But there was Norwegian dominance on the men's side during the 20 km ski jump. Klæbo took home the victory, and it wasn't exactly a bombshell that he managed to pull it off. The men's field was large all the way to the finish, but that probably won't be the case for the women.

The women will run the same distance as the men, and it is the first time that the women will run 20 km and not 15 km in a World Cup.

On the women's side, there will probably be more water between the boats and a larger stretch in the field. Karlsson's specialty is in classic. She is probably very keen to race hard from the start to have as few competitors as possible on the skating part.

Karlsson will probably bring Johaug along for the ride. If the two become a duo, they will be dangerous.

Ebba Andersson confirmed her form in Falun. On a good day, she will join this duo.

We shouldn't write off Heidi Weng either, even though she is strongest in skating.

Slind will probably be there too. She got a little sick in Falun. How much has that set her back?

Otherwise, we must mention Diggins, Carl, Sundling, and Parmakoski as outsiders to medal.

Ebba Andersson

She is the reigning world champion at this distance. She has had an increasing form this season. After starting the season rather modestly by her standards, the arrow has pointed in the right direction for the Swede. Something happened to her in the new year during the Tour de Ski, and after the Tour de Ski she has performed very solidly. She won the last classic race before the World Championships. She is basically the best in skating, and when she wins in classic races in addition: Then we know that the form is on the way!

She is good enough to join Karlsson and Johaug during the classic part. But Andersson is not a sprinter. She depends on the field being destroyed before there is a sprint.
She won the trial World Championships here last year. She has two fourth places at this distance this year.

Astrid Øyre Slind

She has been very solid this season. After she has moved more and more to all-round cross-country skiing, she never ceases to impress. It all started with a World Cup bronze at this distance 2 years ago. After that, she has never looked back. She took her first World Cup victory this season. It happened in Davos before Christmas.

She is quite consistent in classic and skating. She is definitely best in easy sections, where she gets to use her upper body. Even though there are tough tracks, she has shown in many races this year that she can handle tough tracks too.
Slind got sick in Falun 2 weeks ago, and thus she didn't get to show what her form was like. Admittedly, it wasn't very serious.
At this distance this year she has been number 5 and number 3. She was number 5 in the trial World Championships here last year.

Conclusion

I think it will be a hard race from the start. Not many people will be able to keep up with Karlsson and Johaug's speed on those tracks here, I only see Andersson, Weng and Slind as possible contenders.
After what I saw in Falun, I think Ebba has found the form for a championship again. We know what she can do on those tracks here. I can imagine a scenario where Karlsson, Johaug and Andersson manage to move away. That way the others won't be able to close the gap, even though the skating part is relatively easy.
It's 1-1 between Slind and Andersson on this distance this year, but tomorrow I think it will be 2-1 to Ebba Andersson.
We play the following:
Norway at 14:00: Andersson – Slind: Andersson (2.15) 3 units