FIS Newsflash articles 2012-2013

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Spectacular Finish of the FIS Tour de Ski 2012/13

The 7th edition of the FIS Tour de Ski presented by Craft Sportswear came to a close on Sunday, 6th January 2013 in Val di Fiemme (ITA). In the ladies’ race, a familiar face once again stood on the top step of the podium. Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk won not only for the fourth time, but for the fourth consecutive time and is the only athlete to have done so. In second place was Therese Johaug and in third, Kristin Stoermer Steira, both of Norway.

On the men’s side, the closest race in the history of the Tour was taking place during the final stage where the top four men were separated by less than 20 seconds. In the end, there was a new face and a new nation at the top of the podium. Russia’s Alexander Legkov won his first Tour de Ski, also a first for any Russian skier, and he did so on the famous Final Climb in Alpe Cermis. Three-time champion Dario Cologna of Switzerland was unable to match Legkov’s pace and settled for second place. In third was Maxim Vylegzhanin of Russia. 

Despite winning the overall Tour de Ski team title, Norway has yet to have an athlete win the event in either the ladies or the men’s category in its 7 year history. On the ladies’ side, Norway placed four in the top six. For the men, Petter Northug on his seventh attempt missed the podium, and was Norway’s only male in the top 15. 

From an audience perspective, this season’s Tour de Ski was one of a kind. At stage 3 in Val Muestair (SUI), the home valley of Dario Cologna, over one million TV spectators watched the race in Norway, and 3.2 million in Germany. In addition, TV channels such as SVT (SWE), NRK (NOR), and ARD (GER) saw record numbers of viewers for Stage 7, the Final Climb up Alpe Cermis.

For further information, visit fiscrosscountry.com

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