Ida Dahl has trained well in October after having some illness problems with covid during August and September. The 27-year-old is in a good phase without knowing exactly where she stands.
Dahl's season debut will take place in Gällivare, which has its Swedish premiere on November 17-19 for skiers who focus on traditional skiing. There will also be a selection competition for the World Cup premiere in Ruka, Finland, November 24-26.
If Dahl gets a good result, she will accept an invitation to Finland, but she doesn't think the chances are that great.
"If I'm selected, I'll definitely go. It doesn't interfere with my preparation for the Ski Classics premiere in Bad Gastein (December 9th) but I think it will take a lot more to be able to ski. I'm not going to say no," Dahl smiles.
The 27-year-old already competed in the World Cup last season in Davos as well as the Tour de Ski.
"Vasaloppet is the big goal"
However, she has a clear focus on the long-distance races and Ski Classics with two clear goals for the season.
"When it comes to individual competition, Vasaloppet will be the big goal and then I want to try to defend the title of reigning world champion in the Endurance Cup. There are two clear goals," says Dahl, who, if forced to choose, will take a victory in Vasaloppet ahead of the overall in Ski Classics.
"I won the overall last season. Of course I'd like to win both, but if I had to choose, I'd take Vasaloppet this season.
It's Vasaloppet and the long-awaited finish that looms.
"It would mean a lot and you just have to do what you can and of course you want to win at home as well," says Dahl at the thought of a hit in Mora on the first Sunday in March.
SVT broadcasts the Swedish premiere in Gällivare on 17-19 November. SVT also broadcasts Ski Classics, which premieres in Bad Gastein on December 9.