Large Hill Holmenkollen. Photo: OC Oslo

After a break of one year due to the construction works for the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in 2011, Oslo and Holmenkollen are back in the Cross-Country World Cup calendar.

The traditional 30km (for ladies) and 50 km (for men) will be held as a mass start competition - rather than an individual start as is traditionally the case - due to the competition program at next year's World Ski Championships. On Saturday, the long distance specialists will fight for a total of 145 World Cup points on the ladies side and 175 points on the men's side. In addition to the normal 100 World Cup points for victory, points will be awarded for intermediate bonus sprints during the race for the top three (15-10-5). In the ladies' 30 km race, three bonus point sprints will be carried out while on the men's 50 km there will be five opportunities for winning additional World Cup points.

As in the long distance competition held in Trondheim last season, and at the 2010 Olympic Games, the athletes have the chance to change skis during the race. "The intermediate bonus sprints for World Cup points and the ski exchange possibility help animate our mass start competitions and provide additional excitement. At this time of the season, with the Final approaching, the athletes are really focused on winning points in order to improve their position in the overall World Cup ranking," commented Jürg Capol, FIS Race Director Cross-Country.

In addition to the long distance race, the organizers of Oslo 2011 are testing their sprint course on Sunday by carrying out a sprint competition in free technique. The current snow conditions are ideal, all courses are prepared and great weather is expected for the weekend. "We are again looking forward to a great Holmenkollen festival with a lot of Norwegian and foreign fans. Many of them, from young children to grandparents, stay in tents in the woods the night before the races and cheer all athletes to a top performance during the day," explained Capol.

More information

www.oslo2011.no

Starting times

Saturday, 13th March

Sunday, 14th March

*local time

Contributed by Sandra Spitz

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