Withdrawals mar the start of the Tour de Ski as athletes face illness and injury
The Tour de Ski, one of the most grueling events on the cross-country skiing calendar, has started on a rough note for the French and Swedish teams, with multiple competitors already withdrawing from the competition.
During the opening weekend at Toblach, Italy, Flora Dolci of France was the first to announce her withdrawal after the sprint freestyle qualifications on Saturday, where she placed 56th. Dolci revealed her struggles with illness, stating, "I tried but I arrived here with a virus. I’m sad but I have no regrets." Her decision to withdraw marks a significant setback for the French team, which is already dealing with multiple absences.
Following Dolci’s departure, young French skier Sabin Coupat also made the difficult decision to exit the Tour. This marked his first appearance at the Tour de Ski, but after placing 86th in the mass start event, he announced on Instagram his intention to withdraw after just two days of competition. The pressure of competing at such a renowned level proved too challenging for Coupat at this early stage.
Earlier, Delphine Claudel had already stepped back from the Tour due to a stress fracture, leaving the French squad diminished and challenging their chances for strong placements as the competition continues.
On the other hand, Switzerland's latest sensation Johanna Hagstroem also opted out, without even riding the mass start classic event on Sunday. After placing 22nd during the opening sprint, she informed her team of experiencing cold symptoms. The national team’s doctor, Rickard Noberius, shared, "We want to avoid any risk and Johanna is returning home today to focus on her health." Such decisions highlight the precautions taken by athletes when unwell, prioritizing their health amid high competition.
Germany's Sofie Krehl also pulled out prior to the same race, showing the ripple effect of illness across participant teams. The importance of maintaining peak health during such events cannot be overstated, especially after the holiday season when many athletes may not have been at their best physically.
Looking forward, the Tour de Ski resumes with another challenging leg scheduled for Tuesday, featuring the 20 km individual freestyle event. Organizers and teams are now concerned about the snowball effect of withdrawals amid the already affected player pools. The Tour de Ski runs until January 1, concluding with the pursuit races, making every competitor's health and performance pivotal for the final standings.
Across the board, athletes and teams are realizing the necessity of both managing performance and safeguarding health to thrive through this competition. This year's Tour has already presented numerous challenges, raising the stakes for those who remain.
Overall, as competitors gear up for upcoming events and continue to battle the elements, the lessons from the early withdrawals remain poignant. Fitness, preparedness, and the influence of health cannot be taken for granted, especially at elite levels of competition such as the Tour de Ski.