December 31, 2009 (Oberhof, GER) – U.S. XC Ski Team coach, Chris Grover, and top US sprinter, Andy Newell, spent the holiday break in Europe. For Newell participating in the first part of the 2010 Tour de Ski (TdS) fits perfectly with his preparation for the Otepaa World Cup (Jan. 16-17) and the upcoming 2010 Olympic Games.

New rules this year allow Tour de Ski athletes to use TdS points towards their overall World Cup standings, and keep the prize money. FIS XC TV interviewed Grover at the ski stadium in Oberhof, where the Tour will start tomorrow.