Back pain keeps Swedish ski jumper from Tour de Ski

Calle Halfvarsson, 35, one of Sweden's top male cross-country skiers, has had to withdraw from the upcoming Tour de Ski tournament. Halfvarsson has been suffering from back issues, and the team doctor Rickard Noberius stated that while his rehabilitation has been going well, participating in a demanding tournament like the Tour in his current condition would be too much strain, especially with the World Championships approaching in February. Instead, Eric Rosjö will be replacing him for the Tour de Ski.