Stina Nilsson Triumphs in Her Long-Distance Rollerski Debut

Stina Nilsson Triumphs in Her Long-Distance Rollerski Debut

Stina Nilsson has officially entered the world of long-distance skiing, and what a debut it was! Crossing the finish line after an intense 90 kilometers at the Klarälvsloppet, she claimed victory in her first competitive long-distance event.

"I got exactly what I wanted out there," Nilsson remarked, reflecting on her performance.

Earlier this spring, she made the bold decision to transition from biathlon to long-distance skiing, a shift that has demanded a rigorous training regimen.

"It hasn't been a walk in the park. I probably pushed myself a bit too hard at the start and felt pain all over my body because it's so new with the double poling," Nilsson shared with SVT Sport. Although she has abundant experience in skiing, the distances in this new sport go far beyond what she has tackled during her World Championship and Olympic gold medal triumphs.

Fierce Competition

In her debut at this challenging 90-kilometer race, Nilsson proved she was up for the task. Alongside Emilie Fleten, a standout in last year’s Ski Classics who consistently reached the podium, Nilsson set a swift pace right from the beginning of the race.

The showdown for first place culminated in a thrilling sprint finish between Nilsson and Fleten. Nilsson crossed the line first, clocking in at an impressive 3:56.03, just shy of two seconds ahead of Fleten. Last year’s champion, Jenny Larsson, secured third place, trailing Nilsson by eleven seconds.

"I had a great time today. It was really fun trying to read the tactical game, as it wasn't easy to maneuver with so many of us in the race," said Nilsson, reflecting on the challenges of the event.

Reflecting on a Successful Day

Familiar with the intricacies of sprinting, Nilsson felt at ease when it came down to her final push against Fleten in the closing stages of the race.

"I got exactly the way I wanted it. It felt great when there were fewer of us in the pack because it gets a bit hectic when it’s crowded," she explained. Laughing, she added, "I thought if I broke something, they wouldn't wait for me!"

With her first long-distance experience behind her, Nilsson is eagerly anticipating more training sessions before the winter season.

"This is a good confirmation of my development. It’s important to remember that this was roller skiing and a tactical race, but for me, it will be beneficial to carry this into the fall," Nilsson concluded, looking forward to what lies ahead.