Before the premiere: "Frida Karlsson and Ebba Andersson stand out"

A couple of weeks ago, Therese Johaug went out and said that she believes that Frida Karlsson will win the minituour in Ruka, which is the world cup premiere.

The Norwegian also mentioned Ebba Andersson as a threat ahead of the season.

On Friday, the Swedish season begins with a 10 km classic in Bruksvallarna, which is also a selection for the World Cup in Ruka the following week.

In the pre-season, there has been a lot of talk about

- Yes, but I think so.

We have a strong women's team and we have seen that Emma Ribom and Linn Svahn have been very strong during the year.

There are many who have been good even if Ebba and Frida stand out with the world cup routine they have even though they are still young.

They are the ones who have the biggest chances on paper, says national team manager Anders Byström.

Linn Svahn as finisher in relay: "Exciting thought"

Do you think Linn Svahn can claim 10 km?

- I do not want to put that pressure on her.

She invests primarily in sprint and that is her big goal this year, but she has really developed the capacity as well.

One should not ignore that she can perform on a ten kilometer as well.

Johanna Ojala sees the possibility of letting Linn Svahn take a final stretch in a relay over 4x5 km, where the WC in Obertsdorf is the highlight. "She is cruelly tactical".

What do you think about that?

- It's an exciting thought.

We have not reached a relay team so far but she has a sharp finish.

It may be absolutely conceivable, Johanna knows what she's talking about, so it can certainly go.

Bruksvallarna has pulled out saved snow and hopes to get help from the forces of nature with real snow just in time for the premiere.

The national team has had time to get acquainted with the courses.

"Calle looked alert the other day"

- It looks good, we have been in Bruksvallarna for over a week and prepared.

Now we go into competition mode.

Calle Halfvarsson was absent throughout October due to illness.

What does his status look like?

- Calle is very easy to train and trains quickly and has a high quality.

I'm not worried there, even though he needs a little more basic training during the season, but he looked alert the other day when he did a physio session.

It is clear that the disease was unfortunate but better that he got it then than in the middle of the season.

I am sure that he can do good races, both in Bruksvallarna and Ruka, says Byström.