December 31, 2015 (Lenzerheide, SUI) – January 1st marks the 10th anniversary of the Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski presented by Craft sportswear. This nine day seven-stage event is a whirlwind of competitive competition and grueling courses between three different countries, January 1-10. Not only does this event test the endurance of the athletes, but also the wax technicians.

Liz Stephen © Getty/Bongarts-Matthias Hangst

One unique aspect of the Tour de Ski is that overall winners of the Tour do not necessarily need to win a single stage. In 2015, Norway’s Martin Sundby claimed the crown of the Tour de Ski without winning a single stage due to his consistent performance throughout the multi-stage event.

Martin Johnsrud Sundby (NOR) © Nordic Focus

Lenzerheide will play host to the opening races of the Tour de Ski, which include a 1.5k freestyle sprint on January 1st, a 30/15k classic mass start January 2nd and a 10/5k freestyle pursuit January 3rd.

With one day of recovery and travel, the teams head to Oberstdorf, Germany for a 10/5k skiathlon and Classic sprint, January 5th and 6th, then Toblach, Italy for a 10/5k freestyle race, January 8th. The Tour de Ski concludes in Val di Fiemme with a 15/10k classic mass start on the 9th and the demanding 9k Alpe Cermis hill climb on the 10th.

Simi Hamilton takes the biggest win of his career ©

– Justyna Kowalczyk has more overall Tour-wins than any other athlete with four.
– Dario Cologna has the most overall wins of the Tour de Ski for the men with three.
– Among women, Norway has the most podium places overall in the Tour de Ski with nine.
– Norway’s Petter Northug has the most Tour de Ski stage podiums, with 29 for the men and Poland’s Justyna Kowalczyk has 28 for the women.
– Liz Stephen (East Montpelier, VT) finished fifth overall in the 2015 Tour de Ski, the best result every by an American in the multi-stage event.
– Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO) is the defending champion of the Lenzerheide freestyle sprint race from 2013.

Team USA's now famous socks... © courtesy of Jessie Diggins

Starters for the U.S. Cross Country A and B teams for the Tour de Ski include:
– Liz Stephen (East Montpeilier, VT)
– Jessie Diggins (Afton, MN)
– Sadie Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA)
– Caitlin Gregg (Minneapolis, MN)
– Rosie Brennan (Park City, UT)
– Ida Sargent (Orleans, VT)
– Sophie Caldwell (Peru, VT)
– Noah Hoffman (Aspen, CO)
– Andy Newell (Shaftsbury, VT)
– Erik Bjornsen (Winthrop, WA)
– Simi Hamilton (Aspen, CO)

STREAMING SCHEDULE (times EST)

Friday, Jan. 1
9:55 a.m. – Men’s and Women’s 1.5k freestyle sprint finals NBC Live Extra – LIVE STREAM

Saturday, Jan. 2
7:00 a.m. – Women’s 15k classic mass start
9:00 a.m. – Men’s 30k classic mass start

Sunday, Jan. 3
5:45 a.m. – Men’s 10k freestyle pursuit
7:20 a.m. – Women’s 5k freestyle pursuit

TOUR DE SKI SCHEDULE

Friday, Jan. 1 – Lenzerheide, Switzerland
1.5k Freestyle Sprints

Saturday, Jan. 2 – Lenzerheide, Switzerland
30/15k Classic Mass Start

Sunday, Jan. 3 – Lenzerheide, Switzerland
10/5k Freestyle Pursuit

Tuesday, Jan. 5 – Oberstdorf, Germany
Classic Sprint

Wednesday, Jan 6 – Oberstdorf, Germany
15/10k Classic mass start

Friday, Jan 8 – Toblach, Italy
10/5k Freestyle Individual Start

Saturday, Jan 9 – Val di Fiemme, Italy
15/10k Classic Mass Start

Sunday, Jan 10 – Val di Fiemme, Italy
9k Freestyle Pursuit