The 2024/2025 Tour de Ski culminated with excitement this Sunday, as elite cross-country skiers from around the globe showcased their skills across nine days of rigorous competition. The final event, set against the stunning backdrop of Alpe Cermis, featured the anticipated 10km mass start races, where athletes competed fiercely for top honors. Amidst this thrilling setting, Norwegian star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo clinched the overall title, solidifying his status as one of the sport's best.
Kicking off the final day of competitions, Simen Hegstad Krüger from Norway claimed victory in the men’s Final Climb, finishing with a time of 32:39.6. He was followed closely by Austria's Mika Vermeulen, who finished just 7.8 seconds later, and Germany's Jan Friedrich Moch, completing the podium with a time of +10.7 seconds behind Krüger. Klæbo’s consistent performance throughout the event secured him first place with an overall time of 3:24:17, giving him reason to celebrate alongside his teammates.
On the women’s side, Therese Johaug fiercely defended her title with remarkable composure and skill. She crossed the finish line with an aggregate time of 3:46:59.0, ensuring second place went to her compatriot Astrid Øyre Slind, who trailed by 47.5 seconds, and Jessie Diggins of the USA, who took third, finishing +2:41.3 behind Johaug. Diggins' performance is particularly noteworthy as she represented American skiers proudly on this international stage, contributing to the growing popularity of the sport back home.
Reflecting on her victory, Johaug expressed joy at reclaiming the title, especially since she initially planned to sit out the tour. “It’s very exciting to win the Tour de Ski, especially as I wasn’t supposed to compete,” Johaug said after her win (Reported by Nettavisen). Her accomplishment is amplified by the cultural significance of her success, as she continues to inspire countless young athletes.
The atmosphere brightened significantly on the last day when American alpine skiing legend Lindsey Vonn made an appearance to support her compatriots. The star-studded event drew spectators and involved supporters, with Vonn cheering for Jessie Diggins and the U.S. team. Johaug’s response upon seeing Vonn noted her immediate starstruck feelings: “I was starstruck at the finish area. I walked around thinking, ‘Is it really her?’” This added layer of celebrity presence lends additional excitement to the Tour de Ski's reputation and highlights its appeal beyond just competitive sporting events.
The Tour de Ski featured seven competitions across nine days, taking place primarily between Toblach and Val Di Fiemme, Italy. The competition began on December 28, 2024, with sprint races and progressed with various mass start events and distance races leading up to the Final Climb. Each day of the event provided opportunities for athletes to showcase their skills and resilience.
The overall standings for the sprint categories echoed the talent within the sport, with Nadine Fähndrich from Switzerland leading the women's sprint standings with 80 points, closely followed by Finland's Jasmi Joensuu at 62 points and Jessie Diggins at 51 points. Similarly, Klæbo dominated the men's sprint standings with 94 points, illustrating his versatility and power across different ski disciplines.
The Acrobat Climb standings reflected the endurance athletes showed throughout the series, with Johaug again taking the top position with 114 points, demonstrating her formidable climbing skills. The men's climb saw France's Hugo Lapalus scoring 69 points, underscoring the competitive nature of these athletes as they tackle steep climbs during the events.
Moving forward, the World Cup season continues with forthcoming events across France, Switzerland, and other locations, concluding with the championships at the end of February and beginning of March. Drink these upcoming events, expectations remain high as skiers prepare to lean on lessons learned during the Tour de Ski.
This year’s Tour de Ski has not only been about competition but also about uniting elite athletes and inspiring budding cross-country skiers. Athletes like Johaug, Klæbo, and Diggins have become household names, representing their nations proudly and setting the stage for future generations to follow.
With memories of the 2024/2025 Tour de Ski still fresh, fans and athletes can look forward to another exciting season, brimming with passion and perseverance as the sport continues to evolve. Competitive skiing at this level brings unpredictability and joy, and every athlete’s story serves as motivation for others within the skiing community.