Tour de Ski: Strong Rydzek stays on overall podium

Coletta Rydzek delivered the best 10 km result of her World Cup career with 15th place in the women’s 10 km classic on day two of the Tour de Ski, allowing her to successfully defend third place in the overall standings. The 28‑year‑old, second in the opening day sprint, said she approached the race without big expectations and was happy to show strong form.

Norway’s Astrid Øyre Slind won the stage, finishing seven seconds ahead of Austria’s Teresa Stadlober, with the USA’s Jessie Diggins third at +8.8 seconds. Diggins, the overall Tour winner in 2021 and 2024, moved into the overall lead by 39 seconds over Øyre Slind; Rydzek sits third at +45 seconds.

Germany logged a solid team performance: Olympic champion Katharina Hennig (listed as Hennig Dotzler) placed 10th (+53.8 s) and thereby fulfilled the selection norm for the upcoming Winter Olympics. Katherine Sauerbrey finished 16th and Pia Fink 21st.

The Tour continues on New Year’s Eve in Toblach with a 5 km race in the new “heat mass start” format.