Cross-country skier Coletta Rydzek successfully defended a top place in the overall ranking at the Tour de Ski with the best 10-kilometer result of her World Cup career. The 28-year-old ran to 15th place on the second day of the traditional stage race in classic style. The Oberstdorf native confirmed her strong impression from the day before, when she came second in her special discipline, sprint.
“I approached today with no expectations and just wanted to enjoy it. It was super relaxed. I’m very happy that I was able to show this performance today,” said Rydzek on ARD. At the finish she was 1:01.9 minutes behind the Norwegian daily winner Astrid Öyre Slind, who prevailed ahead of Teresa Stadlober (Austria/+7.0 seconds) and Jessie Diggins (USA/+8.8).
Diggins, overall winner in 2021 and 2024, took the lead in the Tour standings, 39 seconds ahead of Öyre Slind, with Rydzek (+45 seconds) in third.
As the best German in the daily ranking, Olympic champion Katharina Hennig Dotzler finished tenth in her special discipline (+53.8 seconds) and thus achieved the norm for the Winter Games next February. “I’m incredibly relieved,” said the 29-year-old, who has recently been struggling with health problems.
The tour will also continue in Dobbiaco on New Year’s Eve with a 5-kilometer race in the new “heat mass start” mode.
