Only bronze for Sweden.
Then Mathias Fredriksson criticizes Frida Karlsson.
– That decides everything, says the SVT expert.
Sweden were huge favorites ahead of Thursday’s WC relay, given that there have already been eight blue-yellow medals so far. Jonna Sundling won gold in the sprint, and in the team sprint, but was knocked out – and instead Maja Dahlqvist got the chance on the last stretch.
Saws Frida Karlsson
However, Dahlqvist had no chance in the fight for the gold, but when she went out on her stretch the race was already lost. Ebba Andersson fell during her stretch, and when Frida Karlsson tried to catch up, she crashed instead. Karlsson lost too much, and Maja Dahlqvist didn’t have a chance to catch up.
And according to SVT expert Mathias Fredriksson, it was precisely there that Sweden lost the relay, as he criticizes Karlsson and what she performs in her part of the race, and that it was “clearly worse than planned”.
– I think Frida rides below her normal level on her third leg, that decides everything, her leg is clearly below her normal standard, he says in SVT’s live reporting.
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Frida’s explanation
However, Mathias Fredriksson did not want to use the word fiasco.
– I don’t want to use failure, I think it’s such a damn tough word. I still think it’s a surprise that Sweden doesn’t win considering the four riders who are at the start and the two who are reserves, they should win the relay.
Frida Karlsson explained her weak performance by saying that she initially pushed herself a little too hard, and she was also not completely satisfied with her skis.
– I’m working a little hard to catch up and then I think I’m not keeping up downhill. Haven’t had such good skis. It’s sour, says Frida Karlsson.
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