Swedish Star Withdraws from Tour de Ski

Swedish star Calle Halfvarsson (35) has opted to sit out the Tour de Ski due to back issues. The news was confirmed in a press release from the Swedish Ski Federation.

Halfvarsson has responded well to rehabilitation; however, committing to the full tour under these circumstances is a significant strain, particularly with the World Championships approaching in February. Therefore, the decision was made to pull back, focusing on his return for competitions in Les Rousses instead, according to team doctor Rickard Noberius.

He had previously had to withdraw partway through a skiathlon race in Lillehammer earlier in December due to pain and had also missed the World Cup weekend in Davos, Switzerland, because of the ongoing back issues. According to Noberius, a disc in Halfvarsson's back is affected, which irritates the nerve root. The prognosis looks promising, with rehabilitation expected to help him return to competitions shortly.

With Halfvarsson's withdrawal, Eric Rosjö will take his place in the Tour de Ski.