The conditions for the mixed relay in ski mountaineering in Solitude, USA, were crystal clear.
If Sweden were to secure an Olympic ticket to Milan/Cortina, the duo Tove Alexandersson and Jerker Lysell needed to keep Poland behind in the A final.
It didn't work out.
Poland sprinted in sixth – just under half a minute ahead of Sweden, who had to settle for eighth place.
Alexandersson clearly showed how much she valued that Olympic chance. She opened at a furious pace, took a small lead and put early pressure on the rest of the field.
But on the following lap, Poland caught up, and from there the Swedes lost ground step by step. The gap could never be closed, and in the end it was clear: Poland would take the Olympic spot, Sweden would lose out.
The USA took home the victory.
