Ebba Andersson is skipping the World Cup in Lahti. Instead, the Swedish cross-country star has chosen to race a Ski Classics event.

A week and a half ago, Ebba Andersson won the Olympic 50km. Now she is skipping the World Cup in Lahti next weekend in favor of long-distance racing.

“This coming weekend I’m more tempted to race a 50km individual start in Orsa and challenge myself in that format,” the Olympic star told Expressen.

The national team management is not hiding their dissatisfaction and says they would have preferred a different decision.

“We want our skiers to compete in the World Cup, and we want to have the best team in place, at the same time we don’t want to force anyone. It’s unfortunate that Ebba has chosen to skip the World Cup in Lahti,” said national team manager Anders Byström in connection with the team selection.

Tempted by Ski Classics

Andersson, who won three silver medals and one gold at the Olympics in Italy, has previously raced long-distance events with great success. Last spring, she dominated the Ski Classics season finale weekend, winning both Reistadløpet and Summit 2 Senja.

The Swedish star has repeatedly said she is tempted to race more long-distance events, and last year she signed with Team Engcon, the Ski Classics Pro Team managed by Jørgen Ulvang.

During the summer and autumn, Andersson chose to skip national team training camps in favor of training with the long-distance team in preparation for the Olympics. Ahead of the season, Ulvang described the cooperation with the national team as “ice cold.”

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com

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