Johaug wins – leads overall ahead of the final stage

Therese Johaug is now leading the Tour de Ski overall ahead of the final stage.

It was a quartet of skiers who broke away a bit into the classical mile – Johaug, Ebba Andersson, Austrian Teresa Stadlober, and Norwegian Astrid Øyre Slind.

Just after the ski change, Johaug broke away. She increased the distance to the others all the time. She eventually won with a half-minute lead over Stadlober, Slind, and Andersson.

Ebba Andersson lost a few meters to the other two at the end, but managed to almost catch up on the final stretch. She was a tenth of a second behind Stadlober and Slind.

It was a shame, I got a really good pace on the final stretch, but it was tough, it was so damn hard, and I didn't get the right pressure on the skis. So it was just a matter of continuing to push and then it's hard to take the finish line as well, says Andersson to Viaplay.

A bit up

Andersson had hoped to take her first podium of the season, but now missed the podium by a tenth. She says that the race is still approved.

The body responds fairly well, but not the 100 (percent) I needed to have.

Ebba Andersson started weakly in the Tour de Ski but has climbed in the last three stages and is now seventh, 4.12 minutes behind leading Johaug. Johaug has 22 seconds to spare over Slind and 1.47 minutes over third-placed Jessie Diggins, USA. Andersson has 2.25 minutes to make up to Diggins.

"Tough match against the hill"

Moa Ilar finished 14th and Linn Svahn 21st. Ilar is 12th overall, just under seven minutes behind, and Svahn is 16th, over eight minutes behind.

On Sunday, the Tour de Ski will be decided with the feared climb in the slalom hill Alpe Cermis.

It's really going to be something to bite into. It's always tough to take on Alpe Cermis, it's just a matter of preparing for a really tough match against the hill, says Andersson.

Johaug is a strong favorite to take her fourth overall victory in the Tour de Ski.