Ebba Andersson was challenged for a long time by her national team colleague Moa Ilar, but in the end it was still a clear and planned victory for last winter's World Cup queen (three golds). According to plan because Frida Karlsson, normally the main challenger, stood over the race.
Karlsson chose, just like Maja Dahlqvist, Jonna Sundling and Johanna Hagström, to save her energy for Sunday's freestyle race instead,
Andersson won Saturday's classic 10-kilometer race by a margin of 13.5 seconds ahead of Moa Ilar. Third place went to Swiss Nadine Fähndrich.
Superior Indicates
The men's side had an even clearer victory. After just over four of the ten kilometers, Edvin Anger led by over 15 seconds, with Vasaloppet winner Alvar Myhlback closest in pursuit.
They never got any closer.
Edvin Anger won the 10-kilometer race during the Swedish premiere in Gällivare by a wide margin, 39.5 seconds ahead of Leo Johansson who took second place with a 1.5 second margin to Alvar Myhlback.
More powerful engine
It was tough, but the body responded well. It was a good run yesterday and today it paid off well. It shows in the results list, Anger tells SVT.
I have a feeling that the engine I have this year is something different than last year. I am looking forward to going over to Finland and starting in the 10 classic on Friday.
Other potential top names have a little more to think about before next week's World Cup premiere in Ruka, Finland. Calle Halfvarsson was over a minute behind Anger, Jens Burman a minute and a half behind. Not even William Poromaa, World Cup silver medalist in the five-mile last winter, came close to challenging. Poromaa was 1.20 from victory.
