Sweden’s Linn Svahn and Norway’s Lotta Udnes Weng withdraw from Tour de Ski

Sweden received a setback on Boxing Day as Linn Svahn, selected for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics, withdrew from the Tour de Ski after experiencing pain in her right leg during training. National team coach Stefan Thomson told SVT that the decision is precautionary and that the issue is likely a compressed nerve.

Svahn has endured a difficult spell. Last winter she crashed in training at the Trondheim World Championships venue, sustained a head injury, and missed the championships and the remainder of the season. As recently as August, reports noted she was still not fully recovered from concussion and a neck injury. She returned to the World Cup with a strong third place in the sprint at Trondheim but will now be replaced at the Tour by Evelina Crüsell.

Norway also announced a late withdrawal: Lotta Udnes Weng woke up on Christmas Day with a sore throat and will not compete, team doctor Ove Feragen said. Nora Sanness steps in for Weng. Weng’s best World Cup result this season is 14th in the Davos free sprint; Sanness has placed seventh in the 20 km at Ruka and the 10 km free in Trondheim. Neither was on Norway’s initial list of Olympic selections earlier in December.

The Tour de Ski starts Sunday in Toblach, Italy, and concludes in Val di Fiemme on 4 January.