Otepää hosts top ski sprinters this weekend
Estonian winter capital Otepää hosts individual and team sprints of FIS Cross Country World Cup series from January 17-18.
On Saturday, the ladies will take on a 1.2 kilometer sprint and men compete on a 1.5 kilometer course. The team springs in free technique will take place on Sunday.
Spectators should be prepared for surprises, as the new course has nearly the maximum amount of climbing meters allowed and is said to be one of the hardest for sprinters throughout the World Cup series.
Most of the best sprinters in the FIS World Cup overall standings will be present, including Finn Haaden Krogh, Alexey Petukhov and Frederico Pellegrino, Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg, Maiken Caspersen Falla and Justyna Kowalczyk.
Altogether, the competition will involve skiers from 18 countries.
The organizers have also put together a diverse side program for spectators visiting Southern Estonia this weekend. The side program kicks off on Friday, January 16, with the opening ceremony and sprint competition for team service staff. A ski jumping competition will also take place in the nearby Tehvandi K90 jumping hill.
On Saturday, people can either take part of the skiing marathon, Tartu Marathon 55th anniversary Retro Ski Tour, or enjoy ski and snowboard stunts in Freestyle and Big Air competitions at Väike-Munamägi. The competition will feature Estonia's most famous freestyle skier Kelly Sildaru.
On Sunday, it is children's and celebrities turn to race, as Otepää celebrates the 18th FIS World Snow Day.
For more information on the competition and side programs click here.
Editor: M. Oll