Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, won the first four events in Ski Classics Season XIV. Then finished third in Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge before being forced to miss Engadin La Diagonela due to illness. At Marcialonga, she was back and now is preparing for Jizerská50.

It was doubtful that Ida Dahl would be on the starting line at Marcialonga two weeks ago:

“I decided to start on Saturday, the day before the race,” says Ida during the pre-event interviews ahead of Jizerská50.

Watch Here: Jizerská50 Pre-Event Interviews Live On SC YouTube

“Marcialonga was tough. I really had a hard time for the first 15 kilometers but got better after that.”

The Team Engcon Pro Tour athlete felt that Marcialonga was the first race after a period of illness:

“I felt that my recovery was really bad. The first days after the race, I just rested before I started training more easily. It is only now, the last few days, that I have been able to train fully,” says Ida during the interview.

Ahead of this weekend’s Jizerská50, her expectations are lower:

“I’m not back where I was before I got sick. I have tried to listen to my body and take it easy.”

Dahl also believes that Magni Smedås, Team Eksjöhus, is one of the favorites in this weekend’s event after the victory in Marcialonga and believes that the competition in Jizerská50 will be fierce.

“There are many strong skiers. Emilie Fleten (Team Ramudden) is also back and will be strong. Now I don’t know if Astrid (Øyre Slind, Team Aker Dæhlie) is starting, but if she’s in, she’s also very strong.”

In this weekend’s Pro Tour event, the women start before the men, which may be decisive for how the race develops.

“I think the men will catch us before the sprint, and things will happen. Everyone will try to keep up with the men,” says Ida and explains the plan for the race:

“Of course, everything depends on how the body feels and the skis go. I have slightly different plans, but up the climb will be the most important, and of course, when the men catch us. Depending on how the race develops, you have slightly different tactics.”

Before Sunday’s long-distance race, the traditional Orlen Benzina Sprint will be held on Friday evening, a race Ida decided to start:

“It’s a fun competition with a good atmosphere. I will start because it’s fun.”

Read More: Orlen Benzina Sprint Live Exclusively On SC Play

Ida Dahl is second overall in the Champion competition, 15 points behind Magni Smedås, and 136 points ahead of Jenny Larsson in third place.

The upcoming Ski Classics Pro Tour event is Jizerská50, a 50km classic technique event in the Czech Republic on February 12.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 36km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.

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