Jonna Sundling is a sprint star, but on Sunday, the 30-year-old showed once again that she can also pick up podium places in distance races.
It was clear early on that the Norwegians Astrid Øyre Slind and Nora Sanness would be fighting for victory, but Sundling hung in well in a group of four skiers behind and skied tactically.
"Tough finish"
When it was time for the final sprint, Sundling outsped Norwegian Anne Kjersti Kalvå and American Jessie Diggins to secure third place in the 20-kilometer mass start in freestyle.
It was a tough finish here at the stadium. I just tried to ski calmly and big. It felt like I found a good pace, says Sundling to Viaplay.
Before the official result was announced, the competition jury met to discuss an incident involving Sundling, but she only received a warning for disturbing a competitor in the track during the race.
The gap to winner Øyre Slind was 20 seconds. She won the race by just over three seconds ahead of Sanness.
Sundling was also second in the 20-kilometer mass start – also in freestyle – in the World Cup premiere in Finnish Ruka in December.
Moa Ilar was the next best Swedish skier, finishing ninth, 48 seconds behind the winner. Emma Ribom was the third-best Swedish skier, finishing eleventh.
I'm both happy and disappointed. I think I had a pretty good day, but didn't quite get it all out and had to fight for it, says Ilar to Viaplay.
"Tricky situation"
The Swedish men couldn't challenge in the mass start earlier in the day due to a waxing mistake.
It's really a tricky situation, sitting and knowing that the guys didn't have the best under their feet, but we girls said before the start that we work with what we have for the day and do the best of it. Emma (Ribom) yelled to me after maybe a kilometer and a half: "We have really good skis", says Moa Ilar.
Other Swedish stars like Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson, and Linn Svahn opted out of the competitions in Switzerland this weekend.
The World Cup continues now with competitions in Italian Cogne (January 31-February 2) and in Falun (February 14-16) before the World Championship in Trondheim awaits on February 26-March 9.
