Ebba Andersson had a tough duel with Therese Johaug in Falun's mass start in freestyle over 10 km. Johaug printed everything she had on the last slopes and got a small gap over the next last crest. When Andersson plowed in the last downhill, Johaug got the necessary yards. It was close to Johaug losing - but only close . Andersson came in second to the noisy crowd.
- It feels great that I felt as good as I did and that I had something to push with, says Andersson.
It was just drilling into Johaug's back and hanging on for as long as possible.
- For me, it was about biting your back, because Therese pressed the last lap. I tried to hold my back for as long as I could, but when she put in a gear on the last hill I didn't have what it required.
Johaug: "A difficult race to win"Johaug, normally superior, was a hunted quagmire and was extra pleased with the victory.
- I knew Ebba was strong, but I managed to get a gap on the last hill. This was a tough race to win, but I managed. It tastes very, very good, says a relieved Johaug to SVT Sport.
Andersson has returned to the top spot after the cold during the final weekend of the Tour de Ski a month ago.
- Ebba is a fantastic skier and was second here a year ago. That she hung with me all the way today I was not surprised, says Johaug, who does not care about people's expectations, a prerequisite for her success.
"The mold is starting to come"The form is rising for Andersson ahead of “Ski Tour 2020” in Sweden and Norway next week.
- The form is starting to come, and I look forward to what is to come with Ski Tour 2020 in the future. I'm happy with the body, the only thing I don't approve of is how I took the sprint curve. But I did not want to stand on my nose, says Andersson about the gentle curve, where some gentlemen fell over, which she feared.
Heidi Weng stunned and finished third, Astrid Uhrenholdt Jacobsen four and 18-year-old super talent Helene Marie Fossesholm finished fifth, a super result for her despite a fall. She has JVM in March as the big target of the season. Andersson cracked the Norwegian dominance with four riders among the top five.
Ebba Andersson: "Got tired at the end - I wasn't enough"
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