The 7th edition of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear will kick off in just 80 days and final preparations and promotion of this unique event are proceeding at full speed.
18 nations have registered their participation for this year's edition. Besides many traditional Cross-Country nations such as all the Nordic and Central European countries, Great Britain have also announced their participation in the Tour.
A total of some 130-140 athletes are expected to take part in the competition series. The final entries for the teams are due at the latest by 19th December.
Due to the fact that the 2012/13 season also features a title event, seven competitions in nine days are scheduled for the seventh edition of the FIS Tour de Ski. The Tour will kick off on 29th December with a free technique prologue in Oberhof, Germany. As a second stage, a pursuit will be held in the Thuringia Forest. For the first time in Tour history, a stage will be carried out in Switzerland. Swiss Cross-Country skiing fans will have a chance to cheer Dario Cologna on his home soil in Val Müstair in the free technique sprint on 1st January.
After the second rest day, the Tour will continue in Toblach on 3rd January with distance competitions for the ladies and the A to B stage from Cortina to Toblach for the men, followed with a short individual start competition in classical technique. The FIS Tour de Ski will traditionally conclude in Val di Fiemme with a mass start race on 5th and the Final Climb on 6th January.
