The competitions in Switzerland are the last before the Olympics in Italy next month. For Linn Svahn, it was therefore important for her to be back to get some competitions under her belt before it is time to seriously step into the Olympic bubble. The 26-year-old was indeed over the sprint relay on Friday - but the next day she was back on the ski trails.
How did it go?
Svahn dominated.
“Tough”
The Swede was fastest in the qualifiers, as well as in the quarterfinals, semifinals and final.
A lot of sprinting is about taking it step by step, doing well in qualifying, the quarters, the semis and then the final. I think I was present all day, so I'm happy with that, she tells Viaplay.
It's a little hard to know where you stand after not competing for so long, but it worked out well.
The starting field for the final was half filled with blue and yellow skaters. In addition to Svahn, Maja Dahlqvist and Emma Ribom - back from a cold and recovered in time - also raced for victory.
But it was still a race that belonged to Svahn, who won ahead of the closest chaser, Laura Gimmler of Germany. Dahlqvist was fourth and Ribom sixth.
Indicates third
Sweden is in Goms with a slightly thinner women's squad than usual. Stars Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson chose to forgo the competitions to hone their Olympic form.
And the Winter Games are also something that Linn Svahn is looking forward to.
"We have a strong team, so it was nice to have a good race. Now we will make the final preparations in the coming weeks," she says in the victory interview.
The men's sprint - where Calle Halfvarsson and Emil Danielsson were eliminated in the qualifiers - also offered Swedish success when Edvin Anger came third behind winner Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway and American Gus Schumacher.
It's good that the day is over... I couldn't handle another heat, I was so bad on the last climb and had to work hard in the final, but this is exactly what I needed. Getting to take heat by heat and go full speed, Anger tells Viaplay.
Nice to get one last good result before the Olympic Games.
On Sunday, the World Cup concludes in Switzerland with mass starts over 20 km.
