High drama in Tour de Ski sprint final — Norwegian star taken to hospital, season stage over

The women’s freestyle sprint final on the opening day of the Tour de Ski in Toblach produced major drama.

Sweden’s Johanna Hagström, the fastest qualifier, fell immediately at the start of the final. Later on the last downhill, Norway’s Mathilde Myhrvold crashed and injured her left shoulder. The 27‑year‑old lay on the snow in pain, eventually got up and skied to the finish, where she was in tears and received quick assistance from teammates and staff.

According to Norway’s national team coach Sjur Ole Svarstad, Myhrvold’s shoulder appeared to be extremely painful and she couldn’t remove her poles herself. She was examined at the stadium and then transported to a local hospital in Toblach for further assessment. On Sunday evening it was confirmed that her shoulder had indeed dislocated, and she will withdraw from the Tour de Ski. If the injury is serious, it could be a significant blow to Norway’s Olympic plans; Myhrvold was second in the Davos freestyle sprint earlier this season.

Despite the incidents, Norway’s Kristine Stavås Skistad won the women’s sprint, claiming the 13th World Cup victory of her career. Germany’s Coletta Rydzek finished second and Sweden’s Maja Dahlqvist third. NRK expert Fredrik Aukland praised Skistad’s tactical control, saying she was toying with her rivals.

In the men’s final, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo attacked on the last climb and pulled away decisively to secure the 102nd World Cup win of his career, even glancing back on the home straight. Rising Norwegians Lars Heggen (20) and Oscar Opstad Vike (21) completed a Norwegian podium sweep in second and third, respectively. “The king — and perhaps his heirs,” expert Aukland said of the trio.