PHOTO: Bildbyrån
Sweden has never won the overall World Cup in cross-country skiing on the women’s side.
Now the blue and yellow stars are criticizing the arrangement.
– It shouldn’t go to the point where I have to start sick to keep up with the World Cup, says Frida Karlsson.
The current cross-country World Cup points system has been used for the past two seasons. In the past, for example, the winner got 20 points more than the runner-up, who had the same difference down to third.
Now the difference between victory and second place is just five points and 50 riders instead of 30 get points.
– The point system means that you profit from just participating, it doesn’t give much to be the best and win, says Frida Karlsson.
Frida Karlsson’s criticism
Karlsson was third overall last season. It turned out even better Lynn Svahnwho finished second. She had a chance at the overall victory during the closing weekend, but slipped behind the overall winner Jessie DigginsUSA, in Falun.
ADVERTISEMENT: Compete for a unique winter experience in the Swedish rally!
However, the starting position before the races in Dalarna could have been clearly better for the Swedish duo. Both missed the season’s second World Cup weekend in Gällivare after falling ill with covid.
– It shouldn’t go to the point where I have to start sick to keep up with the World Cup. One weekend maybe you could get over and still be in the fight for the total, says Karlsson.
Ebba Andersson’s words
The national team mate Ebba Andersson think that Fis (the International Skiing and Snowboarding Federation) needs to review the points system.
– Above all, you should reward the top places significantly more than you do. Winning a World Cup should be a big deal. It should be higher to be second and third than to be sixth, seventh or eighth, says Andersson.
READ MORE: The viewers love what Mona Brorsson did in the SVT premiere
When a missed weekend can destroy all chances of fighting for the total, the World Cup becomes secondary, says Andersson.
– It’s not always about how you perform, but just that you participate and show up. Then I think you’ve gone a bit wrong, says Ebba Andersson.
Svahn’s second place finish was the best in 36 years on the women’s side – the 1987–88 season also ended Marie-Helene “Billan” Östlund (formerly Westin) second. No Swede has ever won the overall.
– I think it will happen, but maybe not this season. Now it is the World Cup that is prioritized and then certain World Cup races are selected. Then it is difficult to have anything to do with the total, says Lynn Svahn.
The World Cup begins in Ruka, Finland, on November 29.
Do you agree with the Swedish skiers’ criticism? Share the article and have your say!
READ MORE: Edvin Anger saws the Swedish cross-country team
Share