Rosenberg won the mass start over 20 kilometers in classical style in Italian Schilpario, a race she dominated and then finished with a powerful sprint in one of the last uphill sections.
I'm extremely happy. I think I felt quite energetic throughout the entire race. Otherwise, I usually get tired after about half the distance, but now I was energetic when I checked my watch. It was really fun, she says to SVT.
The Swede increased her lead, shook off her competitors, and skied into the finish area with a clear lead.
Stressed out at the end
I thought I didn't want to push too hard. Then I thought I was far ahead quite often, but I felt energetic, so it went pretty well anyway, says Rosenberg.
Norwegian Eva Ingebrigtsen made an attempt to catch up, but was never really close to threatening Rosenberg.
I got a bit scared at the end, because I thought the others were getting closer. I got a bit stressed. Eva was fast downhill and in the curves. I was completely exhausted after the hill, but in the small final hill towards the finish, I got a good pace again, says the double gold medalist.
In the finish, Ingebrigtsen was distanced by 3.6 seconds. Canadian Liliane Gagnon took the bronze, 8.5 seconds behind Rosenberg.
"It's not impossible"
With one year to go until the Olympic Games in Italy, Märta Rosenberg sent a clear message that she wants to fight for a spot on the Swedish team.
It's not entirely impossible. I'll have to try to figure out how to break into the team, she says to SVT.
Elin Henriksson finished eleventh and Evelina Crusell thirteenth in today's race. On Saturday, Märta Rosenberg will get another medal chance. Then, she'll compete in the 10 km freestyle.
