Andersson crossed the finish line in proud solitude, Keidy Kaasik took 13th place
Swedish skier Ebba Andersson won gold in the women's 50 km Nordic skiing event at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, while Estonian skiers Keidy and Kaidy Kaasik finished 13th and 20th respectively.
The Milano Cortina Winter Olympics concluded its Nordic skiing program on Sunday, with Swedish skier Ebba Andersson dominating the women's 50 km classical event. Andersson established an early lead, dictating the pace from the start, with only Norwegian skier Heidi Weng managing to keep within striking distance until the halfway mark. By the 5 km mark, Andersson had built a 9.6-second lead, which expanded to 30 seconds by 10 km, and a full minute before she crossed the finish line, showcasing her impressive stamina and strategic race management.
Andersson finished the race in an impressive time of 2:16.28.2, marking her first Olympic victory after securing multiple medals in previous games, including a silver in Pyeongchang and a bronze in Beijing. Her performance in Milan has been widely celebrated as a testament to her dedication and skill in the sport of cross-country skiing. Meanwhile, the Kaasik sisters from Estonia, Keidy and Kaidy, also put in notable performances, with Keidy finishing in 13th place and Kaidy in 20th, highlighting their potential and the growing reputation of Estonian skiers on the international stage.
The success of Andersson and the performance of the Kaasik sisters may influence the future of Nordic skiing, particularly in how younger athletes are scouted and mentored in competitive environments. The event not only underscored the elite talent present at the Olympics but also served as a platform for athletes from smaller nations, like Estonia, to showcase their capabilities, potentially inspiring future generations of skiers to pursue their dreams on the world stage.