Photo: Bildbyrån
In just under three years, cross-country star Frida Karlsson may end her career – only 27 years old.
Before then, she wants to defeat a comebacking Therese Johaug – on Norwegian WC soil.
– One year I put off training for how to beat Therese, says the Swede.
After a roughly three-hour long running and hiking session from Tesero in the Val di Fiemme – where the cross-country skiing in the 2026 Olympics will be decided – reaches Frida Karlsson and Lynn Svahn the restaurant up on Mount Agnello. Despite being deserted, yodeling and “ompa-ompa” music booms out over the spectacular landscape.
– We’re going all the way up, says Frida Karlsson, and the duo continues up to the top, located 2,370 meters above sea level.
Broke out of the national team
The stars return an hour later for a quick coffee on the restaurant’s patio before it’s the chairlift on the way down. Karlsson is in his third and final week of training at high altitude in Italy.
– I have seen that I have received good responses in my high-altitude training, says the 25-year-old a little later outside the hotel in Lavazé.
Before the 2022–2023 season, Karlsson, Svahn and Maja Dahlqvist out of the national team to invest in their own training plan, but since last season the trio is back.
– There was a big change last season, says Karlsson.
Want to inspire others
It is, for example, about the flexibility to be able to train individually or in smaller groups, but this particular camp is both the A national team and the development group on site in Italy.
– This is also necessary. Because we have to make sure that knowledge and experience are passed on, that the younger ones get to see the level and try to challenge.
TT: Do you feel a responsibility for that?
– It would be wrong if you didn’t feel like you were a team or part of Skis Sweden. What inspired me? I remember that day when Charlotte Kalla won uphill in 2008 (in Tour de Ski). Then suddenly I was on the same team and saw what she did every day. When you have reached that level yourself, you want to pass it on as well.
Frida Karlsson can quit as a 27-year-old
Karlsson was responsible for a gigantic breakthrough when, as a 19-year-old, she won gold, silver and bronze at the WC 2019. Since then, there have been seven more WC medals and an Olympic bronze, but after the WC 2027 in Falun, she plans to of as a 27-year-old, which Expressen reported on last spring.
– That is my main plan. Once I stand there, it can be extended, but I like to set a finish line, she says five months later.
Setting an end point for the career is a motivating factor, she says. A way of living in the present.
– I don’t want to think that it just keeps rolling in a hamster wheel. I really want to take advantage of these years and make them golden years.
Last season’s third overall in the World Cup will this winter focus primarily on the WC in Trondheim in February–March. Then comes a certain one Therese Johaug – who has won four Olympic golds and 14 World Cup golds – are on the starting line. After she retired in March 2022, the Norwegian gave birth to a daughter, but now the 36-year-old is making a comeback.
The measuring stick Therese Johaug
– She is so welcome. But where does she stand? Johaug has been the benchmark for so many years – he is someone we have been chasing all along. One year I put off training for how to beat Therese. Then I hit her twice too.
It was in the 2021–2022 season that Karlsson won two World Cup races with Johaug second.
– For me, it has always been motivating to win a race, not to get on the podium. Then I had to take her down too.
How exciting to see Johaug back against Frida Karlsson, Linn Svahn and Ebba Andersson again. Cheers to all talented Swedes – together you stop Johaug.
Are you looking forward to the new ski season? Feel free to write a comment and tell us what you feel.
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