The Tour de Ski 2024 continues to heat up as it reaches its third stage, held on New Year's Eve at the stunning location of Toblach, Italy. Norway's Astrid Øyre Slind triumphed over her fellow countrywoman Therese Johaug, who made her return to competitive racing after taking time off due to health reasons.
The competition remains fierce, with Slind finishing the 20-kilometer freestyle event with impressive timing, demonstrating not only her skill but also marking her first World Cup victory. On the other hand, Johaug secured second place just 3.3 seconds behind Slind, hinting at her competitive spirit as she returns to form.
Sweden's hopes lay heavily on the shoulders of Ebba Andersson, known for her strength and resilience. Prior to the race, expectations were high, but unfortunately, Andersson’s performance fell short of anyone’s hopes. She finished the race at 33rd place, over two minutes behind the leader, prompting her to express her frustrations post-race. “I work hard for every meter out there, and yet it results in this terrible race,” she lamented, adding, “I really don’t know why it’s so slow for me today.” Her disappointment was palpable as she struggled to fathom the poor outing, causing concern among fans and analysts alike.
Moa Ilar emerged as the best-performing Swedish competitor, placing eighth with her finish time, which was 58 seconds behind Slind. With only five Swedish women competing on this stage, the benching of notable racers such as Maja Dahlqvist and Johanna Hagström due to colds weighed heavily on the team's performance. The news of Dahlqvist's withdrawal came just before the event as she cited health issues as her reason for leaving the competition.
Despite challenges, the competition showed strength from international athletes. Jessie Diggins, the reigning champion from the previous year's Tour de Ski, started strong with back-to-back victories but faced her own set of difficulties during this latest stage. She secured sixth place, maintaining her overall lead but with competition hot on her heels from Kerttu Niskanen, who finished third on the day.
Looking forward, the excitement continues as the Tour de Ski schedules its fourth stage on January 1, 2024. The next race will feature a 15-kilometer pursuit start, setting the stage for intense competition as competitors jockey for positions based on their performance so far. Many are expecting Edvin Anger to shine among the men’s group, particularly as he ranks fifth overall, showing promise for continued success. Torgny Mogren, skiing expert, mentioned, "He has the opportunities to be among the top ten, absolutely" as they gear up for the next phase.
The next race not only sets the tone for the competitors’ strategies going forward but also presents each athlete with the opportunity to reclaim any lost standings and earn their place on the podium. With dynamics shifting quickly, fans and analysts alike will be keeping their eyes peeled for what’s next this New Year’s Day!