Therese Johaug cemented her legacy as one of the greatest cross-country skiers of all time by winning the Tour de Ski for the fourth time on January 5, 2025. The Norwegian athlete, who made her triumphant comeback this season after nearly three years away due to maternity leave, showcased dominance throughout the event, particularly during the final ascent to Alpe Cermis.
Johaug completed the 10-kilometer race with commanding ease, unleashing her signature speed to fend off her competitors right from the start. By the 9.2-kilometer mark, she held nearly 45 seconds over the nearest pursuers, sealing her victory with the Norwegian flag waved high. Her time of 3:46:59 hours ensures another noteworthy addition to her record, matching Justyna Kowalczyk's tally of four overall Tour de Ski titles, as noted by GN De sports.
Johaug exclaimed, "With my 86th World Cup victory, I have also taken the lead in the overall World Cup standings." Meanwhile, her compatriots did not disappoint either; Astrid Oeyre Slind finished second (+25.5 seconds), followed by Heidi Weng (+28.0 seconds). All indications suggest dominance of Norwegian skiers over the competition.
On the men's side, Friedrich Moch finally clinched his first podium finish of the season, taking third place during the challenging final climb—a feat not to be overlooked as it marked the first top-three finish for the German team this Tour. Starting from the early stages of the race, Moch initially found himself leading but faltered during the 8.5-kilometer mark to fall behind the top contenders. He displayed remarkable grit, as he battled back through sheer determination on the final slopes, finishing just 10.7 seconds shy of Simen Hegstad Krüger, who took first place.
Moch's performance secured him sixth place overall, moving up from thirteenth as he progressed through the stages of the Tour. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, "I did not believe I could make it to the podium because I felt off compared to the previous year. But I was able to mobilize some strength during the flat stretches at the top and hold on until the finish. I am super happy to achieve this podium."
"The Fri has done justice to his nickname 'Friedrich the Great' today," commented Peter Schlickenrieder, the German national coach, praising Moch's tactical execution and physical strength displayed throughout the race. This sentiment was echoed throughout the team, as Moch successfully garnered the first World Cup podium place for the German Ski Association this season.
Victoria Carl also stood out among her peers, securing eighth place overall. "I am very satisfied with the performance of the girls," Schlickenrieder noted as he motivated the athletes. Pia Fink, finishing eleventh, narrowly missed the top ten. The German contingent showed promising abilities and potential, with more improvements expected as preparations continue for the upcoming World Championships.
Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo clinched his fourth overall Tour win, showing once again why he is deemed one of the biggest names in international skiing. His 18th-place finish was conservatively enough to maintain his substantial lead throughout the competition, finishing with clear margins over competitors like Mika Vermeulen and Hugo Lapalus, who placed second and third respectively.
The event concluded with immense excitement not only for victorious athletes Johaug and Klaebo but also for Moch, whose podium finish signifies hope for German skiing as he sets his eyes on continued growth through the upcoming competitive season. Overall, the 2025 Tour de Ski showcased thrilling racing across each day of competition, leaving fans eager for future installments of this beloved winter sport.