Through tough races, small glimpses of hope, and a well-deserved comeback in the final stages, Ebba reflects on how she navigated the pressure, setbacks, and the importance of mental well-being.

Tour de Ski is over for this time. For Ebba Andersson, it was a competition filled with challenges but also small successes. With an overall placement of sixth in the women’s class, it wasn’t the tour she had hoped for, but she still looks back on the event with a mix of frustration and lessons learned.

“It has been a bit mixed. Physically, it’s not too bad,” Andersson reflects on her performance during a press conference in Val di Fiemme.

Mental Toughness and Recovery: Ebba’s Key to Success

Tour de Ski is known for its tough challenge – several races in a short time, different disciplines, and the legendary climb in Val di Fiemme. Andersson had some difficulties along the way, particularly after the 20 km skate race, where the results didn’t meet expectations. Ebba finished in 33rd place after a really tough day on the track. After the race, Ebba was resolute, and discussions in the mixed zone started about whether the skis were competitive or not.

“I was especially very disappointed after the skate race on Tuesday,” she explains to Langd.se.

Despite this, she managed to advance during the pursuit race and gained several places, which provided much-needed confidence for the continuation.

“I just try to see the small glimpses of hope that have been there, even though it was a bit far up to those at the very front,” says Ebba, referring to the tough competition from the top racers. Ebba finished 18th in the pursuit.

Overcoming Setbacks: Ebba’s Road to Revitalization

During the races in Val di Fiemme, Ebba Andersson finally got her revenge. In the sprint, Ebba advanced to the final heats. Unusual, but perhaps not the strongest performance from Ebba in a sprint prologue. After all, there were only 42 starters.

In the penultimate race of the Tour, the 20 km Skiathlon, Ebba finally got her revenge. Beaten in the sprint for second place by Astrid Øyre Slind and Teresa Stadlober, Ebba finished fourth.

“I got really good speed on the way to the finish line. The open track was so damn hard, so I didn’t get the right pressure,” Ebba Andersson tells Viaplay after the race.

Final Stages: Ebba’s Strong Finish at Tour de Ski 2024/2025

In the final climb up Alpe Cermis, Ebba put in a solid performance, as they say in Norwegian. Andersson finished fifth across the finish line and ended up sixth overall in the 2025 Tour de Ski. She also finished fifth in the climbing competition.

Ebba also made a leap in the overall World Cup standings. You can read more about that here.

An important part of Ebba’s success in Tour de Ski has been her ability to handle setbacks mentally. She describes how she actively tries to disconnect from the competition pressure to give her brain time to recover.

“I really like to disconnect from all the competition and everything that comes with it. Just getting some time for the brain to recover,” Ebba explains.

Ebba has previously been open about struggling with mental aspects. In the fall, she spoke about similar issues. “It’s scary when you don’t recognize your body,” she analyzed earlier.

The travel days between race venues have been a challenge for her. Starting the day by getting into a car and changing the usual daily rhythm can make her sluggish. But with focus and training, she has found ways to get back into the right mindset.

Ebba Andersson ended Tour de Ski with her dignity intact, and her performances, particularly in the classic race during the second stage and the final climb, showed that the form is still there. Ebba’s ability to balance physical and mental demands is something she takes forward.

“It’s about focusing on the small progress and not letting setbacks take over,” Andersson says.

With new experiences in hand, Ebba Andersson is already looking forward to upcoming competitions – an inspiring reminder that even in setbacks, there are always glimpses of hope to find.