From February 15, 2026, Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII introduces the possibility for each Pro Team to register bonus athletes for the remainder of the season.
Each Pro Team may add one additional male and one additional female athlete from established or emerging QCI nations. These athletes will be eligible to compete in the remaining Pro Tour events of Season XVII.
According to the Ski Classics Pro Tour Rules & Regulations for Season XVII (2025/2026):
Bonus Athletes
From February 15, 2026, Pro Teams are allowed to register one male and one female athlete extra for the current Pro Tour season. These athletes may be from established or emerging QCI countries.
The rule also highlights that Ski Classics is open to all athletes from various racing backgrounds, giving, for example, Olympic and World Cup skiers the opportunity to try Ski Classics racing and compete in a different arena. It will be interesting to see athletes from different disciplines, with varying strengths, compete together in the Pro Tour.
The initiative provides Pro Teams with greater flexibility in the final part of the season and creates additional opportunities for athletes from established or emerging QCI nations to compete in the Pro Tour.
With several major events still to come – including Vasaloppet, Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT, Birkebeinerrennet, Marcialonga Bodø, Reistadløpet, and the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – the bonus athlete rule can play an important role in both individual competitions and the Pro Team standings.
Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)
Season XVII consists of 13 events across nine event weekends in six countries, from Bad Gastein in December 2025 to the Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja in March 2026.
- Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
- Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
- Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
- Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
- Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
- Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
- Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
- Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
- Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
- Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
- Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
- Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km
For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com
Author: Leandro Lutz
Photo: Reichert/NordicFocus
