The New Ski Classics Pro Team Structure:

• Pro Team Composition: Each Pro Team must include a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 10 athletes.
• Gender Balance: Teams must feature at least 3 athletes of each gender. (Last season 2 of each)
• QCI, The Nationality Rule: The Pro Team can have no more than 8 athletes from established nations (Last season 9). Established nations are determined by the Quota Country Index (QCI), Countries with a QCI of less than 10% are classified as emerging, while those with a QCI higher than 10% are deemed established. The QCI considers several factors including:
  • Nationalities of Pro Teams
  • Nationalities of Pro Team Athletes
  • Overall prize money and event prize money in Ski Classics
  • Top 50 and podium finishes
  • Total points in Champion, Sprint, and Climb competitions

Cubs: In addition to athletes above, up to 2 Cubs (athletes under 22 years old) can be included in a Pro Teams roster each event. Cubs may vary between events but can only represent one Pro Team per season.

“The updated Pro Team setup is part of a process over some seasons in order to both harden the competition between the Pro Teams but also to push for more inclusive rosters. For cross country skiing in general it is of most importance to keep and increase the interest in the sport from as many nations around the world as possible!” says David Nilsson, Director of Ski Classics.

See more: Ski Classics upgrades the points system

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI:

Event 1: Bad Gastein ITT
Event 2: Bad Gastein Criterium
Event 3: 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon
Event 4: La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago
Event 5: Engadin La Diagonela
Event 6: Marcialonga
Event 7: Jizerská50
Event 8: Grönklitt Criterium 61
Event 9: Grönklitt ITT
Event 10: Vasaloppet
Event 11: Birkebeinerrennet
Event 12: Marcialonga Bodø
Event 13: Reistadløpet
Event 14: Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja

Also Read: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI

For more information on Ski Classics and the updated points system for Season XVI, visit skiclassics.com and check the full Rules & Regulations.