The 25-year-old from Norway has had a long journey to the top, but everything finally clicked for the super substitute in the Tour de Ski.

Håvard Moseby has been considered one of Norway’s most promising young talents for years, repeatedly tipped for a major breakthrough. Finally he could achieve that in the beginning stages of the Tour de Ski.

Despite being just 25 years old, he is already a veteran on the development team. On Sunday, everything came together as he secured his first World Cup podium. Moseby delivered the biggest surprise of the day in the Tour de Ski, finishing third in the 15 km event in Toblach.

“This is huge. To come in as a substitute for the Tour de Ski and secure a podium on day two already, it means so much. This is what I’ve been working for all year,” Moseby told Viaplay after crossing the finish line.

The race was the second stage of this year’s Tour de Ski, and Moseby was called up as a substitute just three days prior. For the Kjelsås native, the podium finish was especially rewarding, as his journey to World Cup success hasn’t been easy.

Major Setbacks

“I broke my collarbone this summer, so achieving my best result in a season like this means a lot.”

The summer collarbone injury is just one of many setbacks Moseby has faced in recent years.

In the summer of 2021, Moseby suffered a pelvic fracture, forcing him to overhaul his pre-season training. For three months, his focus was on rehabilitation and alternative training.

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Nevertheless, he was selected for the World Cup in Lillehammer in December that year, debuting at the top level with an eighth-place finish in the 15 km event. He repeated this impressive performance in the 50 km race at Holmenkollen later that winter and ended the season with a dominant showing in the Norwegian Cup, winning the senior and U23 overall titles, as well as all individual cups.

The following year, Moseby delivered similar results and participated in the Tour de Ski, finishing 21st overall.

In the 2023/24 season, he did not compete in any World Cup events but achieved several strong placements in both the Scandinavian Cup and the Norwegian Cup.

This year, Moseby’s preparations were disrupted by a poorly timed collarbone injury in the summer. However, after winning the 10 km freestyle event at the Norwegian Cup opener in Gålå, he was selected for the skiathlon at the World Cup in Lillehammer. The following week, he led the Scandinavian Cup standings after the opening weekend in Lillehammer.

So, when Matz William Jenssen withdrew from the Tour de Ski on December 26, Moseby was ready as a substitute. He seized the opportunity with both hands. On Saturday’s opening stage, he placed 25th in the sprint. Then, on Sunday, he claimed his first World Cup podium.

Monday is a rest day in the Tour de Ski. On Tuesday, December 31, the tour resumes with a stage that should suit Håvard Moseby perfectly: a 20 km freestyle individual start.

Read More: Tour de Ski 2024/2025: Standings after Mass Start stage 2 in Toblach

FACTS Tour de Ski Season 2024/2025

• When: Saturday, December 28, 2024, to Sunday, January 5, 2025 
• Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
• Where: Toblach and Val Di Fiemme, Italy
• What: Tour de Ski, Italy

PROGRAM

Saturday, December 28, 2024: Sprint F – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:00 CET: Sprint Quali F, Women
• 12:36 CET: Sprint Quali F, Men
• 14:30 CET: Sprint Final F, Women
• 15:00 CET: Sprint Final F, Men

Sunday, December 29, 2024: 15km Mass Start C – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:30 CET: 15km Mass Start C, Women
• 14:45 CET: 15km Mass Start C, Men 

Tuesday, December 31, 2024: 20km Interval Start F – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:30 CET: 20km Interval Start F, Men
• 14:45 CET: 20km Interval Start F, Women

Wednesday, January 1, 2025: 15km Pursuit C – Toblach-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 10:30 CET: 15km Pursuit C, Men
• 12:30 CET: 15km Pursuit C, Women

Friday, January 3, 2025: Sprint C – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 12:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Men
• 12:15 CET: Sprint Quali C, Women
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Men
• 14:45 CET: Sprint Final C, Women

Saturday, January 4, 2025: 20km Skiathlon C/F – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 11:00 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Men
• 15:30 CET: 20km Skiathlon C/F, Women

Sunday, January 5, 2025: 10km Mass Start F – Final Climb – Val Di Fiemme-ITA (More information can be found HERE)

• 14:15 CET: 10km Mass Start F, Men
• 15:30 CET: 10km Mass Start F, Women

After the Tour de Ski (Italy), the World Cup heads to France (Les Rousses), Switzerland (Engadin), and Italy (Cogne) in January 2025.

Then, the World Cup heads to Sweden (Falun) in mid-February and Norway (Trondheim) for the World Championships at the end of February and beginning of March.

After the World Championships, the World Cup ends the season with weekends in Norway (Oslo), Estonia (Tallinn), and Finland (Lahti).

Read More: World Cup calendar for the 2024/2025 Winter Season 

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.