When Jonna Sundling set out on the final leg, she had a tough task ahead of her.
7.5 kilometers of skiing – and 37.2 seconds to catch up with Norway's Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs.
But in that situation, Jonna Sundling – in the form of her life? – put on a powerful display that brought to mind Charlotte Kalla's classic relay finish in the Olympic Games in Sochi eleven years ago.
I tried not to go out too hard. But it got pretty hard. I was surprised that I picked up so much so quickly, says Sundling.
After just over three minutes of skiing in the hills up from the Granåsen ski stadium, Sundling had picked up 22 seconds on the Norwegian.
Her teammates in the finish area looked on in shock, and Ebba Andersson literally spat out her drink.
You would have done the same, says Andersson.
I was almost going into shock.
Frida Karlsson can only agree:
It was really sickly strong. She opened like a cannonball.
Sprinted to gold
The double Swedish World Championship gold medalist didn't let up on the pace after the furious opening. Already before halfway through the leg, Sundling was on the heels of Fosnæs.
In that situation, everything spoke in favor of Sweden and super sprinter Sundling. The Swede was first into the final stretch, with the Norwegian hot on her heels. And Sundling managed to hold off.
Everyone poured praise on Jonna Sundling afterwards, who seemed like the calmest of them all when she talked about her feat.
In the finish area, the gold heroine was hugged by triumphant teammates.
We've worked hard for this and had strong teams on paper before. Many times we've been set as favorites but then haven't delivered. That's why it feels really cool that we as a team get to do it, says Sundling.
The Swedish women have taken all five gold medals in this World Championship, ahead of Sunday's concluding 30km.
And Sundling is approaching Gunde Svan as the most successful blue-and-yellow World Championship skier, with a total of seven gold medals throughout her career.
Ribom fell behind
The fact that Jonna Sundling had to chase was largely due to what happened on the first leg.
Norway's Heidi Weng made sure the field split up immediately, and Sweden's Emma Ribom had a tough time behind.
At the first exchange, Norway led ahead of Germany and the Czech Republic. Ribom exchanged as fourth – 35.9 seconds behind.
On the second leg, Frida Karlsson brought Sweden up to second place, but Astrid Øyre Slind also put in a strong leg, and after half the relay, 30 seconds still separated them.
The third leg offered a giant meeting before a fanatic home crowd. Therese Johaug against Ebba Andersson – and it was the Norwegian who skied the fastest.
At the final exchange, 37.2 seconds separated them.
A distance that didn't prevent Jonna Sundling from writing a piece of Swedish skiing history.
Gold - Jonna Sundling, sprint
Gold - Ebba Andersson, skiathlon
Gold - Ebba Andersson, 10 km classical
Gold - Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist, team sprint
Gold - Emma Ribom, Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson and Jonna Sundling, women's relay
Bronze - Jonna Sundling, skiathlon
Bronze - Frida Karlsson, 10 km classical
Bronze - Edvin Anger and Oskar Svensson, team sprint
Bronze - Truls Gisselman, William Poromaa, Jens Burman and Edvin Anger, men's relay
