Cross-country skiing: “I’m not sure what happened”, laments Ebba Andersson
The world cross-country skiing championships in Trondheim (Norway) drew to a close on Sunday with the women’s 50km skate. Ebba Andersson was in a position to challenge for victory against her compatriot Frida Karlsson and the Norwegians Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng, but fell with less than a kilometre to go. A scenario reminiscent of Martin Loewstroem Nyenget ‘s fall in the men’s race.
“I’m empty, especially emotionally. It’s not the end I wanted for this race. I don’t really know what happened,” Ebba Andersson toldEurosport with a blank look on her face.
Ebba Andersson looked to be in fine form on Sunday, and was aiming to claim a fourth title after her victories in the skiathlon, individual and relay events. After a perfect 49 kilometres, the 27-year-old cross-country skier saw her dreams dashed by a fall. The Swede tried to squeeze through a narrow gap to get ahead of Frida Karlsson, but ended up on the ground after hitting her compatriot’s skis.
“No, no, no, how sad,” exclaimed Viaplay‘s Swedish commentator Per Forsberg.
Ebba Andersson crossed the line in tears. Frida Karlsson tried to comfort her in the finish area, but to no avail. The native of Delsbo (Sweden) then sat for several minutes in the mixed zone. It was Jonna Sundling ‘s turn to try and console her, but to no avail. With her eyes still empty, it was her boyfriend Gustaf Berglund – eighth in the 50km skate yesterday– who came to her bedside.
“I understand her disappointment. She may be disappointed now, but her Worlds were absolutely fantastic,” Frida Karlsson told Viaplay and was quoted on Expressen.
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- Trondheim: beaten in the final, the French finish at the foot of the podium in the relay won by an untouchable Norway
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- “We wanted to cheer up the whole group”: Rémi Bourdin and Jules Lapierre feel the pinch after the relay at the Trondheim Worlds
