Cross-country: Edvin Anger third in Ruka mass start: “That was nice”

Edvin Anger took third place in the 20 km mass start in Ruka.

The Swede was part of the lead group throughout but couldn’t quite live with the Norwegians on the final straight. “Maybe I should have pushed a little more,” he told SVT.

It was a big success for the 23‑year‑old, who finished behind Norway’s Harald Østberg Amundsen (winner) and Einar Hedegart (second). “It feels great to pull this off,” Anger told SVT Sport.

Anger was frequently at the front setting the pace and said he felt relaxed: “I went for it and it didn’t feel like I emptied the tank; I skied relaxed.”

As the finish approached, a small group emerged: Anger and three Norwegians — Østberg Amundsen, Hedegart and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget. Anger could not shake the trio. “When they came up on my tails on the next‑to‑last climb I thought, ‘how on earth am I going to solve this?’”

On the finishing straight, Østberg Amundsen accelerated decisively and proved too strong. Hedegart was second and Anger third, 2.3 seconds behind the winner.

Asked what this result means to him, Anger said: “It means everything; I needed this. I can lower my shoulders for next week. Now I know my top level is good enough for a medal, really.”