PHOTO: Bildbyrån
When Frida Karlsson won the Tour de Ski last season, she collapsed as she crossed the finish line.
Now the skiing star is investing in high-altitude camps to prevent something similar.
– I’m not very good at heights, says Karlsson to SVT Sport.
Frida Karlsson, 24, was the final winner after last season’s Tour de Ski. But the joy didn’t last long when the cross-country skier, shortly before she finished the last competition, collapsed. Karlsson became unconscious and missed the award ceremony when she received treatment.
Karlsson after the collapse
After a while, the reassuring news came that Frida was conscious and able to speak, and a little over 40 minutes after the collapse, the 24-year-old was back on her feet and walking under her own power.
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The 2023/2024 season is a championship-free one, and the following three years are championship years. Frida Karlsson therefore hopes to invest more in training this year, also during the competition season.
– I think a little more about the long term and think that I will continue to train during the competition season, and just let the ball roll. I don’t have that super sharp window where I have to be the best. Three championship years await after the season and it feels good that the goal is development and not a special result, says the ski star to SVT Sport.
Tour de Ski tickles
During the summer and the pre-season before winter, Karlsson invested more than ever in high-altitude camps. Partly to prevent another “Tour de Ski collapse”.
– I’m not very good at heights, but when I get home I have a good effect. But I’m learning too. It’s really a matter of adjusting the speed. And I guess I’ve been quite famous for driving blue.
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Frida hopes to develop, get to know her body better and get a better idea of where her limits are. Karlsson also pays tribute to his coach Per Nilsson which helps her a lot, including with the finesse and getting her to think in the right direction.
But the idea of the Tour de Ski still tempts Karlsson.
– It’s the most fun competition of the whole year, just the way it’s set up. It tickles a little in the stomach when you hear Tour de Ski. It’s a bit the same there, I will go with what I have and make sure to have fun, says the 24-year-old to SVT.
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