The Swedish cross-country skiers from the national team make sure to lower their expectations ahead of tonight’s rollerski premiere at the Smart Energy Cup in Sweden.

Today (15km F) and tomorrow (Sprint F) are the premiere of the summer rollerski circuit Smart Energy Cup on Lugnet’s track in Falun, Sweden.

The Swedish national team (for the traditional cross-country skiing) is on the kick-off before the season, and most national team skiers will race Thursday’s races. From the national team skiers, “only” Anna Dyvik, Johanna Hagström, and Jens Burman will not start.

“It is important to have competitions even in summer. They are broadcasted via Expressen, which means that we get exposure and headlines about our competition, not just other headlines,” says national team manager Anders Byström, due to the recent headlines about Frida Karlsson and Maja Dahlqvist’s choice to prepare outside the national team.

At 17:04 CET, Ebba Andersson will embark on her first lap of four on the rollerski tracks at Lugnet.

“I had a fairly persistent illness after the season. It took some time to come back again. I have often been on point early when it comes to starting training and almost rushed from season to season. Now I got a much-needed break, and I am really motivated for training,” says Ebba Andersson.

How do you see Thursday’s race?

“The focus is on getting a good speed interval. I have no high expectations, and you should not have that either,” Ebba smiles.

And William Poromaa is in the same line:

“It is not a top form here now. But it would be nice to feel that I am not completely under the ice. But I get more shocked if it feels good than bad,” says Poromaa.

In addition to the honor, the prize money consists of 50.000 Swedish Krones in prize money per day and gender.

Here are the program and start lists