Facts/The national team’s WC upload
Here, the Swedish WC riders complete their uploads before the WC in Planica:
Sollefteå: Ebba Andersson.
Toblach: Maja Dahlqvist, Johanna Hagström, Frida Karlsson, Linn Svahn, Calle Halfvarsson, Johan Häggström.
Livigno (high altitude): Jonna Sundling, Emma Ribom, Jens Burman, William Poromaa, Marcus Grate, Edvin Anger, Moa Ilar, Eric Rosjö.
Ebba Andersson made a brilliant comeback after her covid illness by, among other things, winning three straight distance races in the World Cup. After that, she surprisingly went home to her parents in Sollefteå, when the rest of the Swedish World Cup squad chose to locate their loading camps in Toblach and Livigno in Italy.
— I have good experiences from when I loaded on Hallstaberget (next to Sollefteå). I have had good results from it. Then there is another dimension in that, at home, I really get to work very closely with dad (Per-Ola Andersson), who is my coach, says Ebba Andersson.
Early decision
Already in connection with the evaluation of the WC in Seefeld 2019, Andersson decided to make his own championship upload outside the national team in the future. But before the World Cup in Oberstdorf 2020, the pandemic hit, which meant that all the World Cup riders were forced into the same bubble during the loading camp in Saxnäs. And before the Olympics in Beijing 2022, it was important to do the upload at a high altitude.
— Now that there was nothing to take into account, I really wanted to try this arrangement. In winter there is something very special here in Sollefteå, while it is safe to be in your home environment. I believe in this, says Ebba Andersson.
She emphasizes the importance of a good home environment with her parents. There, the food situation is an important example:
— I like to take a lot of responsibility when it comes to the food. Cooking with mom and dad and then sitting down with them and eating together means a lot.
“Everyone is different”
Per-Ola Andersson, father and trainer, confirms that an upload in a home environment is best for Ebba Andersson:
– We are all different. Some people think it’s great to be in Toblach or Livigno. Then they should be there. Ebba feels safe coming home here. She has done it so many times and knows what to do. It’s her choice.
An extra positive factor is the track patrol in Sollefteå, which every day is ready to stand up if she needs special track laying.
— There are two guys who are employed by the municipality. They do a great job, says Ebba Andersson.
Near the top of the form
Per-Ola Andersson has taken a leave of absence for three months from her regular job, as ski high school coach, to focus on her daughter. Among other things, he has made a special program in the last weeks before the World Cup that will create absolute top form for her:
— She trains well. It’s not about cutting back on training before the WC, says Per-Ola Andersson.
Ebba Andersson says that the training is now starting to give good results.
TT: How close are you to absolute top form?
— I feel that I am beginning to approach it now. The last few weeks it just felt better and better. The ambition is to get in the very best shape during the WC. We follow the plan we decided and it looks good, says Ebba Andersson, who likes to be the WC favorite:
— It is the season’s competitions that put me in that position. My level this season has pointed to that.