Paris (AFP)

At just 23 years old, the new Norwegian cross-country ogre, Johannes Klaebo, can afford a second consecutive Ski Tour, a tightened format of seven races in nine days which begins Saturday in Lenzerheide (Switzerland).

At the heart of a season without Worlds or Olympic Games, the 14th edition of the Tour de ski is the biggest meeting of winter and must crown the most complete and resistant cross-country skier of the Cup of the world.

This mini-tour offers a wide range of races, between sprints (succession of very short races by eliminating six skiers), mass start (10 kilometers for women, 15 for men), or timed events (10 and 15 km) which alternate between freestyle ("skating") or classic style.

With seven races in nine days, the Tour de ski crowns a complete and resistant skier at the end of a mass start which ends on the Alpe Cermis coast (3.6 km at 11.5% on average) in Val di Fiemme (Italy).

The Norwegian Johannes Klaebo is the big favorite in his own succession and could become the second skier only to keep his crown after the Swiss Dario Cologna, record holder of the number of final victories - four - including two consecutive in 2011 and 2012.

Klaebo, 23, has dominated the world of cross-country skiing for more than a year: almost unbeatable in sprinting, he also managed to win "distance" events, which enabled him to win 14 victories last winter and the big crystal globe.

Among the women, the Norwegians will also be favorites, with Therese Johaug, 31, in mind, twice titled in the Tour in 2014 and 2016 and holder of the big Crystal Globe. Her main competitor will be her compatriot Ingvild Oestberg, 29, who won the Tour de ski last winter.

On the French side, Jean-Marc Gaillard, 39, is lining up for the 14th time on the event. He is the only skier to have achieved this feat. The hopes of a good general classification rest on Maurice Manificat and Clément Parisse.

Ski Tour Program:

Saturday December 28: Mass start (10 km women, 15 km men) freestyle in Lenzerheide (Switzerland)

Sunday December 29: free style sprint in Lenzerheide (Switzerland)

Tuesday December 31: 10 km women, 15 km men freestyle in Toblach (Italy)

Wednesday January 1: Pursuit (10 km women, 15 km men) classic style in Toblach (Italy)

Friday January 3: Mass start (10 km women, 15 km men) classic style in Val di Fiemme (Italy)

Saturday January 4: Classic sprint in Val di Fiemme (Italy)

Sunday January 5: Mass start freestyle in Val di Fiemme (Italy)

© 2019 AFP