On the question of what grade Nilsson gives to her debut season in Ski Classics, the answer is obvious.
It has been incredible. I cannot say anything else now when I have won both Vasaloppet and Birkebeineren, it would only be wrong, she says at a digital press conference.
The former OS and VM gold medalist in traditional cross-country skiing has dominated the recent weeks' competitions in the long-distance cup with two straight first places.
She has really hit form at exactly the right time.
"Most luck"
Of course, I have some experience in how I find form for a specific competition. But now it was mostly luck since I was sick in January and couldn't train as much as I wanted. But I got healthy in time and could train continuously for a few weeks before Vasaloppet, and really hit it.
As a debutant in the long-distance cup, she has continuously developed and gathered experience around the technical bits, how she lays out the races strategically and how she takes in energy during the competition.
For me, who hasn't done this before, I get better and better for each race I can do. They become like training for me. So Vasaloppet made me stronger than before, I think.
"Can only hope"
Now, on Saturday, she gets the chance to take her third straight win when the long-distance cup continues in Norway with the competition Marcialonga Bodø.
Can you maintain form?
I usually don't know what form I have before the race, but I can only hope that it holds. But we'll see, says Stina Nilsson.
+ What is Ski Classics?
Ski Classics is a long-distance cup in cross-country skiing. The skiers compete in different teams, which means that one does not compete for one's country but for a team with several different nationalities.
There is a cup between the teams, but also a women's and men's cup. Maximum points for winning a competition are 500 points, with subsequent placings receiving points in descending order.
+ Total standings women's class:
- Anikken Gjerde Alnæs, Norway, 3,430 points, 2) Emilie Fleten, Norway, 3,319, 3) Jenny Larsson, Sweden, 2,765, 4) Stina Nilsson, Sweden, 2,730, 5) Silje Øyre Slind, Norway, 2,595.
+ Remaining competitions (11 out of 14 have been decided):
Marcialonga Bodø, March 22.
Reistadløpet, March 29.
Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja, March 30.
