Ida Dahl, Team Ramudden, is second overall, 97 points behind Britta Johansson Norgren, Lager 157 Ski Team, when only Saturday’s final Ylläs-Levi is left on Visma Ski Classics Season XII.

Most people talk about a sixth overall victory for Johansson Norgren, but Dahl has not given up the opportunity to pick up the lead.

“It will be challenging to get rid of Britta, but I will do my best,” says Dahl.

It will, of course, be difficult for Ida Dahl to pick up 97 points in the last race. Should Ida win, Britta must not be better than eight. There is no probable scenario, but of course, anything can happen in a 70km long-distance race.

What do you think about the race on Saturday? Do you believe Britta will keep a close eye on you?

“Yes, she will probably keep an eye on me the whole race. It will be tough to get rid of her, but I will do my best,” says Dahl.

Do you think the course suits you?

“I think it should suit me well. It’s quite long and with tough parts. Last time (2019), I went with kick wax and was not as prepared as now. I remember it was extremely hard. I do not remember much from the race because I was so tired, but it was still a nice and fun course. I’m looking forward to competing on Saturday,” says Dahl.

How is the recovery from Reistadløpet?

“Today (Wednesday), I think I am human again. Before, I’ve been pretty tired. The race was hard, harder than I thought. I have been a little worn out, but now it feels better.”

How hard was it to double pole Reistadløpet under that conditions?

“Very tough, of course. It is the toughest course of the whole season. It was extremely hard but at the same time fun to feel that I managed to double pole it the way I did.”

So, in retrospect, have you thought about whether you would still go with kick wax?

“It would also have been fun to test, but I chose to double pole and think it went well, and I am happy with my decision. Then we’ll see how I do next year.”

Ida was ninth after beating Emilie Fleten in the sprint in the finish. The duo was a minute behind Johansson Norgren in eighth place, the fastest with skate skis.

“I, Britta, and Fleten held together until the second climb. The first climb felt good, and then I started to get tired. It was pretty much worse than I remembered. There Britta ran away, so Fleten and I went together to the finish.”

What are your best and worst races this winter?

“When I won at Marcialonga and Jizerská are the best. The worst was Vasaloppet, where I had high hopes, but it was hard,” says Dahl, who also has two other victories this winter: Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge and Engadin La Diagonela.”