China will be the focus of the international X-Country Skiing Scene this coming winter season as the country will host a World Cup competition in X-country skiing for the first time.

China's ski athletes will also train and race in Europe with ambitious targets set for the Winter Olympics in Turin in February.

The Chinese skiers will be guided to greater heights by the new coach Swedish Per-Erik Ronnestrand.

"We are very proud of this cooperation," said Gavert Waag, vice president and ski director of Nordic Ways at the long-term agreement with the Chinese Ski Association (CSA).

"We are convinced China will become a dominant ski nation in just a few years."

Following several years of successful collaborations, the two parties, Nordic Ways and (CSA), have now further formalized the co-operation, outlining the coming four years in the field of events, international competitions, athletes training and equipment support.

Following the past years of rapid development of X-country skiing in China, a truly historical event, this Ski Sprint Final with the entire ski world elite on the start lists will be held in Changchun on March 15. Jointly organized by CSA, the city of Changchun and Nordic Ways, the competition marks the 2006 race season final with thrilling races.

Set in an outdoor stadium, the skiers race two loops spanning 1,100 metres a format almost identical to track and field long- distance running.

New Swedish Ronnestrand, Nordic Ways and CSA have put together an extensive training and competition programme for China's top-x-country skiers in Europe, starting in Dusseldorf, Germany on October 22, and leading all the way to the Winter Olympic Games in Turin in February.

Ten Chinese skiers are so far qualified for the Olympics, and with the aspirations of more to come as FIS points will be obtained early on in the season.

"When I first met the Chinese team, I was very impressed by their physical capabilities. With some adjustments on technique and equipment, I'm confident we'll soon be fighting with the best," Ronnestrand said.

"International competitions are essential to the further development of the team, as we saw last season," Ronnestrand said. Among the notable successes were a third place in the relay competition in the Universiade; top places in FIS competitions in Ramsau, Austria and Reit Im Winkel, and impressive results in Vasaloppet 90-km race in Sweden.

The China Ski Team is on the right track and the entire ski world now has China and its skiers on their lips.

"The good results last season were noticed by the professional skiers. Everyone expects their big break to come soon," said Erik Unaas, chairman of the Board of Nordic Ways.

(China Daily September 27, 2005)