ProXCskiing.com talked with the Swedish Pro Tour star, who had recently clinched second place at the 90km Klarälvsloppet. Ida Dahl opened up about her challenging summer training, the surprises at Klarälvsloppet, the evolution of women’s long-distance skiing, and her advice for aspiring skiers.

Ida Dahl, Team Engcon, is no strange name for Ski Classics and long-distance skiing. The Swedish Pro Team athlete became a Ski Classics Legend last season at Bad Gastein Criterium, after winning five Pro Tour events and managed to win the Yellow Champion competition overall. 

Also Read: Ida Dahl becomes a Legend

As we started our talk, we asked Dahl about her summer training. Ida shared her thoughts: “Overall, summer training has worked well, but in August, I was sick two times and actually through the whole of September with the sequelae from it. Only now, I think my body is starting to respond to training again, so that’s nice,” she explained.

Indeed, it seems that Ida is fully recovered, as she managed to perform well at Klarälvsloppet. We inquired about what her second-place finish revealed about her form. She admitted: “Klarälvsloppet was quite tough for me as I didn’t feel that my body was fully on board, but I managed to fight through the race with the leading group. So, in the end, I surprised myself a bit when I managed to go with Jenny when she pushed.” 

The Swedish Pro Team athlete also showed high praise for her competitors, saying: “The other girls were very strong, which they showed in the two sprints. And it was noticeable early on that Jenny had a good day, so I just tried to be with her when she attacked.”

As our attention went to the good shape of her competitors, we asked her thoughts on the development of the women’s field over the last two seasons. Ida acknowledged: 

“The women’s field really gets bigger and bigger, so it’s super nice. Above all, it is nice to see so many younger girls decide to train towards long-distance earlier. I absolutely believe that the competition will be tougher this year, and probably more team racing on the women’s side as well.”

Considering her meteoric rise in the sport, we asked her for advice to younger skiers aspiring to reach the top level of long-distance skiing. She offered some wisdom, saying: 

“It’s a lot about daring to specialize more and double pole a lot to manage the longer distances. As well as really daring to challenge yourself in what you can do and push the limits.”

After a season marked by several victories, we couldn’t help but inquire about her most cherished triumph. Reflecting on her experiences, she stated: “It’s hard to choose one victory that means more. I love to win no matter what competition it is, but maybe my first win in Prato Piazza is a little extra special!”

Team Engcon strengthening women’s side

Ida Dahl joined Team Engcon before Season XIV, and after a solid season, the Pro Team athlete was crowned the overall winner in the Ski Classics Champion competition. 

For Season XV, Pro Team Director Jerry Ahrlin has made a few more changes on the women’s side where Tove Ericsson and Hanna Lodin will join Dahl:

“It looks inspiring. Tove is young and offensive. She is a skier who trains hard and is very good to have on a team. She has stepped up her game during the dryland season. Then Hanna Lodin has impressed and really took steps, as expected,” says Pro Team Director Jerry Ahrlin in an earlier interview with ProXCskiing.com.

For the upcoming Ski Classics Season XV, the Swedish squad is bringing eight Pro Team athletes, three women and five men: Ida Dahl (1996), Hanna Lodin (1999), Tove Ericsson (2003), Eddie Edström (1995), Anton Elvseth (1998), Johan Tjelle (1994), Amund Hoel (1997), and Ole Jørgen Bruvoll (1995).

Read More: Team Engcon – Pro Team presentation Season XV

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