After, among other things, Olympic Games and World Championship gold medals in traditional cross-country skiing, Stina Nilsson switched to biathlon in 2020, where the major successes were lacking.
Before this winter, the 31-year-old instead focused on the long-distance cup. The season has been characterized by learning and seeing in her new discipline, but in early March, Nilsson struck with a victory in Vasaloppet as a debutant in the ski classic.
"I'm in a very good phase"
Now she can check off a victory also in Norway's classic long-distance race, Birkebeinerrennet.
Right now, I'm in a very good phase. I think it's super fun, says Nilsson in the victory interview on SVT's broadcast.
It looked like it would be a battle between the home athlete Emilie Fleten and Stina Nilsson in the 54-kilometer long race. When there were around 14 kilometers left, the duo was around 25 seconds ahead of the next competitor, but when there was just over a mile left, Nilsson pulled away from Fleten.
Sometimes this year, I've regretted not having pushed when I've felt energetic, because you don't know how long you'll feel energetic, says Nilsson.
A decisive pull. Nilsson could calmly and securely stride towards her second straight victory in the 31-year-old's first Ski Classics season. The Swede was 36 seconds ahead of Norwegian Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, who caught up with compatriot Fleten on the final stretch.
It was a fantastically good day. Super body and super skis, says Nilsson.
Up on the mountain, there was a lot of tactics, but also a battle against external factors.
There was a lot of headwind. I was freezing terribly, says Stina Nilsson with a smile.
Pushed
Max Novak was in the battle for victory in the men's race, but on the final stretch, the Swede tangled with Norwegian Ole Jørgen Bruvoll and didn't get the chance to sprint for first place.
Instead, Axel Jutterström was the best Swedish athlete on a fifth place. Novak came in seventh, but was later disqualified for pushing Bruvoll after the finish, reports SVT.
They think it was unsportsmanlike and maybe it didn't have to happen, but I wanted them to see the first situation, says Novak to the TV channel.
According to the Swede, the jury hadn't seen what happened in the track before the finish. His team is considering appealing the disqualification.
Andreas Nygård won the home race for the fifth time in his career. Vasaloppet winner Alvar Myhlback, 18, finished in 14th place.
