Astrid Øyre Slind claims first World Cup win of the season, crushing Swedes in Tour de Ski 10 km classic

Astrid Øyre Slind, 37, delivered a powerful performance to win the women’s 10 km classic interval start in Toblach on the second day of the Tour de Ski, just 39 days before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The event itself is not on the Olympic program, but the classic form shown by Øyre Slind is an encouraging sign for Norway.

Øyre Slind paced the race expertly. Although Sweden’s Frida Karlsson opened fastest and led through the early splits—by more than eight seconds at 2.1 km—the Norwegian veteran gradually turned the race around. By 5 km, Øyre Slind led by five seconds over Teresa Stadlober, with Karlsson already over 12 seconds behind. Øyre Slind maintained control to the finish for her first World Cup win of the season and the fifth of her career.

The podium: Teresa Stadlober second (+7.0) and Jessie Diggins third (+8.8). Karlsson was fifth (+35.7). After two stages, Diggins leads the overall Tour de Ski by 39 seconds ahead of Øyre Slind.

Norwegian results included: Heidi Weng (8th), Julie Bjervig Drivenes (11th), Karoline Simpson‑Larsen (14th), Eva Ingebrigtsen (18th), Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs (19th), Nora Sanness (28th), Kristine Stavås Skistad (62nd), and Ingrid Bergene Aabrekk (65th).

Øyre Slind has already been named to Norway’s Olympic team and this was her second individual podium of the season after taking third in the Olympic-distance 10 km freestyle in Davos earlier in December.

The Tour de Ski schedule ahead: - Dec 31: 5 km mass‑start heats (Toblach) - Jan 1: 20 km classic pursuit (Toblach) - Jan 3: Classic sprint (Val di Fiemme) - Jan 4: 10 km freestyle mass start (Val di Fiemme)

The final two stages take place on the Olympic courses in Val di Fiemme.