Tove Ericsson decided before the season to fully commit to Ski Classics. After a tough start, she achieved her best race of the season so far by finishing 11th at Marcialonga.

During her years as a junior, Tove Ericsson has been one of Sweden’s most promising talents. She was on the podium in her debut in Ski Classics last winter at the Grönklitt Criterium. After the season, she decided to fully commit to Ski Classics alongside Team Engcon.

Also Read: Persson and Dahl back to the top of the podium at Grönklitt Criterium

Ericsson had a difficult start to the season due to an illness that lingered.

“I got sick in November and started training too early. It took a very long time to shake off, and during the competitions before Christmas, it felt like something was wrong with my body,” says Tove Ericsson to Langd.se.

But during Marcialonga, her body felt better again, and Tove received confirmation that her form is improving.

“It was nice to compete again. But it was a special race, very icy. The group was moving quite erratically, and it got messy when the male amateurs caught up. It went well for 5-6 kilometers, but then I got really tired, and on the last hill, it was just about trying to move forward,” she says.

Tove will compete in the Ford Smart Energy Cup in Åsarna, Sweden, this weekend. The races are in skating technique, which she has not competed in this season yet.

“I want to keep competing. I skated during the training year, so I’m not worried about that. Then we’ll see how much I’ve recovered after Marcialonga.”

What are your goals for the rest of the season?

“I want to achieve a race that becomes a real hit. It doesn’t matter much in which competition,” Tove concludes.

Also Read: Ski Classics Standings after Marcialonga 2024

Next up is Jizerská50 on Sunday, February 11, 2024. The 50-kilometer classic race marks the eighth Ski Classics stage and Season XV’s second Grand Classics event.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XV (2023/2024)

• Event 1: December 9, 2023 – Bad Gastein PTT, Austria, 13km
• Event 2: December 10, 2023 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: December 16, 2023 – La Venosta Criterium, Italy, 35km 
• Event 4: December 17, 2023 – La Venosta ITT, Italy, 10km
• Event 5: January 13, 2024 – 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon, Italy, 62km
• Event 6: January 20, 2024 – Engadin La Diagonela, Switzerland, 56km
• Event 7: January 28, 2024 – Marcialonga, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 11, 2024 – Jizerská50, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 17, 2024 – Grönklitt Classic, Sweden, 60km
• Event 10: February 18, 2024 – Grönklitt ITT, Sweden, 13km
• Event 11: March 3, 2024 – Vasaloppet, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 16, 2024 – Birkebeinerrennet, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 6, 2024 – Reistadløpet, Norway, 50km
• Event 14: April 7, 2024 – Summit 2 Senja, Norway, 60km
• Event 15: April 13, 2024 – Ski Classics Grand Finale – Janteloppet, Norway, 100km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour can be found at skiclassics.com