Ebba Andersson had just finished on the podium in Lillehammer’s 20 kilometer race.
The next day, she tested positive for covid-19.
She wasn’t prepared for that.
– I could hardly believe my eyes, she says.
Frida Karlsson has received a lot of attention during the winter, especially after winning the Tour de Ski, as the first Swede since Charlotte Kalla. But during the autumn, Ebba Andersson was also responsible for several fine performances, and she was in great shape during Lillehammer’s World Cup competitions.
Revealing the great shock
During Sunday’s competitions at the beginning of December, she came third in the mass start over 20 kilometers, and her form seemed to be on the rise before the WC. But the following Monday, everything changed. Just the day after the success in Norway, Andersson tested positive for covid-19. And she still hasn’t competed since.
For Ebba Andersson, the positive test came as a bit of a shock.
– At first I could hardly believe my eyes. Did I really see two lines? There were clear lines, which was so strange. One day I’m on the podium after a World Cup race and the next day I’m on my way home with symptoms of corona, says Andersson to TT.
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Finally a comeback
Ebba Andersson had then taken three individual podium places in four competitions, and was at the top of the overall World Cup. But it was also what calmed her in the otherwise strange situation.
– Maybe that’s why I was able to keep some form of calm. I knew I had performed at a high level. I knew the shape had been there. Hopefully it wouldn’t be too hard to get you back, she says.
Ebba Andersson makes a comeback in this weekend’s competitions in the Skandinavisak Cup in Falun. The competitions begin with a 10 kilometer freestyle on Friday.
– There are several sessions where I got good training. Therefore, I feel some form of security ahead of the competitions that await this weekend. Then you get to see how the body responds in a competitive situation. Then there is still a few percent more involved, says Andersson.
Skiing WC in Planica begins on February 22.
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