's main event, the Vancouver Olympics.
Here's wishing you a great Tour de Ski and a happy new year.
Yours Pierre
