November 30, 2011 (Davos, Switzerland) – Despite challenging snow conditions, the Organizing Committee in Davos and FIS gave the green light for the 31st edition of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup presented by Viessmann in Davos on December 10-11, 2011.

The famous ski town and currently home of Olympic champion Dario Cologna is situated at 1,560 meters above the sea level and offers good conditions and challenging tracks in high altitude.

About 24 nations are expected to start on the Flüela and Bünda courses in Davos. “Thanks to some cold nights additional snow could be produced and the stadium and the sprint courses are already covered and ready,” said FIS Race Director Jürg Capol. “Currently it is a bit warmer but towards the beginning of next week we expect a colder weather period again. Depending on the weather and availability of snow we keep the decision open until middle of next week whether to shorten the 30 km to a 15 km interval start race for the men, or respectively, from 15 km to a 10 km for the ladies.”

The interval start races are planned on Saturday, 10th December 2011 – both races are held in free technique this year. The 30 km race in Davos has a long history and was carried out for the last time in 2000. On Sunday, 11th December a sprint race in free technique will take place in the ski stadium Bünda.

Starting Times (local time):

Saturday, December 10
– Women 15km F – 12:15h
– Men 30km F – 14:00h

Sunday, 11th December
Ladies/Men Sprint (free technique) Qualification – 12:30h
Finals – 14:30h

Top three winners in December 2010

10/15 km Classic
Ladies                                              Men
1.    Marit Bjoergen  NOR            1.    Alexey Poltoranin  KAZ
2.    Justyna Kowalczyk  POL      2.    Alexander Legkov  RUS
3.    Therese Johaug  NOR           3.    Lukas Bauer  CZE

Sprint Free technique
Ladies                                             Men
1.    Marit Bjoergen  NOR            1.    Emil Joensson    SWE
2.    Arianna Follis  ITA               2.    Alexey Petukhov    RUS
3.    Kikkan Randall  USA           3.    Dario Cologna    SUI