Time for 8th FIS Nordic Opening at Ruka

Fri, Nov  27, 2009 - By FIS

The Cross-Country season had an outstanding opening in Beitostoelen (NOR) where excellent snow conditions created a beautiful backdrop for the first competitions in the Viessmann FIS Cross-Country World Cup. Norway took full advantage of the home snow benefit by taking three of the four victories with Marit Bjoergen, Ronny Andre Hafsaas and the men's relay team. Only in the ladies' relay did the Swedish ladies team prevail ahead of Team Norway.

20,000 spectators, 8 competitions, 30 nations, 400 competitors present the key parameters of the 8th FIS Nordic Opening that will take place in ideal snow conditions at Ruka, Kuusamo (FIN). The FIS Nordic Opening is a joint World Cup weekend for all three FIS Nordic disciplines on 27th-29th November.

The true season opener for Ski Jumping and Nordic Combined, this long weekend will be the first and only time before the Olympic Games in Vancouver (CAN) that all three Nordic disciplines compete at the same venue and period of time.

Besides being the season opening and the first fitness test for the ski jumpers and Nordic Combined athletes, the Nordic Opening will also feature the comebacks of such accomplished athletes as Janne Ahonen (FIN, Ski Jumping), Felix Gottwald (AUT, Nordic Combined) and Kristina Smigun (EST, Cross-Country Skiing).