Photo: Bildbyrån
Before the World Cup premiere in Ruka, everything was about Therese Johaug, Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson.
The latter was completely dominant and crushed the Norwegian.
– It’s probably my best race so far. It feels pretty good, says Frida in Viaplay.
After last weekend’s domestic premieres in Bietostölen and Bruksvallarna, it was set for a superb battle between the Norwegian ski queen Therese Johaug36, who made a comeback at the elite level and the Swedish stars Ebba Andersson27, and Frida Karlsson25.
Frida Karlsson was superior
Therese Johaug went out first of the three favorites and quickly caught up with the Swede Martha Rosenberg which had gotten off to a great start. She entered the finish line with a leading time (26:02.7), but it was clear early on that it would not be enough all the way.
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson strikes back against Johaug and Björgen
Instead, it was Frida Karlsson who was by far the strongest. She defied her recovered foot injury and crushed all opponents in her tracks. It was hardly even exciting. She won in a time of 25:16.2, a full 46.5 seconds faster than Johaug, who came second. Frida’s twelfth World Cup victory ever.
– It felt so damn good today, it just flowed. It’s probably my best race so far. It feels pretty good, says Frida herself in Viaplay.
Frida Karlsson’s words about Linn Svahn
The friend and colleague Lynn Svahn had noted that Karlsson was in top form. The sprint star guessed in advance that it would be a victory for her today.
– Linn and I train almost every session together, and we haven’t done that in almost six weeks now. So we did it yesterday and she said: “You’ve never been in this shape”. I replied: “Huh? What do you mean?”. So she knows my body better than I know it.
READ MORE: The truth about Kristine Stavås Skistad’s feelings for the Swedish skiers
Frida was of course satisfied after the premiere victory.
– I have felt that it went well this week, that it was a step up from Bruksvallarna and there was a great response. Yes, skiing is fun. I got four weeks of hard training in Tenerife and four weeks at high altitude. So I got a boost from that, I think actually. Now I’ve had good training on snow lately too, she says and continues:
– It’s still a bit nice that it’s a Swedish victory today. I managed it.
Big congratulations Frida! You are absolutely incredible. What a fantastic display.
So much fun that the international ski season is finally underway! We have a lot to look forward to this year, of course with the WC in Trondheim in focus. We are keeping our fingers crossed for our Swedish riders.
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