| Ski Classics | |
|---|---|
| Status | active | 
| Genre | sporting event series | 
| Date(s) | Northern winter | 
| Frequency | annual | 
| Inaugurated | 2011 | 
Ski Classics is a series of long-distance cross-country ski races in classic style that has been held since 2011. In season XII, 2021–2022, the circuit included 15 events, in a professional tour for the 35 Pro Teams involved. From 2015 to 2022, the official name of the circuit was Visma Ski Classics, thanks to their main sponsor.[1] The special thing about the Ski Classics concept is that anyone can start the races: professional or amateur, male or female, 25 or 75 years old. Everyone stands together on the same starting line to face the same weather conditions and the same course.
Ski Classics has also, since April 2019, launched the concept of Challengers. This tour has been created to connect and promote long distance skiing events worldwide. By autumn 2021, 39 races were on the Challenger calendar, combining cross-country skiing in winter and roller skiing throughout the year.
History
The cup was first arranged in 2011. The Czech skier Stanislav Řezáč won the men's overall cup, and the Swiss skier Seraina Boner won the ladies' overall cup.
In 2012, the cup consisted of 7 races. The races were Jizerská padesátka, Marcialonga, König Ludwig Lauf, Tartu Maraton, Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet and the final Norefjellrennet which was cancelled because of lack of snow. The Norwegian cross country skier Anders Aukland won the overall cup. He participated for the Norwegian team Team Xtra Personell. The Swedish skier Jenny Hansson won the ladies' overall cup.
In 2013, the cup consisted of 6 races, Jizerská padesátka, Marcialonga, König Ludwig Lauf, Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet and Årefjällslopet. It is an overall-cup, a sprintpoints-cup, a youth-cup and a team competition. The most profiled teams are Team Xtra Personell, Team United Bakeries, Team Coop, Team Tynell, Team Skinfit Racing Team and Team Skigo.
In 2014, the cup consisted of 6 races, among them La Diagonela, Marcialonga and Vasaloppet. Rickard Tynell won the first race, held in Switzerland due to lack of snow in Czech Republic.
Events Season XII: 2021/2022
| Event | Location | Country | Distance | Winner | 
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Team Tempo | Orsa Grönklitt | 9km CL | Britta Johansson Norgren - Karstein Johaug | |
| Individual Prologue | Orsa Grönklit | 33km CL | Astrid Öyre Slind - Emil Persson | |
| Pustertaler Ski Marathon | Sexten | 62km CL | Britta Johansson Norgren - Max Novak | |
| Pratto Piazza Mountain Challenge | Niederdorf | 32km CL | Ida Dahl - Johannes Eklöf | |
| La Vensota Time Trial | Val Venosta | 10km CL | Britta Johansson Norgren - Tord Asle Gjerdalen | |
| Engadin La Diagonela | Zuoz | 55km CL | Ida Dahl - Kasper Stadaas | |
| Marcialonga | Trentino | 70km CL | Ida Dahl - Ermil Vokuev | |
| Jizerská 50 | Bedrichov | 50km CL | Ida Dahl - Andreas Nygaard | |
| Tartu Maraton | Otepää | 63km CL | Britta Johansson Norgren - Emil Persson | |
| Vasaloppet | Sälen-Mora | 90km CL | Astrid Öyre Slind - Andreas Nygaard | |
| Birkebeinerrennet | Rena-Lillehammer | 54km CL | Astrid Öyre Slind - Andreas Nygaard | |
| Årefjällsloppet | Vålådalen | 64km CL | Astrid Öyre Slind - Kasper Stadaas | |
| Reistadlopet | Setermoen-Bardufoss | 50km CL | Martin Löwström Nyenget - Ebba Andersson | |
| Ylläs-Levi | Ylläs-Levi | 70km CL | Britta Johansson Norgren - Emil Persson | 
Previous winners
2011
Teams
- Team Xtra Personell
 - Team Exspirit
 - Team United Bakeries
 
Champion Men
- Stanilslav Rezac
 - Jerry Ahrlin
 - Anders Aukland
 
Champion Women
- Seraina Boner
 - Jenny Hansson
 - Susanne Nyström
 
Sprint
- Anders Aukland
 
Youth Men
- Anton Sjöholm
 
Youth Women
- Laila Kveli
 
2012
Teams
- Team Xtra Personell
 - Team Exspirit
 - Team United Bakeries
 
Champion Men
- Anders Aukland
 - Stanislav Rezac
 - Jörgen Brink
 
Champion Women
- Jenny Hansson
 - Susanne Nyström
 - Seraina Boner
 
Sprint
- Stanislav Rezac
 
Youth Men
- Morten Eide Pedersen
 
Youth Women
- Laila Kveli
 
2013
Teams
- Team Xtra Personell
 - Team Coop
 - Team United Bakeries
 
Champion Men
- Anders Aukland
 - Jörgen Aukland
 - Stanlislav Rezac
 
Champion Women
- Seraina Boner
 - Laila Kveli
 - Jenny Hansson
 
Sprint
- Simen Östensen
 
Youth Men
- Morten Eide Pedersen
 
Youth Women
- Laila Kveli
 
2014
Teams
- Team United Bakeries
 - Team Centric
 - Team Coop-Exspirit
 
Champion Men
- Johan Kjölstad
 - John Kristian Dahl
 - Simen Östensen
 
Champion Women
- Seraina Boner
 - Laila Kveli
 - Susanne Nyström
 
Sprint
- John Kristian Dahl
 
Youth Men
- Christoffer Callesen
 
Youth Women
- Inger Liv Bjerkreim Nilsen
 
2014/2015
Teams
- Team Santander
 - Team United Bakeries
 - Team Coop
 
Champion Men
- Petter Eliassen, Team Leaseplan Go
 - Anders Aukland, Team Santander
 - Tord Asle Gjerdalen, Team Santander
 
Champion Women
- Katerina Smutna, Team Silvini Madshus
 - Seraina Boner, Team Coop-Exspirit
 - Britta Johansson Norgren, Team SkiProAm
 
Sprint
- Öystein Pettersen, Team United Bakeries
 
Youth Men
- Anders Malmen Höst, Lyn Ski
 
Youth Women
- Tone Sundvor, Team Synnfjell
 
References
- ↑ Sale, Jessie (2022-01-28). "Ski Classics ends Visma seven-year title partnership". Insider Sport. Retrieved 2022-05-19.