Tour de Ski Faces Challenges Amid Tragedy and Declining Appeal as Sweden Prepares for 2025-2026 Edition

The 20th edition of the Tour de Ski, beginning December 28, 2025, is unfolding amid a mix of reflection, tragedy, and ongoing challenges, especially impacting the Swedish ski community.

Once hailed as the cross-country skiing equivalent of the Tour de France when it started in the 2006-2007 winter season, the Tour de Ski has seen a notable decline in popularity and alterations to its format. Initially attracting a broad audience, the event has recently been limited to only two locations in Italy, reducing its excitement and appeal. This waning vigor was visible in the previous year's final stage where Swedish star Frida Karlsson collapsed due to the event's intense physical demands. Despite this, Sweden remains committed, entering a robust squad of 19 athletes for the upcoming competition.

Amid this backdrop, tragedy struck when 27-year-old Norwegian skier Sivert Guttorm Bakken was found dead in his hotel room in Lavazé while wearing a height mask—a device whose safety and purpose have since sparked confusion and concern within the skiing community. Prominent figures like Sweden's Johan Olsson and Finnish Olympic champion Sami Jauhojärvi expressed bewilderment about the height mask, adding to the mystery surrounding Bakken's death. Fellow athletes, including Sweden's Karoline Simpson-Larsen and Frida Karlsson, have voiced profound grief, revealing the emotional toll on competitors even as the event moves forward.

Tensions have also surfaced between Swedish and Norwegian athletes. Norwegian cross-country skiing experts criticized Swedish athlete Alvar Myhlback for skipping the demanding 50km freestyle event at the upcoming Winter Olympics, sparking harsh rebukes from Myhlback who emphasized the technical differences between that race and Sweden's Vasaloppet marathon, which he won earlier in 2025. Social media exchanges highlighted underlying rivalry, with Norwegian skiers mocking Swedish efforts, but Swedish athletes responded with a mixture of sympathy and motivation to improve.

As the Tour de Ski continues, it stands as a symbol of both sporting tradition and contemporary challenges—balancing the physical extremes of competition, the emotional impact of tragedy, and the evolving landscape of international cross-country skiing. Sweden's dedication to the event underscores its importance despite the decline, with hopes pinned on reinvigorating public interest and athlete support.