The Tour de Ski 2025 has faced unexpected challenges with the withdrawal of several athletes, primarily due to illness and the peculiar course conditions experienced during the recent competitions. Most recently, Märta Rosenberg, one of the standout competitors, announced her departure citing health concerns.
Rosenberg, who finished 46th in the prior 20-kilometer race, reported waking up with a sore throat and has since decided to head back to Sweden, according to Aftonbladet. This news follows similar withdrawals from fellow Swedish team members, Maja Dahlqvist and Johanna Hagström, leaving many fans concerned about the health and safety of the athletes. To date, three out of the seven Swedish women competing have stepped back from the Tour due to these illness issues.
Further complicate matters, eight other skiers have also withdrawn from the Tour de Ski, with multiple complaints of sickness influencing their ability to compete. Among those are French skiers Lucas Chanavat and Julie Pierrel, demonstrating just how widespread these health concerns have become among competitors.
The Tour de Ski has become known for its rigorous courses, but this year’s stage brought its own set of peculiar challenges. During the Tuesday 20-kilometer event, athletes were forced to navigate through areas of unconventional course management. Moa Lundgren, one of the competitors, described it as ‘special’ and recounted the surreal moment when the team had to race over patched areas where volunteers were hastily restoring the track just minutes before the crowd descended upon it. "Attenzione!" they warned, urging athletes to approach the areas with caution.
According to Lundgren, the sudden shift from clear snow to poorly prepared stretches almost caused panic as the athletes tried to maintain their speed but were confronted by unexpected terrain. “It was special,” she noted, reflecting on the strange amalgamation of conditions they faced during the race. Weather conditions and miscalculated preparations have spiced up this year’s event, but it begs the question of athlete safety and the quality of the courses being laid out under such urgency.
Although some competitors voiced their thoughts on the slippery course areas, they noted the organization worked hard to facilitate the best conditions possible under the circumstances. The Norwegian skier Helene Marie Fossesholm commented on having to maneuver around loose areas of snow, adding, “We were just passing through snow; it was almost like stepping out of the ski ruts.”
With numerous withdrawals, the stakes have shifted leading up to the January 1st stage, where competitors were set to perform a 15-kilometer pursuit race. It’s remarkable how quickly situations can shift from full participation to watching one’s peers step back due to poor health. There remains hope, though, as other prominent athletes continue to participate, including Moa Lundgren, Moa Ilar, Ebba Andersson, and Linn Svahn, who will carry on the Swedish flag for the remaining events.
Despite the struggles faced by many, the organizers of the Tour de Ski expressed satisfaction with how the event has been managed so far and remain optimistic about future competitions. Comments from event organizers highlight their desire to retain similar stages for next season, aiming to refine course conditions and maintain safety as their top priority.
This year's Tour de Ski has brought out both the resilience of the athletes as they overcome strange conditions and illness, as well as the commitment of the organizers to provide high-caliber competitive skiing opportunities. Given the relentless nature of the competition, spectators are eagerly awaiting how each race will play out against these backdrops of unforeseen challenges. Going forward, attention will be on not only the health of the athletes still participating but also on how safely and efficiently the remaining events can be conducted as they navigate the waters of both illness and unexpected course conditions.