Saturday, December 17, it’s time for La Venosta Criterium. The 36km long-distance race is the third Ski Classics Season XIV event and takes place in Val Venosta, Italy. Here are all the facts you need to know before the weekend. 

On Saturday, Ski Classics continues with the third event of Season XIV, La Venosta Criterium, taking place in the Venosta Valley in northern Italy and the western part of South Tyrol.

La Venosta Criterium

La Venosta Criterium event is a mass-start race to be completed in several laps, classic technique, and a challenging course. This spectacular race challenges the Pro Tour skiers to the maximum on a demanding course at high altitude in the charming Vallelunga Valley. 

The race starts at Melago, where the skiers circle in loops around the highest point at 1900 meters above sea level – Melago Alm, where the event finishes. Melago holds a Sprint checkpoint at 6km and two Climb checkpoints at 20km and 28km into the race, where points can be collected for the Sprint and Climb Competitions, respectively.

Expect many battles on the altitude as the Pro Tour athletes fight for glory in the Ski Classics’ third event of Season XIV.

La Venosta Criterium – Course Map & Profile

La Venosta Criterium – Facts

• Date: December 17, 2022
• Location: Val Venosta, Italy
• Distance: 36km Classic Technique
• Start Time: Women 8:15 CET/Men 10:30 CET 
• Number of SC Sprints: 1
• Sprint 1: 6km
• Number of SC Climbs: 2
• Climb 1: 20km
• Climb 2: 28km
• Total Ascent: 987m

La Venosta Criterium program, start lists, and live streaming on SC Play can be found HERE.

Fascinating Valley In The South Tyrol 

Situated close to the borders of Switzerland and Austria, the valley has always offered cross-country skiing tracks and good snow conditions in early December, giving the Pro Teams an excellent opportunity to get some early season race on snow.

La Venosta is a hidden jewel and offers breathtaking sceneries and South Tyrolian nature at its best. The atmosphere in the area is captive, and before the holiday break, skiers and visitors can check out the surrounding idyllic small towns and local seasonal markets as the event takes place. La Venosta is a perfect place to let the Christmas spirit soak in.  

Ski Classics Fantasy

The free-of-charge Fantasy League for Season XIV is up and running. Build your own Fantasy Pro Team and score the most points during the Ski Classics Season XIV. 

How to Play

1. Go to SC Fantasy via https://fantasy.skiclassics.com/
2. Login with your existing Fantasy account or create a new one.
3. Read through “HOW TO PLAY” to ensure you understand all the rules and new features.
4. Go to “Team Selection” and choose/buy up to 10 athletes using your starting balance of 40.000 Fantasy dollars. Make sure to check out the start lists before each event to ensure that your athletes are on the start line. 
5. Remember to mark one of your athletes as a Team Captain!
6. Go to “Leagues” and join an existing league or create your own to compete with your friends.
7. Invite your friends and family to join you for free in an exciting battle for the win!
8. Have fun, and may the best ski coach win!!

All TV Channels Season XIV

La Venosta Criterium is only one day away, starting on Saturday, December 17. Here is an overview of where you can watch Ski Classics this season:

• SVT – Sweden 
• NRK – Norway 
• Czech TV – Czech Republic 
• TVP – Poland
• WB Discovery – Finland 
• Nent Group – Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, UK 
• beIN Sports – Canada, Turkey, and USA 
• Eurovision (EBU) – News rights
• SC PLAY – all countries (English commentary)

The Season XIV of Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 30km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 55km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More info about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.

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