Ski Classics has published several updates to its Athlete and Pro Team regulations ahead of Pro Tour Season XVII, starting on December 13, 2025, in Bad Gastein. The updates streamline formats, team rules, procedures, and points to enhance clarity and fairness.
Pro Tour Season XVII features 13 events across nine weekends and six countries, including the Grand Classics, the first Bedřichov Sprint, and the new Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITTs. As the Pro Tour evolves, the rules have been updated to reflect its growing professionalism.
Below is an overview of the key updates for Season XVII.
Pro Team competition: refined scoring structure
The Pro Team competition remains based on the combined performance of each team’s top athletes, but the points structure has been clarified and expanded. Pro Team points at each event will now be calculated from:
- Champion points from the Pro Team’s best two male and best two female athletes.
- All Sprint and Climb points earned by the Pro Team.
- 50% of the Champion points out of the Pro Team’s best Youth athlete.
- 50% of the Champion points of the Pro Team’s best athlete from an emerging country (QCI).
- Premium Sprint points awarded during non-sprint events, when applicable.
- For separate sprint events, Premium Sprint points will constitute the Pro Team points for that event.
Cub and Vet categories: expanded and gender neutral
The Cub category allows a maximum of five Cub athletes per Pro Team per season, two for each event, regardless of gender.
The Cub (athletes aged 23 or below) and Vet (athletes aged 40 or older) bibs will be worn by the single leading athlete in the overall Champion standings for each category, and will also be gender-neutral.
Bonus athletes
From February 15, 2026, each Pro Team may register one additional male and one additional female athlete from established or emerging QCI nations for the remainder of the season.
Competition formats and race procedures
Points structure
Season XVII events may be categorized as 100p, 300p, or 500p, with updated points tables applied accordingly.
- 500p: Grand Classics
- 300p: Standard Pro Tour events
- 100p: PTT Points and Sprint Event Points
Premium Sprint
Premium Sprint has been newly added and fully integrated into the rules for Season XVII. Premium Sprint points are counted on top of Pro Team points, except for separate Sprint events.
Pro Team Tempo
Individual points will be awarded at Pro Team Tempo.
Start procedure
Athletes from the leading Pro Team in the Pro Team competition will start in the row immediately behind the color bib holders.
Individual Time Trial (ITT) rules
During ITT events, athletes must stay in the classic tracks at all times, except when overtaking or in unavoidable circumstances (such as loss of balance). Violations may result in a 5-minute penalty, although the race jury may suspend the rule depending on snow conditions.
Sprint event format
The sprint event, debuting this season in Bedřichov, follows a standardized procedure:
- Qualification follows the ITT start format.
- The top 14 athletes advance to the semifinals (two heats of seven athletes each).
- Top 3 from each semifinal plus one lucky loser advance to the final.
Skier of the Day by DEVOLD
At each event (except the Pro Team Tempo), fans can vote via the Ski Classics app for one male and one female athlete who delivered an exceptional performance. The awards will be presented during the flower ceremony.
Prize money
Total prize money for Season XVII is EUR 200,000.
Full Rules & Regulations
The complete Ski Classics Pro Tour Rules and Regulations Season XVII – Athletes & Pro Teams 2025/2026 can be found HERE
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)
• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Austria – 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Austria – 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Switzerland – 55km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Italy – 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Czech Republic – 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Czech Republic – 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sweden – 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Sweden – 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Sweden – 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Norway – 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Norway – 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Norway – 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Norway – 60km
Read More: Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII 2025/2026
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: NordicFocus
