U.S. to Host 2012 IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup Events

U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC), has announced it will be hosting an event in the 2012 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Nordic Skiing World Cup series. The races will be held in Cable, Wis. and Minneapolis, Minn. from 29 January – 3 February.

The event will feature four cross country and two biathlon races that will showcase some of the top Paralympic Nordic skiing athletes from around the world. In total, approximately 100 athletes will compete in the World Cup.

"The United States hasn't hosted a major international Nordic skiing event since 2005, and we're excited to bring elite competition onto our home soil," said John Farra, USOC director, High Performance, Paralympic Nordic Skiing. "This is an exceptional opportunity for many of our up-and-coming athletes to get some international experience two years out from the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi."

In addition to the six races where athletes can earn World Cup points, all competitors will have the opportunity to participate in the City of Lakes Loppet. This event is a cross country ski festival held annually in Minneapolis and is expected to draw 10,000 participants.

U.S. Paralympics is hosting this IPC Nordic Skiing World Cup in partnership with Central Cross Country Ski Association (Madison, Wis.) and the City of Lakes Nordic Ski Foundation (Minneapolis, Minn.).