Blomquist Hails Stina Nilsson's Long-Distance Debut, Draws Northug Parallel

Anders Blomquist has expressed his admiration for Stina Nilsson's impressive entry into the world of long-distance skiing, likening her talents to those of the legendary Petter Northug. He confidently stated, "Yes, it's a very good comparison. They share many characteristics."

Grinding through her long-distance debut at the 90-kilometer Klarälvsloppet, Nilsson clinched victory, showcasing her keen racing intellect and tactical finesse. Blomquist noted that she adeptly leveraged her strengths, making her performance all the more remarkable.

Facing Greater Challenges Ahead

As the winter season approaches, Blomquist is excited to see what this former sprint champion and biathlete will accomplish when transitioning from roller skis to snow skis. "There's a difference between skiing on roller skis in September and skiing during the competitive season," he pointed out. "The races will be tougher, with increased friction and steeper climbs."

He did caution, however, about the significant challenges Nilsson will face on snow, particularly the intense pressures of winter competitions. Yet, he noted her impressive ability to keep pace with long-distance standout Emilie Fleten throughout the grueling race.

"Racing for two hours is one thing, but maintaining that pace for longer can be a different story altogether. She proved that she can adapt well to increases in speed," Blomquist concluded, praising her commendable skating technique.