Tour de Ski: Simpson‑Larsen and Weng strongest up the slalom hill

Karoline Simpson‑Larsen showed remarkable strength and emotion as she won the final climbing stage of the Tour de Ski on Alpe Cermis. Half a week after the tragedy in Lavazè — where skater Sivert Guttorm Bakken was found dead — Simpson‑Larsen said she was moved to tears and described the last words Bakken said to her before his death: that “he had faith” and that he wished he could have watched her race. Simpson‑Larsen dedicated the victory to that difficult period and to the memory of Bakken.

On the final climb Simpson‑Larsen and Heidi Weng broke away early from a group that included Ebba Andersson and Jessie Diggins. Weng fought to stay with Simpson‑Larsen but was passed by overall winner Jessie Diggins on the final stretch; Diggins took the Tour title. Weng finished third overall, and Simpson‑Larsen climbed to seventh in the general classification after also securing earlier World Cup success in Davos.

Other strong performances included Julie Bjervig Drivenes, who finished fifth overall in her first Tour, and Johanna Matintalo who placed sixth. Tour de Ski top ten (women) listed: Jessie Diggins (winner overall), Teresa Stadlober (2nd), Heidi Weng (3rd), Ebba Andersson (4th), Julie Bjervig Drivenes (5th), Johanna Matintalo (6th), Karoline Simpson‑Larsen (7th), Moa Ilar (8th), Jasmi Joensuu (9th) and Darija Neprjajeva (10th).

Simpson‑Larsen said after the race that she had struggled to keep focus during the tour but used the memory of Bakken — described as “someone who would not have given up” — as motivation. Her result strengthens her place on Norway’s Olympic team; Drivenes also made a strong case for selection. The article includes comments from NRK commentators and background on the Lavazè incident and its impact on the Norwegian athletes.