Ebba Andersson was overwhelmingly superior when she won the Olympic 50-kilometre race - the historic first on the women's side - and became Olympic champion for the first time.
The margin of victory to Norwegian Heidi Weng was 2 minutes 15 seconds. To Swiss bronze medalist Nadja Kälin it was 6 minutes 40 seconds.
The large time differences have caused both skiers and team leaders to react.
I think 30 kilometres is more than enough, and the distances are enormous out there, said Norwegian Karoline Simpson-Larsen to VG.
“Never been so tired”
Italian coach Markus Cramer went a step further, telling the newspaper that he had submitted a formal request to the International Ski Federation (FIS) to change the distance back to 30 kilometres.
The Swedish skiers have divided opinions about the 50-kilometre race as they gather in Falun for the restart of the World Cup.
I would prefer maybe 30 kilometres, but I still think that if that's what's on the program, then just go for it, says Johanna Hagström.
Apart from gold medalist Andersson, Emma Ribom was the only Swede to start in the Olympic final. She finished in tenth place, almost nine minutes behind the winner.
– It was incredibly tough. I've probably never been so tired in my entire life and I still feel like I'm a little worn out, she says and continues:
I also think in some ways that it's a cool challenge and there's no question that we can do it. But the question is what's best for the sport.
Byström surprised
The first championship race over 50 kilometres on the women's side was at the World Championships in Trondheim in 2025. Frida Karlsson won after a sprint against the Norwegians Heidi Weng and Therese Johaug.
National team manager Anders Byström believes in a 50-kilometre race.
"I was a little surprised that there was such criticism afterwards. But of course that's what happens when you have the facts on the table with results and see that there are huge gaps," he says.
He believes the result would have been the same.
I still believe that the right winner is chosen at the longest distance, regardless of whether it is over 50 kilometres or 30, says Byström.
The World Cup in Falun starts on Saturday with a sprint.
Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympics
1. Ebba Andersson, Sweden, 2:16:28.2
2. Heidi Weng, Norway, +2:15.3
3. Nadja Kälin, Switzerland, +6:41.5
World Championships in Trondheim 2025
1. Frida Karlsson, Sweden, 2:24:55.3
2. Heidi Weng, Norway, +2.1
3. Therese Johaug, Norway, +2.9.
