PHOTO: Bildbyrån
The World Cup weekend in Östersund had a leaden ending.
The worst was for Frida Karlsson, who was severely cut in Norway.
– It feels terribly bad, she admits to SVT.
On Sunday, the World Cup weekend in Östersund ended with a 10 kilometer freestyle. But it would be a nightmare race for all Swedish cross-country skiers.
Frida’s disappointment
The American Jessie Diggins impressed again and took the victory while the Swedes were far behind. Best blue-yellow skater was Ebba Andersson in a modest ninth place while Frida Karlsson broke records in disappointment.
– The Swedes are not keeping up today. It doesn’t look good at all, said Anna-Karin Strömstedt in Viaplay during the course of the race.
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The Swedish ski star finished over a minute and a half behind Diggins and was 23rd, which is Karlsson’s worst ever placing in a distance race at the World Cup.
– It’s an eternity. It feels terribly bad in the body. You could already feel it during the warm-up, Karlsson told SVT directly after the race and directs clear criticism at the herding team.
– It becomes quite obvious when no Swede skis well. We have to do that. So we may have to evaluate it with our sires.
Karlsson’s saw
Which also the head of the herd Anders Svanebo agree.
– The skis are under all criticism. We do not deliver at the top in the women’s competition. It is difficult to speculate why right now, he tells the TV channel.
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Frida Karlsson has subsequently been exposed to a serious sawing in the Norwegian media.
– She is a shadow of herself, says the NRK expert Torgeir Björn about Frida in the track.
READ MORE: Gunde Svan names the best Swedish skier ever – and Thomas Wassberg comes second: “Afraid of it”
The 24-year-old has recently returned from a covid illness but may now be forced to act after the big disappointment. As early as Friday, it is time for the new World Cup competition in Trondheim, Norway, and then Karlsson is considering staying at home and not competing at all.
– It’s too bad, that’s it. I’m disappointed and it’s just a matter of looking ahead, she tells Radiosporten.
– Yes, we will make a plan now and we will see if next weekend is included in the plan or not. I don’t want to compete at this level, I want to feel like I’m riding at my full capacity.
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