Winter Olympics athlete wins silver with one ski in ‘miracle’ scenes after ‘disaster’ crash
Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson endured a nightmare sequence during the 4×7.5km relay at the Winter Olympics, falling twice during her leg of the race.
The 28-year-old’s second tumble proved even more costly when one of her skis snapped on impact.
Rather than abandoning her effort, Andersson demonstrated remarkable resolve by tucking the damaged ski beneath her arm and pressing forward on just one ski.
The incident transformed what had been a promising gold medal challenge into a desperate fight for survival, with her teammate Frida Karlsson watching in anguish from the changeover zone.
BBC commentator Rob Walker could scarcely believe what he was witnessing as the drama unfolded.
During the broadcast, Walker said: “She’s fallen again. An absolute disaster, and she’s lost a ski. She’s doing her level best to catch it up.
“What a nightmare this has turned out to be for the Swede.”
He praised Andersson’s refusal to surrender, noting she was “running with the ski under her arm” in a desperate bid to give Karlsson something to work with.
Swedish cross-country skier Ebba Andersson endured a nightmare sequence during the 4×7.5km relay at the Winter Olympics
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BBC
Walker said: “This is what the Winter Olympics means. You keep going, you don’t give up and you don’t stop.
“I’ve never seen anything like that.”
Relief eventually arrived when a team assistant delivered a replacement ski to the stricken Andersson, though the handover was far from smooth.
The assistant themself took a tumble whilst rushing to help the struggling Olympian.
The chaotic sequence had devastating consequences for Sweden’s medal hopes
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BBC
The chaotic sequence had devastating consequences for Sweden’s medal hopes, sending them from genuine gold contenders to seventh place.
Reflecting on the extraordinary scenes, Walker said: “First of all, it’s a miracle she’s been able to carry on.
“And second of all, she had the presence of mind to somehow ski, run, hop, skip and keep going until the team member managed to get up.”
The Swedish quartet mounted an astonishing fightback through the remaining legs of the relay.
The assistant themself took a tumble whilst rushing to help the struggling Olympian
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BBC
From their lowly seventh position, Sweden clawed their way back through the field to secure an improbable Silver medal.
Norway proved too strong at the front, with the Swedes crossing the line 50.9 seconds behind the winners.
Walker described the recovery as a “miracle” given the catastrophic setback Andersson had suffered.
The Swedish team comprised Andersson, Karlsson, Jonna Sundling and Linn Svahn.
