Sensation! Vermeulen Second Overall at Tour de Ski

Sensation! Vermeulen at the Tour de Ski Overall Second

Mika Vermeulen finished strong on Sunday in the concluding 10-kilometer mass start race at the Tour de Ski, securing a second place for the day and an overall second place behind Norway's Johannes Høsflot Klæbo.

For the 25-year-old from Styria, this is a major triumph and a first podium finish for Austrian cross-country skiing in the Tour de Ski's entire history. Vermeulen claimed the day’s runner-up position just 7.8 seconds behind Simen Hegstad Krüger, who won the race.

"Being second in the Tour de Ski is a childhood dream come true," commented a delighted Vermeulen. "Standing on the podium with the best cross-country skiers in the world is indescribable. I hoped for this but didn’t really expect it," he admitted.

His performance throughout the Tour has proven his significant talent. With a fifth place in the preceding race, he advanced to third overall, before finishing strong in the most challenging ascent of the cross-country World Cup.

Meanwhile, Teresa Stadlober, who previously achieved her best World Cup result with a second place, struggled slightly in the women's race, placing eighth in the overall standings. Nonetheless, she celebrated her remarkable improvement compared to the previous year’s performance, emphasizing her satisfaction with the result and the significance of Vermeulen’s achievement for the Austrian cross-country skiing scene.

The women's race was dominated by Therese Johaug, who secured her fourth overall Tour de Ski victory, finishing ahead of her compatriots Astrid Öyre Slind and Heidi Weng. Stadlober's teammate, Katharina Brudermann, concluded the event in 20th place and 30th overall.