Reacts to Kristine Stavås Skistad's tactics in Tour de Ski: 'Could never have done something like that'

Eurosport report from the fourth stage of the 2026 Tour de Ski (20 km) describes reactions to Kristine Stavås Skistad's unusually slow tactics and notes other Norwegian and international performances.

Several Norwegian women impressed on the stage, but Kristine Stavås Skistad raced at her own pace and attracted attention when she was seen approaching the finish in what commentators described as a ‘Sunday stroll’ tempo. She finished last among all starters, nearly 15 minutes behind winner Jessica Diggins.

Swede Moa Lundgren told Expressen she “could never have done something like that and lived with it.” Skistad herself told NRK that watching the images made her feel like a "talentless skier" and that she felt she had skied frighteningly poorly that day.

Meanwhile Julie Bjervig Drivenes produced another breakthrough performance in her Tour de Ski debut. The 26-year-old hung with a larger group including Ebba Andersson and Heidi Weng, staying with them until the final climb before the finish. Viaplay expert Niklas Dyrhaug praised Drivenes’ ride as “wonderful and very fun,” and Drivenes said she enjoyed the race. Drivenes finished 9th, about ten seconds behind Weng and the group. Weng recorded the fastest stage time.

Jessica Diggins started one minute ahead of her nearest competitor and extended her gap throughout the race, taking victory by 1:35 over Sweden’s Moa Ilar, who narrowly beat Theresa Stadlober for second.

For Frida Karlsson the 20 km was another disappointment: a hard opening cost her time and she sits nearly three minutes behind Diggins in the general classification.

Tour de Ski continues with a sprint on Saturday and the final climb stage on Sunday.

(Photo: Getty Images)