Cross-Country Skiing: World Championship Verdict – Ebba Andersson Outclasses SM Gold Medalist

A few weeks remain until the World Championships in Trondheim, and Ebba Andersson has already delivered a powerful display of strength by winning the SM gold medal in a 20 km mass start race.

In the early part of the race, Moa Lundgren was able to keep pace with what turned out to be a top duo. However, after 6.4 kilometers, the gap had widened to 12 seconds in favor of Emma Ribom and Ebba Andersson. For approximately five kilometers thereafter, the two leading athletes were almost alone out on the track.

It was during this phase that Andersson, without showing any signs of strain, managed to build a gap of 20 seconds after 12.5 kilometers – a lead that eventually extended to nearly 34 seconds by the 15-kilometer mark. "I tried to maintain a high but controlled pace. I know the later part of the race will demand even more, so I worked hard not to overstep my limits," she explained to SVT Sport.

SVT expert Anders Blomquist noted that although it was a mass start, at the front it appeared almost like an individual start as Andersson surged ahead. Her competitors were unable to close the gap, and she finished the race 1 minute 11 seconds ahead of Emma Ribom and 2 minutes 58 seconds ahead of Moa Lundgren.

Expressing her confidence, Andersson stated, "I feel strong. I can tell Emma, at least, seems to be managing easily, so I hoped that my patience would pay off. I know she is strong, so precision was key."

This SM gold medal performance not only cements her status nationally but also sets a promising tone as she prepares for the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim.