Photo: Bildbyrån
Frida Karlsson crushed Therese Johaug in Ruka.
In Lillehammer, the Norwegian took proper revenge. She won the race convincingly while Frida Karlsson came fourth.
It was Johaug’s first World Cup victory in exactly 1,000 days.
– Today is Norway’s day, says Swedish national team manager Anders Byström to Viaplay.
Frida Karlsson25, won the 10km classic race last weekend in Ruka – finishing a whopping 46 seconds ahead of the runner-up Therese Johaug36. Could she repeat that feat? Yes, that was the question in advance when the 10 kilometer freestyle was to be decided in Norwegian Lillehammer on Friday.
Therese Johaug defeated Frida Karlsson
In the end, it wasn’t very exciting who would win. The Norwegian dominated from start to finish and actually had his mate Heidi Weng as the closest rival. Therese Johaug won in a time of 25.16.4, just over 11 seconds ahead of Weng. Astrid Øyre Slind came third.
– Absolutely fantastic. When you get a lot of criticism for not winning, I fought back today. The loser has become a winner, says Johaug to Norwegian TV2
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It was Therese Johaug’s first victory at the World Cup since the comeback, her 83rd ever. It was also her first victory in exactly 1,000 days, the last being March 12, 2022 in Falun. For a long time, Frida Karlsson looked set to take a new podium place. But in the final stretch she lost third place and ended up third. She crossed the finish line 46.4 seconds after Johaug. A time that was very similar to the one she won with against the Norwegian last time.
– Frida has barely skated since last autumn and not on skis that much. She is doing great coming fourth here today. Today is Norway’s day, says the national team manager Anders Byström in Viaplay.
Ebba Andersson eventually finished seventh in the race. She finished one minute and four seconds after Johaug.
The text is updated.
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson’s response to Therese Johaug’s new psychosis
Well fought, Frida! When Therese Johaug is in the right mood, she is almost impossible to defeat. Keep fighting and you’ll soon beat her again.
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