Ebba Andersson took three World Championship golds – including two individual ones – in Trondheim earlier this winter, and when the World Cup season ended last weekend, she set her sights on the long-distance cup.
The switch from traditional cross-country skiing ended on the best possible note.
It was fun to still manage to win. It was a tough fight against Astrid today, she was strong, says Andersson to SVT after her second career win in Reistadløpet (2022).
Prior to the event, it was – from a Swedish perspective – billed as a battle between Andersson and her former national team teammate Stina Nilsson, who has had great success in her first season in Ski Classics.
"Very strong"
Nilsson came to the start with three straight wins – Vasaloppet, Birkebeinerrennet, and Marcialonga Bodø – but she couldn't keep up when Andersson and Norwegian Astrid Øyre Slind, who is also a star in traditional cross-country skiing, broke away early in the 46-kilometer race.
After 13 kilometers of skiing – and a steep climb – the duo led by 2.37 minutes ahead of a chasing pack. The gap only grew and grew.
It was hard to shake off Astrid. She was very strong, but then I felt I had powers left at the end and also super good skis. Super good glide downhill and then I went for it, says Ebba Andersson.
In the end, the Swede was just under half a minute ahead of the Norwegian at the finish. Silje Øyre Slind – twin sister to Astrid – finished third. Stina Nilsson came in seventh, 7.20 minutes behind Andersson.
It's always a small scalp to win a skiing competition and we all know what level Ski Classics has held in recent years, says Andersson.
Nilsson: Special race
It was a special race. I thought it was really tough to get a grip on those skis. I didn't have much to do with this race, but I'll take the experience with me, says Stina Nilsson to SVT.
Norwegian Eirik Sverdrup Augdal won the men's class ahead of three countrymen. Axel Jutterström became the best Swedish skier in fifth place, 20.8 seconds behind the winner.
The long-distance cup concludes on Sunday with the season finale Bardufoss-Finnsnes in Norway. A race that covers six miles.
