Skistad took her second World Cup victory of the season after also winning the sprint during the opening weekend in Ruka, Finland.
Now the Norwegian got a taste of the Tour de Ski by winning the first stage, the freestyle sprint in Toblach, Italy. Skistad was in control of the final from the start and never let go. When she entered the final straight in the lead, none of her opponents could threaten her.
"It was a tough final. This feels good, nice to be back at the top," says Kristine Stavås Skistad in the victory interview on Viaplay.
Hagström fell
Maja Dahlqvist ensured Sweden had a presence on the podium by finishing third. Dahlqvist had a fighting chance approaching the stadium, but could not catch up with Skistad and was also passed by the German Coletta Rydzek.
"The others skied well tactically. I still get a lot out of what I have today. Then there were two who were stronger," Dahlqvist tells Viaplay.
Johanna Hagström, the fastest of all in the qualifiers and the second Swede in the final, fell right at the start and had no chance in the fight for the podium. She ended up fifth.
"It was really disappointing. I didn't feel like that was what I needed in the final. I felt really strong today, so it was disappointing," says Hagström.
Tough for the Swedish stars
In the Tour standings, Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson lost ground to one of their main rivals right away. Both Andersson and Karlsson went out in qualifying and are already behind USA's Jessie Diggins, who came fourth.
"It was sad," Frida Karlsson told Aftonbladet after the qualifiers.
"It felt strange. The speed wasn't quite there. I went as fast as I could but it wasn't enough."
The second stage of the Tour de Ski, a 10-kilometer classic with individual start, will be decided on Monday. It will also be held in Toblach.
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