Half of the Swedish team charged at high altitude in Italy for the Tour de Ski while the rest chose to charge at low altitude and celebrate Christmas at home.
At the beginning of the tour, in Toblach, Italy, the riders have had separate accommodations at different altitudes. And that plan continues now that the skiers have changed country to Davos, Switzerland, 1500-1600 meters above sea level.
Driven down to the valley
"Those who are not acclimatised to the altitude have been driven down to the valley outside Davos. They live at a normal altitude where we hope they will have a better effect on their recovery," says Anders Byström.
"Ideally, you would have had everyone together to have that extreme team feeling. But it can still be solved. We toasted the new year on Facetime.
Byström believes that those who have prepared for altitude will have an advantage over many others in Davos.
"I think they benefit from the days they spent there over Christmas, which may not have been so fun socially, but important for the competition.
"Important to me"
Jonna Sundling, fourth overall, is one of those who charged at altitude.
"I'm not too worried now. For my own part, it's very important to charge at altitude beforehand to be able to do myself justice," she says.