PHOTO: Bildbyrån
This weekend there will be a battle between Linn Svahn and American Jessie Diggins for the overall World Cup victory.
Linn Svahn can count on the full support of her Swedish teammates:
– If it comes down to it, I would absolutely choose the team before me, says Ebba Andersson, and is supported by several Swedish skaters.
The upcoming World Cup final in Falun can be dramatic. Jessie Diggins leads by 102 points ahead Lynn Svahn.
There are 345 points left to compete for.
– My big goal was to be able to fight for this total. It feels great that I am there now. But if I’m going to have any chance, it’s important to take race after race and make achievements along the way, says Linn Svahn.
Help Svahn
It could be a hunt for Jessie Diggins where Linn Svahn can get an unusual amount of help from her teammates – in all three races that remain.
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Maja Dahlqvistwho last year got help from his teammate Moa Ilar to win the sprint cup, tells how the team can act for Linn Svahn:
– In connection with the sprint competition, we can choose final heats which mean that so many others, except us Swedes, are eliminated. In this way, we can make room for Linn (Svahn).
Dahlqvist then mentions a tactic in connection with Sunday’s mass start, if Linn Svahn has a chance to pick up the last points:
– If the conditions are right and Linn (Svahn) is strong, the team has different qualities that can help her. Some of us can be out front pulling hard and others can slow down. But it shouldn’t be an unfair game.
Frida and Ebba
Frida Karlsson are on the same line:
– We can use the team to help Linn (Svahn). Obviously, we’ve already discussed that. Already in connection with the sprint competition, there could be a good difference and many riders between her and Jessie Diggins, if the stars are right. We Swedes have twelve riders to start.
Can you imagine braking and letting go of Linn Svahn at the mass start?
– Yes, it can be relevant, but Linn (Svahn) is not the type to go solo. But it can be like that before a sprint, Frida Karlsson answers.
Ebba Andersson tells us that the Swedish team has already helped each other several times this winter.
– If it comes down to it now, I would absolutely choose the team before me, says Andersson, who himself will, however, forego Friday’s sprint due to feelings in a knee.
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Linn Svahn does not have many thoughts about team driving, but is mostly focused on her own performance:
– I think we take it one day at a time. Everyone here wants to go fast. It is still the World Cup and there are competitions for three days, she says.
The duel in Falun:
Jessie Diggins leads with 102 points. In Falun there are still 345 points to compete for. The weekend contains three competitions that give points in several different stages.
Friday March 15: Sprint (Qualifying at 12:15 p.m. Final at 2:15 p.m.).
Qualifier: A victory means 15 extra points and the other nine best riders get points according to a descending scale.
The finals give the winner 100 points, the runner-up 95 points, the third 90, the fourth 85 and so on. The top 50 get points.
READ MORE: Emma Ribom now breaks the silence about the tough times and admits what she has been through: “If I’m being honest”
Saturday 16 March: 10 kilometers, individual start (at 11.00).
The competition is in classic style. The winner gets 100 points and then there is a descending scale like in the sprint.
Sunday March 17: 20 kilometer mass start (at 11.00).
The competition is freestyle. The winner gets 100 points and then a descending scale takes place. In addition, there are two sprint prizes that give 15 points to the winner on each occasion.
How do you think Linn Svahn is doing this weekend? Share the article and have your say!
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