Ski Classics introduces a new points system for the competitions. The points calculation is designed to enhance competitiveness and engagement, and it will come into effect when Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVI starts in December 2024.
The new points system introduces a structure based on five categories offering different point allocations for the top finishers. The aim is to create a more dynamic competition, ensuring that the season’s most prestigious events carry more weight in determining the overall standings.
Champion competition points categories:
1. Pro Tour 500 Grand Classics (500 Points): The four most iconic events in the Pro Tour – Marcialonga, Jizerská50, Vasaloppet, and Birkebeinerrennet – are classified as Grand Classics. Winning one of these historic events will award 500 points, making them pivotal in the battle for the Champion competition overall. Seventy-nine athletes are awarded points from 500 down to 2 points; in addition, all Pro Team athletes finishing the event get at least 1 point.
2. Pro Tour 300 (300 Points): Most of the Pro Tour events fall into this category, with 300 points for the first-place finishers, ensuring consistency and performance across the season are rewarded. Seventy-nine athletes are awarded points from 300 down to 2 points; in addition, all Pro Team athletes finishing the event get at least 1 point.
3. ITT 200 (200 Points): The ITTs (Individual Time Trials), including Season XVI Bad Gastein ITT, La Venosta ITT, and Grönklitt ITT, offer a strategic twist in shorter distances, with 200 points available to the winners. Seventy-nine athletes are awarded points from 200 down to 2 points; in addition, all Pro Team athletes finishing the event get at least 1 point.
4. Super Challengers 100 (100 points): Winning a Super Challengers, which will be launched in 2025, gives the Pro Team Athlete an additional 100 points to the overall standings. Fifty-nine athletes are awarded points from 100 down to 2 points; in addition, all Pro Team athletes finishing the event get at least 1 point.
5. Challengers 50 (50 points): ASki Classics Challengers 50 event gives the winner 50 points. Forty-nine athletes are awarded points from 50 down to 2 points; in addition, all Pro Team athletes finishing the event get at least 1 point. The best Challengers result from a 50 or 100 event is included in the Yellow bib and Youth bib competitions. Find full points system tables here.
Designed to amplify the dynamics throughout the season
This new points structure reflects Ski Classics’ ongoing commitment to elevating the competition and creating more dynamics across varying race formats. The Grand Classics continue to stand as the crown jewels of the Pro Tour. Still, the additional emphasis on the Pro Tour 300 and ITT events introduces fresh challenges and strategic possibilities for all skiers.
David Nilsson, Director of Ski Classics, explains the changes:
“The new points system is designed to increase the dynamics as well as to keep competitions open throughout the season by moving the points table upwards, assigning more points to our Grand Classics events, Pro Tour 300 and ITT 200, but also slightly adjusting the relative points between them. We also give room for the new Super Challengers category, which, when launched, will make a few of the almost 70 Challengers stand out, perhaps building up the interest for an upcoming season in a new way.”
Event points Ski Classics Season XVI:
- Event 1: Bad Gastein ITT – 200 points
- Event 2: Bad Gastein Criterium – 300 points
- Event 3: 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon – 300 points
- Event 4: La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago – 200 points
- Event 5: Engadin La Diagonela – 300 points
- Event 6: Marcialonga – 500 points (Grand Classics)
- Event 7: Jizerská50 – 500 points (Grand Classics)
- Event 8: Grönklitt Criterium 61 – 300 points
- Event 9: Grönklitt ITT – 200 points
- Event 10: Vasaloppet – 500 points (Grand Classics)
- Event 11: Birkebeinerrennet – 500 points (Grand Classics)
- Event 12: Marcialonga Bodø – 300 points
- Event 13: Reistadløpet – 300 points
- Event 14: Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – 300 points
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.
Photo: Vanzetta/NordicFocus
