The cross-country skiers' long-distance cup started on Saturday with a shorter race, 7 kilometers, with individual starts. This resulted in a tenth place for Stina Nilsson, who before the season switched from the biathlon national team to a new long-distance effort.
In Sunday's mass start over 36 kilometers – the "real" premiere – the former OS gold medalist in sprint showed that she can challenge the best directly.
I'm extremely pleased with the performance, says Nilsson, third in the end, to SVT.
"Took the risk and it paid off"
For a long time, it looked like she would have to settle for a place just outside the podium, but Nilsson distributed her forces wisely throughout the race and came out strong at the end.
Nilsson eventually caught up with Norwegian Silje Øyre Slind in third place and passed her.
You just have to decide, either to fall behind and try to decide in a sprint, or like me, to keep going and risk getting too tired. I took that risk today and it paid off all the way, says Nilsson.
At one point, she seemed to be able to threaten even second-place Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, but had to settle for third, still a brilliant start in her long-distance debut.
It was a Norwegian double at the top. Emilie Fleten was in a class of her own and won with over 30 seconds ahead of Alnæs.
Double Swedish on the men's podium
On the men's side, there were two Swedes on the podium. Emil Persson became second after a tight sprint against Norwegian Amund Riege.
Persson picked up the pace in the leading group the last two kilometers and had the grip going into the finish. But with the last pole strokes, Riege took over and snatched the victory.
For Emil Persson, it was still a big step forward after a tough last season.
I'm extremely pleased, I have to say. I didn't believe it before this weekend. But Amund was strong, I had cramps everywhere, so I'm happy with second place, says Persson to SVT.
It was also Swedish on third place, through Axel Jutterström.
