Swedish Skier Disappointed After Race: 'I Was Super Energized'

During the women’s 10 km free race in Cogne, Italy, Swedish cross-country skier Moa Lundgren, aged 26, struggled to perform despite feeling very energetic. "I was super energized, but my skis were stuck to the ground," she told SVT Sport, expressing her disappointment after finishing in 36th place.

The race, being the last competition of the weekend in Cogne, did not offer much challenge to the top competitors, as the American champion Jessie Diggins dominated the event. While Lundgren was visibly upset with her performance, teammate Maja Dahlqvist managed to secure a respectable tenth-place finish after winning Saturday’s sprint.

When asked if her teammate’s victory affected her performance, Dahlqvist replied that she was merely tired that morning and that it might have even been beneficial. On the podium, Norwegian Astrid Öyre Slind took second place and Finnish skier Kerttu Niskanen came in third. The international race is a precursor to an upcoming World Cup event and the forthcoming World Championships in Falun.

This article highlights the challenges faced by athletes in cross-country skiing and the unpredictable nature of race conditions, even when competitors feel physically ready to perform at their best.