Ebba Andersson Dominates at SM: "I Got Crazy Time Gaps"

Ebba Andersson was in a class of her own at the Swedish Championships (SM) in Kalix. She triumphed in the 10 km classic race, finishing well ahead of second-place Jonna Sundling.

— "I got crazy time gaps and wondered if it could really be true," said Andersson.

As Andersson crossed the finish line almost unchallenged in the sunshine, she recorded a time that was a full minute faster than Calle Halfvarsson’s in the men’s class.

— "It felt like I was playing 'Don't Touch the Ground'. It was a very good race, and my skis were great. I followed the plan and didn’t rush it. I found the rhythm on how to push hard, and it was one of my better races of the season," Andersson told Expressen.

Initially, it was supposed to be a showdown between the two reigning champions who clinched three gold medals in Trondheim. However, it quickly became evident that it was Andersson's day and not Sundling's, who finished over two minutes behind.

— "It was kind of special, and it brought back flashbacks to the 50 km in Trondheim with wet, sugary, and tricky conditions where the tracks faded away, making it technically difficult. Ebba is amazing and was in a class of her own," Sundling commented.

Sundling had not competed since the 50 km at the World Championships nearly a month ago due to illness, while Andersson had been very active, securing two victories in Ski Classics the previous weekend.

See the results here.