Photo: Bildbyrån
Ebba Andersson has not had the start she wanted in the new season.
Now it is high time for the pre-favourite to wake up, otherwise it will be difficult for her to compete for the medals at the WC.
We expect more from Ebba.
This is a comment. The opinions are the writer’s own.
Before the new season, it felt like no one could beat Ebba Andersson27. She was tough and hungry for revenge after a weaker last year. She crushed all opposition in the Swedish premiere in Bruksvallarna. But then something happened.
Ebba Andersson’s tough start to the season
After the announcement that Frida Karlsson25, injured foot came it felt like a given. It was Ebba Andersson who would become Sweden’s great cross-country queen this year and the one who would snap Therese Johaug36, on the nose and make the Norwegian regret his comeback.
READ MORE: Ebba Andersson’s words about Norwegian rival Therese Johaug
During the World Cup’s premiere weekend in Ruka, Finland, however, there were several, including the undersigned, who got a real cold shower. Suddenly, Ebba came sixth in the classic 10-kilometer race – which Frida Karlsson also won by far, with 46 seconds to second Therese Johaug – and ninth in the 20 km freestyle. What was it that happened? Of course I wish Frida Karlsson all the luck and success, it was a wonderful achievement in itself, but at the same time we had hoped and believed that Ebba would take it home.
Hope to see the real Ebba Andersson
The tough premiere weekend was followed by a seventh place in the 10-kilometer freestyle race in Lillehammer, Norway. Then it was admittedly a little better in Sunday’s skiathlon, albeit a fourth place. Ebba has not been on the podium in the World Cup this year. It’s not a disaster in itself yet, but it risks becoming one. She had not expected such a fiasco start to the season. I don’t think she thought that the worst rivals Johaug and Karlsson would be this strong this early in the season. I think that Ebba misjudged her opposition a bit and now lost the spark. She was so sure that she would be fine.
It is already clear that Andersson is above the World Cup competitions in Davos next weekend. She had already revealed that at Bruksvallarna. Now just over two weeks of hard training await before the Tour de Ski, which she seems to be investing a lot in this year (unlike many competitors). I hope we get to see the real Ebba there at the turn of the year. She probably needs some time to herself so she can recharge her batteries. Perhaps most of all mentally. The body should be alert and fresh.
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson’s honest words about Kristine Stavå’s Skistad say it all
Advice to Ebba Andersson
Last season, Ebba came tenth in the overall World Cup. She won’t be happy with anything like that this year. The year before, she came in 20th place, but saved the season by taking two WC golds and two bronzes. It would take something similar now at the World Cup to make up for a lousy World Cup season. Let’s hope it doesn’t have to go that far this time.
The advice to Ebba now is to train, take some time for yourself and accept that the start of the season did not go as planned. Frida and Therese are damn dangerous, now you’ve witnessed it, so just give up and continue like you did in the last WC. Then comes the podium places in the World Cup and the medals this WC. You have it in you, Ebba.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed that Ebba Andersson finds her form again. Exercise on your own now for a few weeks and you should see the hunger return.
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