Katharina Schmid, who leads the overall World Cup, jumped to fifth place. In the previous World Cups this winter, the 28-year-old had either won or come second. The Two Nights Tour, which continues on New Year’s Day in Schmid’s hometown of Oberstdorf (4:15 p.m./ARD and Eurosport), is a kind of half Four Hills Tournament. The jumpers hope that the missing tour stops in Innsbruck and Bischofshofen will soon be added.
Victoria Carl narrowly missed the first podium place for the German team at the 19th Tour de Ski for cross-country skiers. On the third stage, a 20-kilometer freestyle race in Dobbiaco, the Thuringian came fourth. Carl was 7.5 seconds behind third-placed Finn Kerttu Niskanen. The winner was Astrid Ore Slind from Norway. Jessie Diggins from the USA, who placed sixth this time, kept the lead in the overall ranking.
Carl held the lead until halfway through the race after mastering the uphill section brilliantly. After that, the experienced runners got going better. Nevertheless, no one was disappointed: “Everything was perfect, both in terms of body and material,” said Carl on ARD. “It’s the wooden medal again – but Vici has what it takes to be at the top. Maybe we’ll just save that for the World Championships,” added team boss Peter Schlickenrieder. Pia Fink took 15th place, the young Helen Hoffmann came a strong 20th.
Friedrich Moch gained a few places in the overall ranking with a good 20 kilometer freestyle race at the Tour de Ski. Last year’s runner-up finished the third stage in Toblach in twelfth place. Moch was 1:07.3 minutes behind winner Harald Oestberg Amundsen. The Norwegian won the freestyle race in 44:05.3 minutes and moved within 16 seconds of his compatriot Johannes Klaebo in the overall standings, who came fifth this time after two stage wins at the start.