Already during Saturday’s race over 20 kilometers classically, Moa showed in fine form when she finished seventh.
But when it was 10 kilometers of freestyle, the Swede went on knock. The 27-year-old opened strongly and never turned off on the beat.
After half the race, she was 16.7 seconds ahead of the Norwegian sovereign Therese Johaug who was then six. Ilar continued to press and was like a rocket in the track as she crossed the finish line 17.8 seconds ahead of Johaug. Once there, she was hugged by the cheering teammates Emma Ribom and Maja Dahlqvist.
But it became a second drama. Heidi Weng pressed towards the end, in goal she was 1.6 seconds after Swedish.
The victory is 27-year-old Ilar’s second in his career. The last time she won was in Ruka 475 days ago, November 26, 2023.
– Fy! It was nervous towards the end. But I was offensive today and I have missed it earlier in the season – to dare to invest in it, she tells SVT Sport.
She continues:
– A lot of flaps today. So it is very nice to stand at the top of the pallet again. It has been a very long time.
Ebba Andersson, who was washed yesterday, finished in fourth place. Therese Johaug finished fifth.