November 19, 2008 (Gallivare, Sweden) – We were able to break the news yesterday regarding Universalsports.com’s coverage of World Cup XC Skiiing courtesy of SkiTrax reader Mike Balduf and now it is official. Universal has announced it’s FIS World Cup Nordic schedule through the Tour de Ski.

Universal Sports presents TV and online coverage of the FIS Cross Country World Cup opener on Nov. 22-23 from Gallivare, Sweden. Coverage will begin daily at 1 p.m. ET on the Universal Sports 24-hour TV network. Streaming coverage will be available free on www.UniversalSports.com.

Universal Sports, available in 30 million homes, and UniversalSports.com will present same day race coverage of the World Cup events on Saturday and Sunday from Gallivare (all times ET):

Saturday, November 22
– 12 p.m. – 2 p.m – Women’s 10 km F
– 2 p.m. – 4 p.m – Men’s 15 km F

Sunday, November 23
– 12 p.m. – 2 p.m – Women’s 4×5 km
– 2 p.m. – 4 p.m – Men’s 4×10 km

Universal Sports is the exclusive home of the 2008-09 FIS Cross Country World Cup season with comprehensive TV broadcast and online coverage. In addition, fans can visit the skiing section on UniversalSports.com for updated schedules (TV and online), news, video highlights, special features, photo galleries and more.

Cross Country On Universal Sports Schedule*:
– Nov. 29-30, World Cup, Kuusamo, Finland
– Dec. 6-7, World Cup, La Clusaz, France
– Dec. 13-14, World Cup, Davos, Switzerland
– Dec 20-21, World Cup, Dusseldorf, Germany
– Dec. 27-Jan. 4, Tour de Ski, Oberhof (Germany) – Prague (Czech Reupblic)- Nove Mesto (Czech Republic) – Val di Fiemme (Italy)

* Schedule subject to change; check UniversalSports.com for up-to-date TV and online schedules