CHINA TOUR DE SKI

The third stage of this year's China Tour de Ski in Inner Mongolia's Xiwuqi Ski Arena went surprisingly to Lukas Johansson, the younger brother of two-time champion Adam Johansson. Lukas managed to stay just ahead of Anders Hoegberg in the 5km medium distance race, while the latter grabs the lead in the overall classification. Astrid Bruland on the other hand grabbed her second stage win and is firmly in charge of the women's competition.

Sweden's Anders Hoegberg has claimed the second stage of the 2014 China Tour de Ski and his fourth Vasaloppet China title in Changchun's Jingyuetan today. The 38-year-old veteran was clearly fastest during the 45km long classic style race and arrived at the finish solo. The women's race was again won by a domestic skier: Ma Qinghua outpaced yesterday's winner Astrid Bruland.

The first stage of the 2014 China Tour de Ski, a brand new sprint stage in Changchun's Jingyuetan Park, confirmed the rise of Victor Gustafsson as a protagonist for this year's tournament. Both Adam Johansson and Anders Hoegberg still seemed a bit rusty and 'only' achieved 7th and 12th place respectively. In the women's Norway's Astrid Bruland is taking the fight to Lisa Svensson with a strong win.

With only a few days to go until the start of the 2014 China Tour de Ski, preparations are on track and we all look forward to great competitions. In accordance with last year the tour will cover a very large part of northern China and in addition to the international travel, the international and domestic athletes will travel more than 9000km domestically just between the event venues.

Both Adam Johansson and Lisa Svensson have confirmed their participation in the upcoming 2014 China Tour de Ski and will defend their overall titles secured in great style last season. The Swedish ski stars will face stern opposition, though, and Johansson will be up against the "Ski King of China" Anders Hoegberg.

After the great success of last year, the 2014 China Tour de Ski has set the bar at the same height with six stages in three different areas of China. The Tour will commence in the North East and continue via Inner Mongolia to the far west of Xinjiang. It all starts on New Year's Day!