For a long time it looked like it would be a superior victory for Moa Ilar in Oberhof.
Then Austria's Teresa Stadlober started to close the gap and it was all going to be very dramatic. Stadlober finished at a strong pace and gained over ten seconds on Ilar, but it was still not enough. Ilar won by 0.7 seconds.
Nervous! I really thought she would take it. She came at such high speed. It's nice that the seconds ticked away, said Ilar in Viaplay's television broadcast.
Second overall
This gave Ilar her first victory - and sixth podium - in the World Cup this season. She also took the opportunity to close in on American Jessie Diggins, fourth today, who leads the overall World Cup. Moa Ilar is in second place. No Swedish women's skier has ever won the overall World Cup.
"To win in a classic style feels so good. I'm proving to myself that I'm taking steps and can win in a classic race. I wouldn't have thought that beforehand," said Ilar.
In total, Ilar now has ten individual podiums in the World Cup and three victories in her career.
“Surprisingly good”
Jonna Sundling also grabbed a podium finish, crossing the finish line in third place, 21 seconds behind Ilar. Sundling can sum up the World Cup weekend in Oberhof with a superior sprint victory and a fine third place.
Surprisingly good, though. Two great competitions. Two competitions that give me good results I can take with me in the future, said Sundling.
There was no end to the great results for the Swedes there.
Maja Dahlqvist came sixth, Moa Lundgren tenth, and Evelina Crüsell twelfth.
One World Cup weekend remains in Goms, Switzerland before it's time for the big highlight of the season, the Olympics in Milano-Cortina in February.
