It was an odd starting list that was presented on Saturday: Only two blue and yellow flags.
At home on the TV sofa, a crass Emma Ribom followed the sprint from Davos, where Jenny Solin and Johanna Hagström were the only Swedish skaters on the women's side.
- I really understand that it looks weird when a nation like Sweden fields two ladies.
But there are few who understand the background, that there are actually some problems behind and a challenging weekend to get girls up to altitude in Davos who were ready to run.
Emma Ribom has made her best ever start to the season with two straight wins in the sprint.
But after the win in Lillehammer, the 25-year-old fell ill.
Now she is on the road to recovery and plans to make a comeback in the Scandinavian Cup in Rovaniemi, Finland, January 6-8.
In order not to contract any new illness, Ribom will be extra careful in the future - and opts out of celebrating Christmas with the family at home in Kalix.
- Yes, I'm incredibly bored now.
Christmas is always a critical period.
I long to go home to my family very much, but I don't really know if I will dare to go home over Christmas.
It will probably be a bit of isolation for me here going forward, so we stay away from viruses and bacteria for a while.
No Christmas celebration?
- Yes, but I think we should organize something together here in Östersund.
We're a bunch of skiers who stay here at home, so we'll probably have some Christmas celebrations even though it might not be at the family's house this year.
When the Swedish cross-country team presented the first WC riders today, Emma Ribom's name was included.
Given her double victories, she was not particularly surprised, but given the period of illness, it was a relief.
- It means a lot to get an early notification.
It really gives room to put a long-term plan towards the WC and really prioritize what we want to do.
I was very happy when Stefan called and said I was selected, even though I probably knew it a little.