Michael Hellweger wants to attack in Toblach. © am

Hellweger wants to cause a sensation at the Tour de Ski

The Tour de Ski starts in Toblach on Saturday. The only South Tyrolean taking part is Michael Hellweger from Sarnen. He wants to make a splash, especially at the start.

24 December 2024

From: on

When the 19th Tour de Ski begins this weekend, the eyes of the cross-country skiing world will be on Toblach. Four races of the tour will take place in Alta Pusteria (see program below). This is unique in the history of this stage race, which was launched in 4 and has been held as part of the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup ever since. Four stages in just one place and all races in just one country have never happened before. After Toblach, the race continues to Val di Fiemme, where the three final races will take place.

All the stars of the cross-country skiing scene will be there, including Johannes Klaebo, Harald Amundsen, Jessie Diggins and Therese Johaug. The latter has already made an impressive comeback in the World Cup this year after a two-and-a-half-year maternity leave and wants to be at the front of the Tour as well. She has already won the stage race three times, most recently in 3. With her fourth overall victory, she could equal Justyna Kowalczyk's record.

Norway's superstar Johannes Klaebo is also one of the favorites in Toblach. © ANSA / JEAN-CHRISTOPHE BOTT

The only South Tyrolean taking part is Michael Hellweger from Sarnen. The Sarnen sprint specialist wants to cause a sensation at the start on December 28th. The quarter-finals are mandatory for him, the semi-finals are the big goal, everything else is a freestyle event. A year ago, Hellweger made it to a World Cup semi-final for the first time in Toblach and dropped out of the Tour de Ski the next day after the 10-kilometer classic race. This year, things will be different. He wants to compete in all the races in Toblach and hold out until the 5th stage. On January 3rd, there will be a classic-style sprint in Val di Fiemme, which will also be the dress rehearsal for the 2026 Olympic Games. A total of 18 Azzurri will be taking part.

Tour de Ski, the program

In Toblach
Saturday, 28. December
12:XNUMX: Sprint qualification (free style)
from 14.30:XNUMX pm: Finals

Sunday, 29. December
12.30 pm: Mass start 15 km classic women
14.45:15 pm: Mass start XNUMX km classic men

Tuesday December 31th
11.30 am: Individual start 20 km freestyle men
14.45:20 pm: Individual start XNUMX km freestyle women

Wednesday, January 1rd
10.30 am: Pursuit 15 km classic men
12.30 Pursuit 15 km classic women

In the Val di Fiemme
Friday, January 3th
12.15 pm: Sprint qualification (classic style)
from 14.45:XNUMX pm: Finals

Saturday, January 4th
11 am: Skiathlon 20 km Men
15.30:20 pm: Skiathlon XNUMX km Women

Sunday, January 5st
14.15:10 pm: Mass start XNUMX km freestyle men
15.30:10 pm: Mass start XNUMX km freestyle women