PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden won the relay this weekend by far.
Afterwards, both Ebba Andersson and Linn Svahn directed clear criticism.
Now the rival USA is hitting back against the Swedes’ harsh words.
The Swedish women’s national team outclassed all competitors during this weekend’s relay at the World Cup in Oberhof, Germany. The ladies in blue and yellow were a full 17.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Germany, while arch-rival Norway faced a monumental fiasco and was far behind.
Swedish criticism
Remarkably, only nine relay teams made it to the starting line after several nations opted out of the competition, with both Sweden and Germany having two teams each. Above all, the USA was missing with the Tour de Ski winner and World Cup leader Jessie Diggins at the head.
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After the finish both aired Ebba Andersson and Lynn Svahn his great disappointment and directed harsh criticism at the American team, which never appeared.
– It is a shame, first of all, that nations that are present do not have teams to start with. We can boast that we even have two. I think they could have rested tomorrow instead, Ebba told SVT.
– I think the relay is one of the best things you can ride when you are driving for each other and it should be at least as important as points here or there, said Linn.
The US strikes back
Now the US has responded to the criticism and explains the reason behind the defection.
– I am also sorry that we did not have a team, but the relay podium is not so important that we are willing to risk the athletes’ health, says the national team coach Matt Withcomb to the Norwegian newspaper VG.
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The US national ski team suffered from some illness in the squad during the Tour de Ski and therefore wanted to rest their skiers to cope with the rest of the World Cup season.
– In Oberhof, we hadn’t recovered yet. It’s okay to be critical of us, but people need to understand why we’re not running full speed, says Withcomb in the interview.
Surely Ebba and Linn are right in their criticism of the USA? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Linn Svahn’s perfect pass to Frida Karlsson after the great success this weekend – the bitter words of the teammate
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