Ebba Andersson couldn't keep up with Therese Johaug. The Norwegian pulled away after almost half the race and at the finish line, she was 42.6 seconds ahead of the next closest competitor.
The Swede instead had to focus on grabbing one of the other two podium spots – but not even that went her way.
The 27-year-old couldn't keep up with Heidi Weng, Norway, or Jessie Diggins, USA, and finished fourth. As a result, she remains without a top-three finish at the start of the World Cup.
There's not much I can do about those who were stronger in the end. But now I can take a Christmas break with some hope of being up there, says Andersson, who was 47.1 seconds behind Johaug, to Viaplay.
After the season's competitions in Ruka and Lillehammer, her results stand at: 6–9–7–4.
There's been more to wish for in terms of results, but there have been explanations for that.
Jonna Sundling, who won Saturday's sprint, finished sixth and was 1.36 behind Johaug.
I tried to hang on as long as I could and still gave it my all, says she to Viaplay.
Ebba Andersson is now skipping the World Cup in Swiss Davos, December 13-15, and is setting her sights on the Tour de Ski, which begins on December 28.
