Frida Karlsson’s final in Holmenkollen’s sprint was a nightmare.
It got worse – when she saw what Kristine Stavås Skistad was doing.
– Then I felt that this is a tragic picture, she tells Expressen.
There were important points at stake for Swedish stars Linn Svahn and Frida Karlsson when the Drammen sprint was decided on Tuesday. Both are very much in the hunt for an overall World Cup win, led by Jessie Diggins, with three races remaining in the season.
The nightmare in the final
Diggins did not make it to the semi-finals, but both Karlsson and Svahn made it to the final, and even there they scored valuable points. But for Frida Karlsson, the final became a nightmare. She collided somewhat with teammate Johanna Hagström, and thus had her pole broken. It made it impossible for Karlsson to keep up, and she was “only” sixth in the final.
Frida Karlsson says afterwards that she felt strong, and that it thus happened at the worst possible time.
– Lots of ugly words, I think. You can’t say that in front of the camera. It was sour. I felt strong on the run today. It is a long and tough race that suits me very well when there is no maximum speed and more to fight at high speed, she tells Expressen.
“A tragic picture”
It got even worse for Frida Karlsson when she got to the finish line. Karlsson gave up hard and slowly rode towards the finish after her pole had gone off. Before she crossed the finish line, she met Kristine Stavås Skistad – who was busy doing a lap of honor.
– I met Skistad at her lap of honor, then I felt that this is a tragic picture, says Karlsson.
Kristine Stavås Skistad, on the other hand, had no idea that Karlsson still hadn’t finished. And she was worried that it would cost her.
– I was on my way to the audience and saw her (Karlsson) coming, then I was afraid that I would be washed. But fortunately not, she says.
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