Sochi 2014: What to watch with 200 days to go

Sochi 2014 is expected to draw around 700 athletes from 45 different countries.

With exactly 200 days to go until the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games, take a look at the major events this winter season leading up to the finale in Russia.

Alpine skiing

There will be plenty of European Cup, NORAM and IPCAS races throughout the winter months, but the highlight will be the IPC Alpine Skiing World Cup.

This year’s World Cup will head to the southern hemisphere for the first time, as it kicks off on 22 August in New Zealand. It will then stop in Australia, Canada, USA, France and Switzerland before the grand finale in Tarvisio, Italy from 24-27 February.

Ice sledge hockey

The International “4 Nations” Sledge Hockey Tournament, otherwise known as the Sochi 2014 Test event, will take place from 27 August – 1 September. Defending world champions Canada and host nation Russia will take part, along with Norway and the Czech Republic.

The sport’s final three Sochi 2014 spots will be awarded at the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey Paralympic Winter Games Qualification Tournament, which takes place from 20-26 October in Torino, Italy. The six teams fighting for the three spots include: Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea and Sweden.

Nordic skiing (biathlon and cross-country skiing)

The 2013-14 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup will take place throughout December and January, beginning in Canmore, Canada from 10-18 December. It will then head to Vuokatti, Finland from 8-12 January before finishing in Oberstdorft, Germany from 16-26 January.

Wheelchair curling

Qualification for Sochi 2014 has finished, and there are no major international events in the sport until the next Paralympic Winter Games.