The cross-country skiing Olympic champions Victoria Carl and Katharina Hennig lead the German squad for the 19th Tour de Ski around the turn of the year (December 28th to January 5th).
The German Ski Association (DSV) is taking part in the traditional stage race with ten women and seven men. Katharina Hennig has good memories of the Tour de Ski. Two years ago she celebrated a victory in the mass start in Val der Fiemme. “That was one of the most beautiful moments of my career. Especially because my family was there that day and we were able to celebrate it together,” Hennig is quoted in a statement from the DSV. The Tour de Ski is for the Olympic champions”one of the highlights in winter. I’m looking forward to being at the start – and especially to the classic races and the skiathlon in Val di Fiemme. “ Hennig, who finished fourth in the World Cup in November, recorded her best tour result in 2022/23 when she finished fifth.
Victoria Carl surprised everyone on the tour last season. For a long time she was in the top 3 in the race for first place. Ultimately, Carl came ninth. This winter, the Thuringian came fourth once in the World Cup and fifth twice.
Last year’s runner-up Moch is reserved
In the men’s category, Friedrich Moch showed a strong tour performance and ended up second overall. But the 24-year-old will have a hard time repeating last year’s success. “The last Tour de Ski was incredibly good for me. Even though I am aware that some top athletes were missing last year”said Moch, who once finished seventh in the World Championships winter, “This time the tour will be quite strong.”
National coach Schlickenrieder: “Continue marching forward”
After the solid but not outstanding start to the season, the team also wants to take a decisive step towards the World Cup at the end of February. “We want to continue to march forward in the Tour de Ski and expand our achievements even further,” said national coach Peter Schlickenrieder: “Maybe we’ll get our first podium finish on the Tour this season. We were already in fourth and fifth place.”
Tour de Ski program
The Tour de Ski 2024/2025 starts on Saturday, December 28th. In Toblach, the sprints in the free technique are on the program on Saturday, before the classic competitions over 15 kilometers follow on Sunday (December 29th) and the interval start and pursuit races on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. From January 3rd to 5th, 2025, the Tour de Ski will conclude with the sprint, skiathlon and mass start races in Val di Fiemme.
The German squads for the Tour de Ski
Women: Victoria Carl (Zella-Mehlis), Anna-Maria Dietze (Neuhausen), Pia Fink (Bremelau), Laura Gimmler (Oberstdorf), Katharina Hennig (Oberwiesenthal), Helen Hoffmann (Oberhof), Sofie Krehl (Oberstdorf), Lisa Lohmann (Oberhof ), Coletta Rydzek (Oberstdorf), Katherine Sauerbrey (Steinbach-Hallenberg)
Men: Janosch Brugger (Schluchsee), Marius Kastner (new building), Albert Kuchler (Lam), Friedrich Moch (Isny), Florian Notz (Römerstein), Anian Sossau (Iron Doctor), Jan Stölben (Ernstberg)