'Peken' keeps nation's cross-country hopes on course
By Chen Xiangfeng (China Daily)
Updated: 2006-01-04 06:44

"Our players are quite new in these competitions. They are mentally strong and this is very important for their development."

Cooperation

Vasaloppet 2006 is being brought to China by Nordic Ways, a Scandinavian company working to promote branded sports events in China, in conjunction with the Chinese Ski Association (CSA) and Changchun Municipal Government.

Following several years of successful collaboration, the two parties, Nordic Ways and CSA, have now further formalized the co-operation, outlining events, international competitions, training and equipment support for the coming four years.

New Swede Ronnestrand, Nordic Ways and CSA have put together an extensive training and competition program in Europe for China's top-x-country skiers, starting in Dusseldorf, Germany on October 22, and leading all the way to the Winter Olympic Games in Turin in February.

"They trained in Europe over the last few months and had the good experience of competing with the best skiers. We finished 26 and 28 in the World Cup.

"And we will have high-level training with the Italian team from mid-January. We will benefit a lot before the Olympic Games," Ronnestrand said.

Ten Chinese skiers have so far qualified for the Olympics, with the aspiration of more to come as FIS points will be obtained early on in the season.

"International competitions are essential for the further development of the team, as we saw last season," Ronnestrand said.

Among the notable successes were a third place in the relay competition in the Universiade; top places in FIS competitions in Ramsau, Austria and Reit Im Winkel, and impressive results in Vasaloppet 90-km race in Sweden.

Moreover, China will be the focus of the international X-Country Skiing Scene this coming winter season as the country will host a World Cup competition in X-country skiing for the first time in March.

(China Daily 01/04/2006 page15)