October 10, 2012 – The World’s leading long distance cross country ski team, Team Coop, has the pleasure of announcing the signature of one of the best classic skiers in the World, Lukas Bauer. The Czech skier has on many occasions proven his capabilities in traditional races; two victories in the Tour de Ski, Olympic and World Championship medals and 23 individual podium places in the World Cup. This winter you will also see him in Ski Classics.

“This is a new challenge for me that I am looking forward to and Team Coop is very professional in their service and support. They have many experienced long distance skiers that I can learn a lot from and I’m excited about the coming winter”, says Lukas Bauer.

The signing of Lukas Bauer is another step in the development of Team Coop as the World’s leading long distance skis team.

“It is very exciting to have maybe the best traditional classic skier in the world in Team Coop. Long distance skiing is something different from the World Cup and it will take some time for Lukas to adapt to the discipline. But it will be exciting to see what he can do this coming winter”, says David Nilsson, Team Director Team Coop.

Team Captain Oskar Svärd is also positive about the new member of the team. “Of course it is fun and inspiring to have one of the best traditional skiers in world on our team. I think we can learn a lot from each other, as Lukas has a big capacity on tough courses while we have more experience in long distance racing”.

Team Coop consists of:
– Oskar Svärd, Team Captain, Sweden, three time winner of Vasaloppet and Jizerska Padesatka.
– Jenny Hansson, Sweden, Ski Classics Champion 2012 and winner of Vasaloppet, Birkebeinnerrennet and Marcialonga.
– Seraina Boner, Switzerland, Ski Classics Champion 2011, winner of Birkebeinnerrennet the last two years and winner of both Marcialonga and Ski Classics Final.
– Jimmie Johnsson, Sweden, 2012 runner up in long distance skiing with to podium places and another two top five places in Ski Classics.
– Morten Eide Pedersen, Norway, Ski Classics You Champion 2012.
– Roger Aa Djupvik, Norway, second place in Birkebeinerrennet and Ski Classics Final 2012.
– Espen Harald Bjerke, Norway, third place in Birkebeinerrennet 2012.
– Nicola Morandini, Italy, two times seventh place in Marcialonga.
– Lukas Bauer, Czech Republic, two victories in Tour de Ski, Olympic and World Championship medals and 23 individual podium places in the World Cup.