Back to the roots: After two city sprints in Milano in 1997 and 1998, the Cross-Country World Cup circus will return to the Italian fashion metropolis to host a sprint weekend this week.
The competitions will take place in the Sempione Park (Parco Sempione) close by the city center for the first time. The Park with its 380,000 square meters is the largest green space in the historic center of the city located on the North West side of Sforza Castle, the civil monument.
This weekend, 135 athletes from some 16 nations will tackle the flat sprint course in Parco Sempione. On Saturday, 14th January, a sprint in free technique is on the schedule. The ladies and men will fight on the 620 m course for the victory. On Sunday, 15th January, the weekend will conclude with a team sprint in free technique.
The snow was produced artificially outside of Milano in the Lombardy region. Nice weather is expected during the weekend.
While most of the top Tour de Ski racers will skip the sprints in Milano, the sprint World Cup leaders, Kikkan Randall, who finished the Tour in the top ten, and Alexey Petukhov (RUS) will try to defend their red shirts. Most of the top sprinters too have announced their participation.
More information: http://www.raceinthecity.it/
Starting times (CET)
Saturday, 14th January
Sprint free technique Qualification 12.00h
Sprint free technique Finals 14.45h
Sunday, 15th January
Team Sprint free technique Qualification 09.45h
Team Sprint free technique Finals 12.00h
