Photo: Bildbyrån
It is often said that the joy of injury is the only true joy.
After Therese Johaug’s setback in Sunday’s race, when she vomited before the race and missed the victory, Ebba Andersson was quite satisfied.
– It is gratifying for the rest of us that she distanced herself quite well during the beginning of the season. It feels like there is hope for us too, she says in the Expressen podcast “Vallaboden”.
To Therese Johaug36, would be good in his comeback after a two-year hiatus, few doubted. But not as many believed in advance that she would be able to step straight into the world elite and dominate as she has done so far. In her last seven races (including the Norwegian premiere in Beitostölen and the World Cup) she has three wins, two second places, a third place and a fourth place.
Ebba Andersson was shocked by Johaug
Having won both races in Lillehammer the previous weekend, many expected her to go in and completely crush the opposition in the classic style 20km race in Davos on Sunday. Especially given that her biggest Swedish competitors Frida Karlsson25, and Ebba Andersson27, was missing.
READ MORE: Therese Johaug’s call to Stina Nilsson after the premiere
However, that was not the case. Johaug was certainly in a very good position, but the air went completely out of her with a couple of kilometers to go. She ended up third and she actually threw up right before the finish line. She looked completely exhausted.
– My first thought was that she is human too. I would have thought she would take home that race pretty easily. It was at height, classic style, tough course and distance that usually suits Therese well. So yes, I was surprised, says Ebba Andersson, who watched the race at home on the TV sofa, in Expressen’s podcast “Vallaboden”.
Ebba Andersson’s great joy
It is clear that it may seem insincere, but one man’s death is another man’s bread. Of course it’s good for Ebba Andersson and the rest of the Swedes if things go a little worse for Therese Johaug. Ebba admits that she herself had the same thoughts when she sat at home and watched the race last Sunday.
– It is gratifying for the rest of us that she distanced herself quite well during the beginning of the season. It feels like there is hope for us too, she says.
READ MORE: Therese Johaug’s advice to Frida Karlsson: “Don’t need …”
After the setback in Davos, it is now clear that Johaug is changing her original plan and going on the Tour de Ski over the New Year, which she had not really intended. It comes as no surprise to Ebba, who now paints the Norwegian as the favorite to win the entire tour.
– Well, I probably knew that once she opened the door a little to competing, she will probably open it fully. So I wasn’t really surprised, to be honest, she says.
The Swedish squad for the Tour de Ski will be presented at 1 pm on Thursday.
Hello Sweden, hello Ebba! You need a little pep so that you lift yourself up and can give Therese a real challenge in the future. Hope the training break has been good for you so that you start to find your shape in time for the Tour de Ski and then for the WC in February-March.
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