After winning Saturday's Reistadløpet, Ebba Andersson struck again with a new victory when she took home the season finale of Ski Classics in Norway.
The Swede won the 60-kilometer long race between Bardufoss and Finnsnes ahead of Stina Nilsson.
Andersson – who earlier this winter took three World Championship golds in traditional cross-country skiing – made the decisive move in the final hill.
"Incredibly big"
She listened to her teammate Anniken Gjerde Alnäs, who was fighting for the overall victory with her compatriot Emilie Fleten.
When we entered the hill, I got some directions from Anniken, as long as you keep ahead of Emilie, it's just go for it, says Andersson to SVT and continues:
I thought I would keep a pace that I felt I mastered. I knew the hill was long, but I didn't know it would be that long.
It was enough for victory. Even though Stina Nilsson picked up around a minute in the final downhill, she was ten seconds behind Andersson at the finish.
Emilie Fleten became third, but Anniken Gjerde Alnäs took home the overall victory via her fourth place.
Incredibly big, especially when you think about the journey she's been on this season. Then it's even more impressive. I myself know how it is to go through a knee rehabilitation, says Ebba Andersson.
Gjerde Alnäs seriously injured her knee after being hit by a car during a roller skiing session last summer.
I thought my career was over. That it would become like this, I never dreamed of, says the Norwegian to NRK.
"Crazy year"
She was emotional when interviewed.
This means everything. It's been a crazy year after the injury, says Anniken Gjerde Alnäs.
Stina Nilsson finishes third in the overall standings after the two Norwegians. This during her debut season in Ski Classics, which included victories in Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet, and Marcialonga Bodø
I'm super happy. These last competitions I'll really take with me in my baggage for next season. The barrier I broke on Vasaloppet is completely incredible for me, says Stina Nilsson.
For Ebba Andersson, it was her fourth guest appearance in the long-distance cup. She has won all the races she has entered – three at the highest pro level and one competition at the challenger level.
