December 11, 2009 (Davos, Sui) – Davos, Switzerland is a special place. A settlement that started back in the High Middle Ages, is now a chic paradise for the ski crowd, but also a place that will host the best cross-country skiers in the world this weekend (Dec. 12-13), as the Veissemann FIS XC World Cup tour rolls into town. Set in the canton of Graubunden, this area has been a popular destination for health seekers offering a unique microclimate of clean, clear, fresh alpine air.

Davos has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with FIS Cross Country, and this season will mark the 37th time that they have hosted a world cup for Nordic skiing. Situated at about 1,500 meters above sea level, it is a relatively high altitude venue for xc racing. Top US sprinter Andy Newell said today that because of the little bit of altitude, it’s hard to say what will happen on race day.

Officials expect about 31 nations to be on hand for the two-day competition that will be held on Dec 12 and 13th. Marking the greatest number of athletes ever to turn up here. In the famous Bunda ski stadium, day one will feature an individual 15km/10km F event for men and women, and day two will feature the sprints.

Norwegian waxer and friend Knut Nystad reported it’s about -4 degrees Celcius, and that the track bed is a mixture of old and new snow. He also commented that the track get loose on the uphills and turns to sugar. Choice of skis will be very important tomorrow.

While it remains already, abundantly clear who the favorites will be this weekend, the Swiss will be focused on their favorite son, Dario Cologna. Problem is, the defending world cup overall champion, has not been off to an opportune start. Truth be told, his injury in the fall, did set him back, yet the season, and his Olympic hopes are far from over. While Cologna is currently ranked in 69th place in the overall world cup points chase, he said this week, that his “form is not so bad” and that with each race he expects to get better and better. Keep in mind that it’s a very long season, and we certainly know what Cologna is capable of not only in winning the overall crown, but his extraordinary battle with Norway’s Petter Northug in Falun, Sweden last year.

The Swiss also expect to start Remo Fischer and Toni Livers, who have both pre-qualified for their Olympic Team for Vancouver 2010. It’s expected that the Swiss National Team will enter Christoph Eigenmann and Eligius Tambornino in the sprints. For the women, they expect Bettina Gruber and Laurence Rochet to comprise the sprint team, while talented Serainia Mischol is sidelined with illness at the moment.

Among the other favorites who will be racing this weekend will be current FIS points leader, Northug and sprint king Ola Vigen Hattestad (NOR), who is also ranked second overall. Third in points is Russian skier Alexy Petukov. Also expected to be strong will be Johan Olsson (SWE), Axel Teichmann (GER) and Sami Jauhojarvi (FIN).

The women’s individual event could be a battle between Norwegian Marit Bjoergen, and the two Finn’s Virpi Kuitunen and Aino-Kaisa Saarinen.

Team Sweden is also expected to have Marcus Hellner, who will ski in both events, and has recovered from a cold earlier this week. Emil Jonsson will miss Davos to rehab a groin injury. Following her big inaugural sprint win on the streets of Dusseldorf Sweden’s Hanna Falk will be a big favorite as well.

Both the USA and Canadian squads will be in action this weekend. The Canadian team drove over to Davos from Livigno on Wednesday. They will have four men, who plan to start in all events, along with three women on hand. Sara Renner will ski both events, while Chandra Crawford and Perianne Jones will focus on the sprints. Coach Dave Wood reported a great and relaxing week of training in Livigno. I have heard this morning that Ivan Babikov is sick and may not take part this weekend,but we cannot confirm this at press time.

Many are speaking of the reported sighting of banned Russian skier Julia Tchepalova seen training “under cover” with the Russian team at Davos.Reportedly another source told us that her father had also been seen in the area. One skier who did not wish to be identified quipped…”she has a ban, but when have rules, ethics and morals been a part of the Russian program.”

And so it goes.