For France, it was a good start into the Tour with three ladies and three men in the top thirty. Overall the 4th edition of the Tour de Ski started with an exciting race. The prologue has some future.

The gaps between the athletes were close so I think today's race will be more like a mass start, especially in the men's race who will be skiing tactically, too. Also the snowfall will influence the race and make tactics play a bigger role.

For my athletes I hope they can remain in good positions in the overall ranking and those who are not in such a good position at the moment, that they come back into the game for the rest of the Tour.

Have fun watching the Tour de Ski - it will be exciting!

Yours Pierre