Ebba Andersson, the celebrated Swedish cross-country skier, has had quite the emotional roller coaster when it Comes to the Tour de Ski competition. Over the years, she has faced both triumph and despair, particularly marked by her experiences from the 2020 and 2024 Tours.
On January 5, 2020, during her debut Tour de Ski, Andersson was on track for success, merely 53 seconds shy of the podium before she had to suddenly withdraw due to illness. "It felt like falling just before the finish line. I felt helpless," Andersson later reflected on the poignant moment when she received the news from the national team, stating she would not compete due to sickness. The experience left her disappointed but it was just the beginning of her challenges.
Fast forward to January 2, 2024, as Andersson found herself at another crossroads. Following her recovery from COVID-19, Andersson, alongside her boyfriend Gustaf Berglund, attempted to regain her footing with casual training runs around the ski trails of Davos. Despite her intentions, the results from the earlier stages of the Tour were mediocre, bringing doubts about whether it was wise to continue competing.
Hours later, standing on the brink of yet another pivotal decision, Andersson faced the media outside the Hotel Ameron where the national team was based. "The COVID disease complicates things. It hasn't been catastrophic, but I'm afraid of the consequences of continuing," she explained, as she chose to withdraw from the event. Her packed suitcase symbolized both the weight of her decision and the uncertainty of her future. Reflecting on this moment, Andersson stated, "It became quite tough for me to handle mentally. It was something entirely new, the experience of consciously choosing to stop competing."
Yet, after those challenging months, Andersson found resolve. "It gave me motivation for revenge. This cannot be the end of my story with the Tour de Ski," she expressed, embarking on the path of reinvention and renewed determination. Her performance history speaks for itself: breaking out of the 2020 Tour, finishing third the following year, and taking second place again, her aspirations remained untainted. Despite the heartbreak of not yet claiming first place, Andersson’s hunger for victory is palpable. "It would be a milestone in my career," she admitted when discussing her dream of becoming the third Swede to win the Tour de Ski, following Charlotte Kalla and Frida Karlsson.
Now entering the latest edition of the Tour de Ski, she maintains optimism. The decision to skip the World Cup events leading up to the competition to focus on regaining her confidence proved strategic. "I have been home, truly gaining back some self-assurance and the urge to compete. I hope this will be good for me now," she states with renewed energy. On January 5, the conclusion of the Tour up the steep slopes of Alpe Cermis will reveal if this preparation leads to success.
Reflecting on past experiences, Andersson is no stranger to emotional upheaval within the competitive atmosphere. Each year bleeds its unique challenges but remolding her approach has begun to pave the way for whatever is next. With the stakes ever higher, and the pressure of performing looming over her, she hopes to channel her resilience to leave her mark. Every skater to ever breathe the rarefied air of the Alpe Cermis knows the legendary difficulty of the final stretch. But for Andersson, it becomes more than just another race. It’s about redefining her legacy, one hit and miss at a time.
