Astrid Øyre Slind and Therese Johaug dominated the pursuit race at the Toblach Cross-Country Ski World Cup, each showcasing elite performances to solidify their rankings. Slind's strategic racing allowed her to take the lead over Johaug by the narrowest of margins, finishing just three seconds ahead.
On January 1, the women's competition for the Tour de Ski was thrilling, drawing significant attention as the athletes tackled challenging trails. Slind’s victory marked her second win of the season, having previously won at Davos on December 15. Meanwhile, Kerttu Niskanen of Finland continued to climb the leaderboard, finishing the pursuit race strong and narrowly missing out on the podium.
Norrwegian athletes worked together effectively during the race, creating gaps between themselves and the rest of the competitors. According to Johaug, "We won together. We took turns leading and switched often," highlighting their excellent teamwork throughout the race. This collaboration proved pivotal as the duo forged their way through the 15-kilometer course.
The race saw Jessie Diggins of the USA fall from first to fourth place overall, now over one minute behind leader Slind. Despite this setback, Diggins remains optimistic, capable of delivering performances during the upcoming sprint at Val di Fiemme.
Eager to maintain her placing, Niskanen stated, "This is not the optimal position, but I have to race at my own pace and manage my energy distribution. I like the challenge." The Finnish skier remained confident as she vies to reclaim her position among the top competitors.
The conditions at Toblach were demanding, featuring significant elevation changes. The 20-kilometer race which lasted nearly one hour was described as being half uphill and half downhill, putting the endurance and strategy of the racers to the test. Johaug mentioned, "It couldn’t have gone any more perfectly today," expressing satisfaction with the outcome.
Moa Ilar represented Sweden well, finishing ninth and reflecting on her experience during the high-stakes race. "The body was quite tired at the start, but as I was caught by others, I found new strength. I'm satisfied with the outcome considering my early challenges," she noted.
After today's events, attention shifts to the upcoming stages of the Tour de Ski. Slind leads the overall standings by six seconds over Johaug, with Niskanen placing third and Jessie Diggins trailing closely behind.
The remaining formats for the competition, including sprint and skiathlon events, are anticipated to offer additional excitement as competitors strategize to reclaim or extend their standings. The Tour de Ski continues to progressively challenge the athletes, with the best yet to come as they head toward Val di Fiemme.