Cross-country skiing : Frida Karlsson imperious in the individual classic
While they watched each other from a distance through their respective results last weekend in the Norwegian and Swedish opening races, Therese Johaug and Frida Karlsson faced each other for the first time this Friday morning as the cross-country skiing World Cup got underway.
At theindividual classic in Ruka (Finland), the Norwegian started off with a small race number as she hadn’t raced on the circuit for two years, the date of her retirement from the sport. On the pace, the four-time Olympic champion quickly turned on the green at the various intermediates on the course.
In the pouring snow, the 36-year-old cross-country skier struggled to adapt to the conditions, despite her solid performance. “It snowed a lot during the warm-up. I felt there was no advantage in starting the race in the first bibs,” she told NRK. Frida was still superior. I couldn’t have caught her, but I think some of the seconds I lost were due to that.
Frida Karlsson took to the track with number 46 on her back and quickly cut short any possible debate. Increasing her lead with each intermediate point, the Swede simply put on a classy demonstration for her comeback.
Her domination gave her her first winter success by a margin of more than 46 seconds over her elder sister: “It’s one of the best races I’ve ever done,” the new wearer of the yellow World Cup leader’s bib even admitted to the FIS.
In fact, the 25-year-old’s recital did not fail to provoke a reaction from the Norwegian consultants. “She’s in a class of her own. She knocked out Therese Johaug,” says former athlete Fredrik Aukland. ” It’s a demonstration of power that we haven’t seen since Therese retired,” adds Niklas Dyrhaug, expert for broadcaster Viaplay.
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