Photo: Bildbyrån
It has been slow for the Swedish ladies in the Tour de Ski.
Ebba Andersson and Linn Svahn have both had a hard time initially.
– It’s not a good start, notes SVT expert Anders Blomquist.
The disadvantage of being tipped as a favorite and hyped up before a championship or a competition is that it becomes extra difficult if things go badly. The Swedish cross-country skiers Ebba Andersson27, and Lynn Svahn25, has not had a good start at the Tour de Ski. Despite being the best of the Swedes (7th and 9th respectively in the overall standings), they have not performed as expected.
Blomquist’s words about Ebba and Linn
After the sprint and the classic 15-kilometer race, the optimism surrounding the Swedes’ possible chances of victory has been crushed. Also SVT’s length expert Anders Blomquist believe that the race is over for Sweden.
– To talk about a flop after two out of seven races, of which the most important ones remain, is a bit early, I think. But I certainly would have liked a better start from the Swedish ladies. I thought a lot in advance that Ebba would come in in good shape. Now she hasn’t really got any hits, it’s not a flop but it’s not a good start, he says in SVT and continues:
READ MORE: The words of the Norwegian press about Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson
– As it is for Linn Svahn. She has had two good practices for her part. I thought she would be very strong in the two and get herself a great position. If she is to fight for a position high up on the podium in the Tour de Ski, I think she would have needed a better start than she got.
Blomquist believes in Ebba Andersson
As many as five out of seven stages remain of the Tour de Ski, but the feeling is that many skiers, Swedes and non-Swedes, will break the tour. Since the WC is in a little more than two months, many have chosen to recharge in alternative ways this season. Ebba Andersson, on the other hand, is said to continue as far as possible.
– I think that in the end Ebba Andersson will be the Swede who will place best, and she has good exercises for her. It’s an individual start next time now. It suits her perfectly. If she is in good shape, she can take a lot of time there, but there are such strong skaters who are quite far ahead already. So for it to last all the way up, it feels tough. But I think that Ebba Andersson will be the best Swede when it comes down to it, says Anders Blomquist.
READ MORE: Kristine Stavås Skistad and Linn Svahn are sawn in Norway
During Tuesday, December 31, i.e. during New Year’s Eve, the third stage of the Tour de Ski starts. It is about 20 km freestyle with an interval start. The ladies start at 11.30 a.m. while the men start at 2.45 p.m. On the men’s front lies Edwin Anger in fourth place in the overall standings after two days of competition.
We wish Ebba, Linn and the other Swedes the best of luck for the third stage of the Tour de Ski. Of course, you will be sitting on the bench during New Year’s Eve. Hey hey!
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