November 13, 2008 – Only 45 days remain until the 3rd Viessmann FIS Tour de Ski performance by Craft Sportswear and the preparations and promotion for the unique event are at full speed. 20 nations have registered their participation for this year’s edition. Beside many traditional Cross-Country nations, some small nations including South Africa, Greece, Andorra and Denmark have sent entries for the Tour 2008/2009. A total of about 130- 140 athletes are expected to take part in the competition series staged in three countries. The final entries for the teams are due at the beginning of December.

Yesterday, Tuesday November 11 in Milan (ITA), the Italian organizers of the Tour Finale in Val di Fiemme presented the FIS Tour de Ski 2008/2009 to the media with a special talk show “Tour de Ski and Tour de France: face to face” led by famous RAI sport journalist Ivana Vaccari.

The elated podium discussion featured experts such as Davide Cassani (former cyclist), Gabriella Paruzzi (Olympic gold medalist), Orlando Pizzolato (winner of New York Marathon 1984,1985), Magda Genuin (Cross-Country Team Italy) and Marco Selle (Coach of Italian men’s Cross-Country Team) along with FIS Council Member, FISI President Giovanni Morzenti, OC President Pietro De Godenz, and FIS Race Director Cross-Country Jürg Capol.

The organizers in Val di Fiemme also have something new in store for all spectators. Under the slogan “Salita Del Gusto” (Climb of tasting – with typical food, drinks & music from the region), they will provide specialties from the region alongside the course on the way up to the Alpe Cermis where the racers climb up to the finish of the Tour. For more information, please visit www.tour-de-ski.com

Season Start Marks Launch of joint FIS and Right To Play Campaign

The traditional Alpine season opener in Sölden (AUT) also marked the opening of the joint Right To Play / FIS campaign designed draw attention to the work of the humanitarian organization with which FIS has partnered since 2005. Featuring many of Right To Play’s most profiled skiing Athlete Ambassadors, the campaign encourages on-site spectators to send SMS text messages to donate money to Right To Play. The campaign films are shown with regular intervals on the giant screens around the finish area.

The gist of the campaign is made up by short film clips which feature Right To Play’s Athlete Ambassadors introducing the organization. The ones taking part are Aksel Lund Svindal, Julia Mancuso, Michaela Dorfmeister, Marco Büchel, Andreas Küttel, Emily Brydon, Anders Aukland, Daniela Meuli and Anja Paerson. The campaign will be shown on the video wall at FIS Alpine and Nordic World Cup races, the FIS Alpine and Nordic World Ski Championships as well as on the Tour de Ski.

To follow the progress of this year’s campaign make sure to frequent www.righttoplay-ski.com