Cross-country series shows nation warming to wintry fare

The 2018 China Tour De Ski wrapped up at Vanke Shijinglong Ski Resort in Beijing on Tuesday after providing yet more evidence of the country's burgeoning love affair with winter sports.

The FIS cross-country skiing series, which featured five stages in four different locations in China, offered local talent the chance to compete against top foreign opposition in preparation for the 2022 Winter Olympics here.

Swedish pair Simon Persson and Lisa Svensson won the Beijing stage's men's and women's titles, but there was plenty to cheer for Chinese athletes too, with Wang Qiang taking the runner-up spot in the men's race and Qu Ying finishing fourth in the women's event.