The 2025 Tour de Ski reached its thrilling conclusion on January 5, 2025, at Alpe Cermis, Italy, marking a significant chapter for both established and rising stars of Nordic skiing.
German skier Friedrich Moch achieved his first podium finish of the winter season, claiming third place after a dramatic finale during the final ascent. Moch battled valiantly against tough competition, managing to deploy his remaining energy just at the right moment. "Im Steilstück habe ich nicht mehr dran geglaubt. Als es ins Flachstück ging, konnte ich ein paar Körner mobilisieren und ins Ziel retten. Ich bin super glücklich," he expressed, reflecting on his performance after crossing the finish line.
Nonetheless, the overall champion was Norwegian Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, who secured his fourth Tour de Ski title, the most prestigious trophy awarded to the best cross-country skiers. Although he finished 18th on the final stage, he maintained a comfortable overall lead, finishing the tour with an impressive total time of 3:24:17. Kläbo's success tied him with the record of the great Dario Cologna from Switzerland. Interestingly, Kläbo started the last stage with well over a minute lead, which he expertly maintained throughout the competition.
The final race was not short on excitement. Simen Hegstad Krüger, also from Norway, claimed victory for the day, completing the ascent to Alpe Cermis with fervor and determination. This win was monumental, as Krüger had previously fallen behind due to a mishap earlier during the tour, showcasing his resilience and stamina as he fought to the finish.
On the women's side, Therese Johaug triumphed with commanding skill. She not only won the final stage but did so with style, establishing herself as the overall winner with a total time of 3:46:59. Johaug's impressive performance marked her return to elite competition post-retirement, and she expressed jubilant relief at being back on the slopes: "Die letzte Etappe war fantastisch, ich liebe diesen Anstieg! Ich konnte die letzte Etappe gar nicht erwarten," she noted, clearly thrilled with her performance.
Johaug finished with more than half a minute lead over her closest rivals. Astrid Öyre Slind finished second overall, highlighting the Norwegian dominance at the podium with Jessie Diggins from the USA taking third place overall.
The results speak volumes about the depth of talent present this year. Moch's performance was particularly notable as he climbed from 12th to 6th place overall, with his coach Peter Schlickenrieder praising his tenacity: "Der Frie ist ein Kämpfer vor dem Herrn," he said, emphasizing Moch's perseverance throughout the tour.
Across both genders, the Tour de Ski proved to be grueling, with dramatic conditions leading to intense competition. A worrying statistic highlighted the tour's challenges as only 58 of the 100 male participants and 31 of the 67 women managed to complete all stages.
A notable performance also came from German runner Victoria Carl, who finished 12th on the final stage and secured 8th overall, marking her best result at the Tour de Ski to date. Other German athletes, such as Pia Fink and Laura Gimmler, also demonstrated improvement and resilience, finishing strong behind their compatriot Moch. Fink finished 13th overall, evidencing the strides being made within German cross-country skiing.
This year's Tour concluded with jubilant celebrations for the Norwegian team, underlining their competitive edge. Athletes like Johaug and Kläbo have firmly established their status as elite skiers, with rising talents joining their ranks. The German team's performances, led by Moch's breakout results, promise exciting prospects for the future.
With the completion of the 2025 Tour de Ski, all eyes will now turn to upcoming competitions as athletes regroup and train, building on the experiences and insights gained from this prestigious racing season. Each participant demonstrated impressive determination, setting the stage for what promises to be another exhilarating year of Nordic skiing.