Frida Karlsson’s early season made her expect big, but in the Beijing Olympics, something went wrong. Now the Swedish star is building a new beginning.
The opening of the current World Cup season in Ruka promised nothing but good.
Frida Karlsson Ruka celebrated a clear victory in the women’s ten-kilometer traditional break with a difference of 13.7 seconds Therese Johaugiin. The loss to Johaug on that trip was the first since March 2015.
The health ailments and injuries that plagued Karlsson in previous periods seemed to be a life left behind. Before the start of the season, the Swedish 22-year-old ski comet threatened his self-confidence and said he was ready to put the sport to Johaug’s tough, which had dominated in recent years.
However, the ski audience was not allowed to see Karlsson and Johaug’s victory fight when it came time for the main event of the season, the Beijing Olympics. Johaug, who preyed on three golds, went to his personal expenses at the Olympics.
Worryingly reminiscent of Karlsson’s race contract were the disturbing images of a weakened and unwell athlete.
Underperforming and computing had ruined Karlsson’s chances at the New Year’s Tour de Sk, but the problems he saw in Beijing were in a class of their own.
– It was really heavy. I was just over in China, Karlsson told Sport on the closing day of the Lahti World Cup.
At the Olympics, Karlsson never managed to recover from the strain of the opening race of the Games. Karlsson was fifth in the combined race 42.5 seconds away from winner Johaug. After the race, the Swede was not himself.
Karlsson’s good friend and national teammate, a sprinter House Dahlqvist told of the frightening situation in the hotel room shared by the duo after the Games.
– Frida arrived at the hotel really early. He went to bed with all his clothes on and just fell asleep. He was completely gone, Dahlqvist described in SVT’s presentation, the reporter Carina Bergfeldtin in the discussion program.
– I talked to him like he was partying. “You have to take a shower and refuel.” But he sat on the floor and slept while I tried to get him to drink juice. It was a difficult place.
Karlsson eventually had to miss the final distance of the race, the 30-kilometer race.
Before that, he was 12th in the traditional break start of 10 miles (a minute and 22 seconds from Johaug). In the message, Karlsson reached the bronze medal in the Swedish team, although his own share went beyond anything.
“Body doesn’t work the way I want it to”
Despite a tough race trip, Karlsson returned to compete in the Lahti World Cup this past weekend. Prior to Sunday’s 10-mile traditional race, expectations were zero. Karlsson announced that he was in the top 50.
The Swede was 16th in the race, more than a minute and a half away from Johaug, who once again took first place. In a post-race interview, Karlsson described the day as pregnant, both physically and mentally.
– It felt like my body hadn’t fully recovered. It was nice to compete, and the atmosphere along the Lahti trails was great. However, it’s really frustrating when the body doesn’t work the way I would like, the skier commented to .
– However, I believe that this is a small step in the right direction.
Karlsson said he has not had time to think more about what went wrong in Beijing. After the Beijing Games, the journey continued almost immediately towards the Lahti World Cup. Numerous medical examinations and tests performed after the Olympics found no evidence of illness.
– After the Olympics, I have only been home for a day. Now I try to calm down and analyze things more, go step by step, Karlsson said.
– I found the conditions in Beijing very difficult. We competed high, the tracks and ascents were tough … And at least the severe disappointment didn’t help the energy shortage.
Karlsson said he was grateful for the support of his teammates and loved ones during difficult times.
– It is important to maintain joy in spite of everything. Although it is doing poorly now, I have a great gang around me. We can talk about something other than skiing.
A close friend, Maja Dahlqvist, who won three Olympic medals in Beijing, was on the same lines.
– Our strength is that when we are together, we are able to forget about skiing and laugh at everyday things. That was extremely important in this situation. This was a big disappointment for Frida after all the expectations, but I’m pretty sure she’ll be back stronger, Dahlqvist told .