The season has been tough for Linn Svahn. The second place in the second sprint competition in the Tour de Ski on January 3 is a bright spot, but since then, the 25-year-old has not competed.
Her body required a long recovery after the tour and then she fell ill before the Swedish Championships in Borås last weekend.
"Fantastic"
When she finally returned – in the last competition before the World Championship in Trondheim – Svahn impressed with a convincing victory in the classic World Cup sprint in Falun. She won ahead of Nadine Fähndrich, Switzerland, and third-placed Kristine Stavås Skistad, Norway.
It was fantastic. It's always fun to compete here in Falun. I needed this before the highlight of the year, she says in the victory interview on Viaplay's broadcast.
Despite the tough start to the year, she seems to be taking the situation lightly.
It hasn't been completely overwhelming, it's been pretty good, says Svahn to Viaplay and continues:
I've probably felt that I've had some problems with recovery, especially this year. I haven't been as energetic as I usually feel during the competition season. It feels like I've been in the middle of a tough training period, which I maybe have been.
The World Cup weekend in Falun is the last before the World Championship in Trondheim, which takes place from February 26 to March 9. The World Championship sprint in freestyle will be decided there, and Svahn now feels that her form is on its way.
We've tried to have a bit of ice in our stomachs and push forward the January form I usually have, so it starts to come now, says Svahn.
Broken pole
Teammate Maja Dahlqvist seemed to be eliminated already in the quarterfinal of the classic World Cup sprint in Falun.
Early in the heat, a pole broke and she was forced to stop when she finally got a reserve pole. Via a super finish on the final climb, the 30-year-old could finish second and advance to the semifinal.
Dahlqvist – like Johanna Hagström – also made it to the final and finished fourth. Hagström finished last in sixth place.
November 28, Ruka: Out in the quarterfinal.
December 28, Toblach: Out in the quarterfinal.
January 3, Val di Fiemme: Second.
February 14, Falun: First.
