Krista Pärmäkoski kept a high and steady pace throughout the race and was challenged above all by compatriot Kerttu Niskanen and German Victoria Carl.
Once it was decided, it was tight. Pärmäkoski crossed the finish line as leader and had to wait there for Niskanen and Carl, who were still out in the trail.
Carl was close but did not manage to beat the time. The German finished 1.9 seconds behind Pärmäkoski, who burst into tears as victory, her first in six years, was secured on home soil in Lahti.
– When I saw that she (Carl) was following me, it was a wonderful feeling and it was very emotional for me, says Pärmäkoski to SVT Sport.
Sundling best Swedish
Niskanen finished third, almost 10 seconds behind Pärmäkoski.
The best Swede was Jonna Sundling, who was in the lead following half the race. But the Swede faltered slightly and went from the lead to fourth and almost 16 seconds behind the lead.
In the end it was a fourth place for Sundling who was 20 seconds behind Pärmäkoski and 10 seconds off the podium.
– In the end, it’s me who can’t keep up the same speed as those in front of me, says Sundling.
Karlsson lost heavily
She says that it was difficult riding because the surface changed during the course of the race.
– The forest becomes different as we go. It becomes difficult to ride when there are tracks that are basically non-existent and ice comes out a little here and there.
Frida Karlsson also started strong, but then lost a lot. After 9.1 kilometers she was 18 seconds behind and four kilometers later the distance was 36 seconds.
At the finish line, she was 54 seconds behind and finished sixth. Ebba Andersson was tenth and Linn Svahn eleventh.
