Ebba Andersson narrowly missed the podium during the skiathlon at the Tour de Ski, finishing fourth after what can only be described as a heart-pounding and fiercely contested race. With her first podium placement of the season tantalizingly close, Andersson found herself just one-tenth of a second behind Austria's Teresa Stadlober and Norway's Astrid Øyre Slind.
On January 5, 2025, at the picturesque setting of Val di Fiemme, Italy, the skiathlon showcased the endurance and skill of the elite skiers, with Andersson competing against formidable rivals like Therese Johaug, who dominated the event. Johaug took the lead early on and extended her distance throughout the competition, eventually winning the race by half a minute over Stadlober.
Reflecting on her performance, Andersson shared, "It is so frustratingly close to my first podium this season. But the timing on the finish line wasn’t quite right," when speaking with SVT Sport. These sentiments echoed the disappointment she felt as she neared the race's exhilarating conclusion.
Andersson had hopes of not only catching up to Slind and Stadlober but also seemed primed to push for the podium within the final few kilometers. "I got really good speed coming to the finish, but it was hard, it was so darn tough, and I didn’t get the right pressure on the skis," she explained to Viaplay, capturing the intensity of the moment. Despite her admirable efforts, the final sprint proved challenging, leaving her just shy of the podium.
The race unfolded with four skiers initially breaking away from the pack, including Andersson. Johaug, demonstrating her prowess, pulled away significantly after the ski change, increasing her lead and solidifying her position at the top of the rankings. Although Andersson struggled to maintain this pace, she fought valiantly to stay within reach. "It was too tough for me to keep up with her pace increase," Andersson admitted, acknowledging Johaug's superior tempo.
This race marked a turning point for Andersson, who had initially struggled at the beginning of the Tour de Ski but had made significant gains over her last few races. With her performance at Val di Fiemme, she moved up to seventh place overall, just 4.12 minutes behind Johaug.
Andersson’s perseverance through the challenging conditions and the narrow defeat speak volumes about her character and determination. "The body responds quite well, but not the 100 percent I needed to have," Andersson assessed, highlighting her resolve to improve and push harder moving forward.
Going beyond her individual performance, this skiathlon served as a setup for the final challenges of the Tour de Ski, with the notorious climb up Alpe Cermis looming. "It is going to be something to bite on. It’s always tough to tackle Alpe Cermis, and I must prepare for a really challenging match against the hill," she stated, hinting at both the mental and physical trials to come.
The stakes are high as Johaug leads the Tour de Ski with considerable confidence, boasting 22 seconds over Slind and 1.47 minutes over the American Jessie Diggins, who occupies third place. Andersson knows she must capitalize on her training and experiences to break free from the challenges of the current season.
After persevering through the rigors of the Tour de Ski, including her near-miss for the podium, Andersson aims to build on her successes and hone her skills. Eyes are set on improving during bigger races, including the upcoming World Championships, where her skills will be tested in competitive scenarios. With her eyes focused on the future and determined to shake off doubts, Ebba Andersson prepares to leave her disappointments behind and focuses on the races to come.