Dario Cologna will hope to preserve his overall lead in Germany ©Getty Images

Oberstdorf is poised to stage the first of two days of competition as the Tour de Ski heads to Germany.

The opening three races of the 12th edition of the series concluded yesterday in Switzerland.

Switzerland's Dario Cologna currently leads the men’s competition, with Sergey Ustiugov of Russia trailing by 22.6 seconds.

Alexander Bolshunov, another Russian, lies third at 55.5 seconds down.

The women’s standings are led by Norway's Ingvild Flugstad Østberg, who boasts a 32.8 second advantage over compatriot Heidi Weng.

The United States’ Jessica Diggens currently completes the top three, but trails the leader by 1min 26.9sec.

Tomorrow’s event will consist of qualification and finals of the sprint classic discipline in Oberstdorf.

Ingvild Flugstad Østberg heads the women's standings prior to the fourth race ©Getty Images
Ingvild Flugstad Østberg heads the women's standings prior to the fourth race ©Getty Images

The women’s event will take place over 1.2 kilometres, while the men’s will be 1.5km long.

Action in Germany will conclude the following day with the free technique mass start competitions, held over 10km for women and 15km for men.

Skiers will then head to Val di Fiemme in Italy for the final two legs of the series on January 6 and 7.

The first day will be a classical technique distance competition, with the last race being a free technique pursuit event.

Each leg also doubles as an International Ski Federation Cross Country World Cup competition.