PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Finally, it was time for the World Cup.
Then Emma Ribom won – despite a chaotic day for the Swedish riders.
– Emma looks incredibly strong and rides incredibly powerfully, says Anna-Karin Strömstedt in the Viaplay broadcast.
On Friday, it was time to kick off the ski season properly, with the World Cup premiere in Ruka. The first competition of the year was sprint in classic style, and it was a messy premiere for several Swedes.
Tough Swedish day
It all started with the usually skilled sprinter Maja Dahlqvist went out already in the qualifier(!). The defeat comes after a tough pre-season for the 29-year-old, where she emptied herself completely in training. Dahlqvist was therefore unable to get out properly during the autumn until the Swedish premiere in Gällivare.
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The next Swedish unlucky bird was Marcus Grate. The 26-year-old started by winning the prologue in impressive fashion. But in the quarterfinals, a leading Grate crossed his skis and fell. He thus finished last in the quarter-finals.
No Swede on the men’s side progressed to the semi-finals, and Calle Halfvarsson and William Poromaa didn’t even make it past the qualifiers.
Ribom winner!
The light in the darkness were the four skaters who made it to the final on the women’s side – Jonna Sundling, Emma Ribom, Frida Karlsson and Lynn Svahn.
– We are a strong team so it feels very cool to be part of it, says Ribom.
Sundling and Ribom were impressive in the semi-finals and came first and second in superior style. It was also the two that were between in the final sprint in the final.
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After a thunderous race, Emma Ribom was finally able to stand as the winner, after an even race between her and Sundling.
– It has been a good day, I have felt strong all day. It’s so much fun to be back here in Ruka, so it feels great, says Ribom, who also won the sprint in Ruka last year.
Third was the Norwegian Kristine Stavås Ski Citywho was the only Norwegian to reach the semi-finals.
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson’s new difficult realization before the season – now changes the plan completely: “Can’t close my eyes to it”
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