The Tour de Ski from a Swiss perspective at its zenith: Dario Cologna fights his way past the fans up the Alpe Cermis as the overall winner
Image: Keystone
Wants to be on the stage podium at the Tour de Ski too: Nadine Fähndrich after her 3rd place two weeks ago in Davos
Image: Keystone
Johannes Hösflot Klaebo wants to write another chapter in cross-country skiing history with a fifth Tour de Ski victory
Image: Keystone
The Tour de Ski from a Swiss perspective at its zenith: Dario Cologna fights his way past the fans up the Alpe Cermis as the overall winner
Image: Keystone
Wants to be on the stage podium at the Tour de Ski too: Nadine Fähndrich after her 3rd place two weeks ago in Davos
Image: Keystone
Johannes Hösflot Klaebo wants to write another chapter in cross-country skiing history with a fifth Tour de Ski victory
Image: Keystone
The Tour de Ski turns 20 and is shrinking. Two locations, six stages, only Italy. What once began as a cross-country skiing highlight with five destinations across half of Europe is now more compact and runs through two valleys.
25.12.2025, 04:31
25.12.2025, 08:26
SDA
When the Tour de Ski was launched at the turn of the year 2006/2007, it was a promise: more drama, more stage, more cross-country skiing. Conceived by Jürg Capol and Vegard Ulvang in the slipstream of the 2004 Tour de France, it was intended to give cross-country skiing what also characterizes cycling. The plan worked. The Tour quickly became a fixed star in the World Cup calendar, the toughest week of the year, a yardstick for versatility and endurance. And thanks to Dario Cologna's four overall victories, it also became a major media event in Switzerland.
Over the years, the event has traveled through Central Europe. Four, sometimes five venues with sprints in the city, also with stages from A to B and always the climb to Alpe Cermis at the end. A ramp that was initially frowned upon, but has established itself as a trademark of the Tour de Ski.
Only two stage towns left
This spectacle, or in some cases the cruelty of these final fireworks, keeps the Tour de Ski alive. Because the stage race has passed its zenith. The anniversary edition presents itself in a reduced form. Just two stages, Toblach and Val di Fiemme, around 130 kilometers apart. Italy is helping cross-country skiing out of a jam with six stages. The logistical effort, the time pressure around the festive season, the lack of accommodation - there are now many arguments against the Tour de Ski, which once spanned the whole of Europe. Swiss-Ski has also dropped out as an organizer, despite its tradition and enthusiasm.
However, the Tour de Ski does have one advantage this winter. The sprint in Val di Fiemme is taking place on the new Olympic course, so that even the best skiers are taking the opportunity to explore the course there once again. Only Jonna Sundling, one of Nadine Fähndrich's rivals, has decided to skip the Tour de Ski in favor of a training period.
Mixed Swiss season results
The Swiss team has mixed results ahead of the Tour de Ski. The team continues to be led by Nadine Fähndrich, who is living up to her role as a driving force. Fifth place at the start in Ruka and, above all, a podium finish at her home World Cup in Davos show that the World Championship bronze medallist is on the right track.
Behind her, Anja Weber took a remarkable step forward. Quarter-finals, semi-finals, a 10th place in the sprint in Davos and 16th place in the 10 km skating: the athlete from the Zurich Oberland consistently delivers and scores points in every race. In 13th place, she is the best Swiss woman overall. Nadja Kälin also put in a very solid performance.
The pendulum is still swinging in the men's race. Valerio Grond and Janik Riebli set the tone occasionally in the sprint, but lack consistency. And the team is struggling over the long distances. Only Beda Klee is currently running at Olympic level, but the man from eastern Switzerland is skipping the Tour de Ski.
Klaebo aims for a record
While several nations will be represented in the top positions in the women's field, Norway's men are once again threatening to dominate. In the battle for Olympic tickets, they will give each other nothing. Johannes Hösflot Klaebo may be seeded for the Winter Games, but he has another goal in mind. With a fifth overall victory, he could become the sole record holder. So far, the all-rounder has shared this accolade with Dario Cologna. The women's record winners Justyna Kowalczyk and Therese Johaug also have four overall victories.
