Sweden’s wax disaster in Toblach as Astrid Øyre Slind wins Tour de Ski stage

Norway’s Astrid Øyre Slind claimed victory on the third stage of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, winning the women’s 10 km classic after a late duel with Austria’s Teresa Stadlober. Jessie Diggins closed hard to take third and, as expected, moved into the overall Tour lead from Kristine Stavås Skistad, who finished 62nd on Monday.

Sweden endured a difficult day with what commentators described as a major waxing miss. NRK expert Fredrik Aukland was astonished, asking what Sweden had done with their skis and remarking that conditions should have been straightforward to solve. Frida Karlsson opened aggressively but faded, later admitting she had been too eager and that the result wasn’t only about equipment. Ebba Andersson also lost significant time to Diggins, saying she had some kick but not as much as needed and that it was simply a tough day.

Øyre Slind said the flat opening in Toblach can make it easy to overcook the start, and that she felt it turned in her favor once the course climbed. After the finish, she said she was in form to fight for the overall and that “anything is possible.”

Among the Norwegians, Heidi Weng moved up late to finish eighth. Other Norwegian placings included Julie Bjervig Drivenes (11), Karoline Simpson-Larsen (14), Eva Ingebrigtsen (18), Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs (19), Nora Sanness (28), Kristine Stavås Skistad (62) and Ingrid Bergene Aabrekk (65).