Everything is no longer about Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson.
In the World Cup premiere, Moa Ilar showed again that she can be counted on this winter.
Despite personal bests, she was dissatisfied.
– Yes, that’s clear, isn’t it? I’m standing here with a “wooden medal” from Frida Karlsson, says Ilar after fourth place.
A wooden medal can be seen as proof that you have just missed out on a podium place. So when Frida Karlsson got a carved tree around her neck after her third place in Saturday’s 10-kilometer race in Ruka, Finland, she quickly passed it on to her teammate.
– Yes, she was four today. Then you have to have a “wooden medal”, and we got a wooden tree or something. So I thought I’d hang it around her instead. She “farted” today too, so that’s cool. We are a strong team, says Frida Karlsson.
Won in Gällivare
In fourth, Moa Ilar was only the third best Swede, as Ebba Andersson won the race. It is still the 26-year-old’s best individual World Cup result, previously her best finish was sixth.
Still, she was a little disappointed with the day.
– Yes, that’s clear, isn’t it? I’m standing here with a “wooden medal” from Frida Karlsson, for my fourth place, says Ilar.
Already in the Swedish premiere in Gällivare last weekend, Ilar showed evidence of proper development since last season. Then she beat both Andersson and Karlsson in the 10 kilometer freestyle.
Stressed on the first lap
But it is not with that background that Saturday’s fourth place feels like a snowball.
– No, I wouldn’t say that. But I’m a little disappointed with the execution. I was a little shocked on the first hill, I probably expected a little better grip and I felt that I had to go out and cut very early. So I was a bit stressed by that, says Ilar.
She sorted that out on the next lap. But up to Karlsson on the podium it was too far. In the end, Moa Ilar was just over twelve seconds behind his teammate at the finish line.
– But at the same time it is my best vc result. And to be able to do it in classic style feels super fun, says Ilar.
LASSE MANNHEIMER/TT
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