Photo: Bildbyrån
Frida Karlsson crossed the finish line 46.5 seconds ahead of runner-up Therese Johaug.
Everyone was surprised… except Linn Svahn.
– She knows my body better than I know it, says Frida Karlsson in Viaplay.
Few thought in advance that Frida Karlsson25, would dominate completely in the World Cup premiere in Finnish Ruka. Despite a nice comeback in Bruksvallarna last weekend, she had missed such a large part of the pre-season. Surely Frida would not be able to challenge Therese Johaug36, and Ebba Andersson27, about the victory in the 10-kilometer race?
Frida Karlsson defeated Therese Johaug
Against all odds, Frida Karlsson crossed the finish line a full 46.5 seconds before runner-up Johaug. It was a real display from the Swede, who thus wins the year’s first international race.
– It felt so damn good today, it just flowed. It’s probably my best race so far. It feels pretty good, says Frida in Viaplay.
READ MORE: Therese Johaug will have nightmares about Frida Karlsson tonight
Therese Johaug took a somewhat sensational second place in the comeback. She has not competed in the World Cup for two years.
– I haven’t done so many ski races in the last two years. To be second here today, I must say that I am satisfied. Frida is in a class of her own, she says.
Linn Svahn knew that Frida would win
One who actually believed, or perhaps even knew, that Frida would win the season opener was the Swedish sprint star Lynn Svahn24.
– 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, says Frida in the broadcast.
READ MORE: Frida Karlsson strikes back against Johaug and Björgen
Viaplay then talks to Svahn in particular, who gets to explain what she has seen in her training partner in the past week.
– Yes, it’s starting to become the case that we are more of a duo than two individuals. We feel each other when something is not good and when something is bad. I try to push it into her all the time, poke a little that: “You’re in shape.” You are in phase. I think you are better than you think you are, she says and continues:
– She shows that there is a new level for her now. When she rides at her best, it’s road winning. She is like a clock, it goes back and forth all the time. Same rhythm and it goes fast. She rides really well.
Linn Svahn bets on Saturday’s sprint
Linn Svahn herself came in tenth place in the race. She is more set to do well in Saturday’s sprint.
– I think it is stable. It’s like I always ride this distance in Ruka. It doesn’t matter how good a phase I’m in or what I’m doing. I’m around tenth place all the time. All in all, it has been a good season – it feels like a stable effort, she says and continues:
– I hope it will be good tomorrow.
Such an impressive competition from you, Frida Karlsson. Big congratulations on the victory! So well deserved. Nice words from your friend Linn Svahn too. You are too beautiful!
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