With about three weeks to go to the 3rd Tour de Ski China, there are skiers from Sweden, Norway, Denmark, France,Switzerland, China etc confirmed to take part. One of them is Maria Rydqvist who is new to the Tour in China. Maria is a well merited skier with two wins in the Swedish National Championships and 4 top 30 positions in Tour de Ski among other merits Her best World Cup finish was third in a 4x5km event in Sweden 2007.
In the men’s tour, a participant who is making a comeback is Swedish Peter Larsson. Peter who recently withdrew from the professional ski scene is making an exclusive appearance in Tour de Ski China of which he won two stages in the first edition in 2008. Peter who has 4 FIS World Cup stage victories in his career got
convinced by his friend, Vasaloppet China winner Fredrik Persson to come to China one more time and try his luck…
Other known names on this years tour is of course last years outstanding tour winner Anders Hogberg who has a good chance of winning again this year. Another who has been on the tour from the start is Swedish skier Gustaf Berglund who had his best placement the first tour 2007-08 with a 2nd place in Vasaloppet China and a 4th position in the overall Tour.
Maria Rydqvist (SWE)
Ostersunds SK
Born: 1983
FIS Tour de Ski – 4 times top 30
FIS Race – 6 times top 6
National Championships – 2 times Nr 1
Peter Larsson (SWE)
Born: 1978
FIS World Cup – 4 wins and 9 podium placements
2007-08 Tour de Ski China, 2 times stage winner
2006 Winter Olympics – 13th place Sprint