Ski mountaineering World Cup 2018: China kickoff this weekend

After the long summer layoff the ski mountaineering World Cup 2018 gets underway this weekend with its first stage at Wanlong in China. 20 female and 70 male athletes representing 13 nations are expected, and the Espoir and Senior categories will compete in the Vertical and Sprint disciplines. The Wanlong Ski resort is located close to Zhangjiakou, circa four hours from Beijing, and according to the current weather forecast the athletes will be greeted by temperatures as low as – 20° C.

Following this season debut the skimo world cup circuit will move to Villars-sur-Ollon in Switzerland, then to Acalis in Andorra and Puy-Saint-Vincent in France, before coming to a close at Madonna di Campiglio in Italy. Athletes will also compete in the European Cup and the European Championship on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily, as well as taking part in the La Grande Course classics: Altitoy Ternua, Pierra Menta and Tour du Rutor in March and Patrouille de Glaciers in April.

Info: www.ismf-ski.org