Co-favorite Jessie Diggins, on the other hand, completely off the track

Unlike in the men's race before, there is a motley podium in the women's 10 km classic race: in first place (24:53.3 m) is Frida Karlsson from Sweden after a super strong race. Second-placed Krista Parmakoski (+16.6 s) comes from Finland and Norway's Anne Kjersti Kalvaa, like her friend Toenseth before, can be happy about her third place (+18.1 s).

Katharina Hennig was close to the podium as sixth and thus best German skier. Jessie Diggins (USA) seemed to be completely off the track in Oberstdorf. On the demanding course with the sharp climbs and icy downhills she could not keep anything of her usual form. Nadine Fähndrich was also anything but happy. The Swiss, on the first two stages with the sprint victory and 9th place over the 10 kilometers still so confident, ended up only on the 16th place in Oberstdorf.

The other seven German starters finished in the following places: 25th Katherine Sauerbrey; 26th Victoria Carl; 31st Pia Fink; 34th Laura Gimmler; 35th Sofie Krehl; 39th Lisa Lohmann; 57th Alexandra Danner.

For the German cross-country skiers, nothing at all works over the 10 km classic

The victory of Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo (NOR) in the 10.0 km classic race in Oberstdorf was no big surprise. The big favorite took the 1st place in front of 2000 spectators after a strong finish with a time of 21:38.50 minutes ahead of two other Norwegians. Simen Hegstad Kruger (+ 12.40 s) had pushed himself to the limit in the last two kilometers and broke down after the finish line - exhausted but happy about his second place. The third place went to Didrik Toenseth with a time plus of 22.40 s on Klaebo.

Nothing went well for the German cross-country skiers today. The best German athlete was Albert Kuchler in 28th place (+1:09.9). The 24-year-old was the only one to make it into the World Cup points. Friedrich Moch finished in 33rd place (+1:16.7). Florian Notz finished 39th (+1:30). Thomas Bing (+1:33.2) and Jonas Dobler (1:35.2) finished 42nd and 43rd, while Lucas Bögl came in 52nd (+1:49.1).

Both athletes and officials were positively surprised by the race conditions despite days of spring-like temperatures. In the run-up to the 10 km race, the Head of OC Florian Stern, had been optimistic: "We have created really good conditions in the stadium with our many experienced volunteers and made fair and good conditions possible for the athletes".

Before the 54th Nordic World Ski Championships from February 21 to March 5 in Planica, Slovenia, the 17th edition of the Tour de Ski is considered the second highlight of the winter for cross-country skiers. Val Müstair in Switzerland, home of four-time Tour de Ski overall winner Dario Cologna, kicked off seven competitions over nine days. Oberstdorf will host the second of three stops in this extremely demanding stage event on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 3 and 4. The competition is making its tenth stop in Germany's southernmost municipality and is thus celebrating a small anniversary. Will the athletes from the Oberstdorf Ski Club Laura Gimmler and Sofie Krehl be able to use their home advantage today? The final point is traditionally set in Val di Fiemme/Italy. For the first time women and men run the same distances and women receive the same price money as men.

The origins of the Tour de Ski go back to the winter of 2006/07. The record winner is Poland's Justyna Kowalczyk, who triumphed in the Tour de Ski four times in a row starting in 2009/10. The current starting field includes several Tour de Ski winners: Heidi Weng/Norway (2017 and 2018), Jessica Diggins/USA (2021) and Johannes Hosflot Klaebo (2019 and 2022). The Norwegian is also considered the clear favorite this winter. In the women's race, Tiril Udnes Weng (Norway) wears the yellow shirt of the leader.