By Johan Trygg
Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, took her second straight victory at Tjejvasan, and the fourth overall. In the 30 km race, Britta moved fast from the start, and after halfway only Lina Korsgren, Team Ramudden, could follow at Britta’s pace. With five kilometers left, the Johansson Norgren attacked and reached the finish line in Mora in solitary majesty.
”I felt that I had great skiing, that the form was there right from the start,” Johansson Norgren said.
It was really wet with rainy, and there were icy conditions on the track between Oxberg and Mora today. It was a challenge for both elite and recreational skiers.
In the elite field, there was high-speed right from the start and already after a few kilometers in the Oxberg control, there was a tight cluster of seven athletes. Besides Johansson Norgren and Korsgren, there were five skiers in the pack; Ida Dahl and Jenny Larsson, both from Team Ramudden, Katerina Smutná, Ed System Bauer Team, Laila Kveli, Team Engcon, and Maria Nordström, Borås SK.
"I was a little surprised that we were so few so early in the race," Johansson Norgren admitted. “I tried to keep up the speed and to stay out of harm’s way at the beginning of the race. I felt early that the shape is there and I had good skis. I think Lina and I had the best skis, and I probably had even better than her at the end.”
At the control point in Hökberg after 12 km, Britta increased the tempo and only Lina could follow. Britta then made some tough surges and with five kilometers to go Lina couldn't follow her. At the finish, Johansson Norgren was 38 seconds ahead of Korsgren.
"I was trying so hard to stay behind Britta. My head wanted it, but not the body," said Korsgren.
Smutná and Dahl had a battle for the last place on the podium, and Dahl was the strongest at the final stretch. They reached the finish almost two minutes behind Johansson Norgren. Jenny Larsson, Team Ramudden finished 5th and Thea Krokan Murud, Team Ragde Eiendom at 6th place.
