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A year ago, Ebba Andersson was forced to throw in the towel just before the infamous climb.
When the Ski Tour begins on New Years Day, it is a difficult start to wait for a favorite.
– The challenges are mainly in sprinting that they are, so it is for me, says Andersson.
The last time Ebba Andersson was on the starting line at the World Cup, she finished with a podium on the mini tour in Ruka, Finland. It was the last weekend in November.
– You have had time to develop the desire to compete. It’s something extra to be able to start in a World Cup competition, says the Swedish ski star.
Waiting for the mountain
When Ebba Andersson made his first Ski Tour a year ago, it was also his first competitions after the knee injury that spoiled the start of the season. Despite that, the 23-year-old got involved and fought for the podium. Before the last stage, he was sixth and had 53 seconds to the podium.
But then the cold came.
– I remember how it was last year when I had to throw in the towel before the last stage and I couldn’t tie the bag, he says and continues:
– So it is with humility that I still realize that I have a good chance of being there and fighting.
Sprint problems
Along with Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson is one of the pre-favorites. In addition to staying healthy throughout the competition, Andersson sees sprinting as the biggest obstacles on the way to the top.
Photo: ERIK MÅRTENSSON / BILDBYRÅN
In sprinting, there are plenty of bonus seconds to collect.
– I have slightly better conditions to perform in distance races, but I like challenges and I will do my best to perform to the best of my ability in those races. On tour, it’s about getting to a lot of good individual races. It is not about a specific competition, but about being able to perform, recharge and perform again.
“Focus on each race”
During last year’s Tour de Ski, Ebba Andersson managed to get past the prologue in one of two sprint races. However, he was far behind in his quarterfinals.
When competitions kick off the new year with a freestyle sprint in the Swiss Val Müstair on New Year’s Day, Andersson hopes above all to get past the prologue.
– It is important to focus on each race, each day and what I have to do in order to get the best possible performance and results. Then it will generate a good final score.
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