Published 2024-03-09 12.51
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HOLMEN COLLEGE. Frida Karlsson crushed all opposition in Holmenkollen.
On the last lap, she received boos from the Norwegian audience.
– Then I thought: Can’t you just feel a little sorry for me, I’m struggling here, says Karlsson.
After three tough miles, Frida Karlsson got a gap to the other riders. With full focus, the distance to the others increased slowly but surely, in a way reminiscent of Johan Olsson’s World Cup gold in Val di Fiemme eleven years ago.
That the distance grew was partly thanks to Ebba Andersson and Jonna Sundling, who after the move were first in the second group and apparently did not do everything to catch up with their teammate.
– I said to Jonna: Should we brake, or what should we do? But we didn’t go full throttle, we didn’t, says Ebba Andersson.
After four miles, the distance down to second place was one minute and five seconds.
– I a gap a little unexpectedly. Then I think that no one remembers a coward and gasses at everything I had, says Karlsson.
Got to meet the Norwegian royal family
Shortly afterwards, Ebba Andersson pulled a gap that was enough for a second place behind Karlsson, who won by far and had time to take a Swedish flag before the race.
– She shows that she is queen here in the club, says Linn Svahn.
In two appearances in the Norwegian skiing metropolis, Frida Karlssons now has as many victories. The first was when she unexpectedly caught up and sprinted down Therese Johaug in the 2020 three-mile in front of empty stands.
Today, Karlsson was able to cheer loudly with tens of thousands of spectators around the course in his first five-mile race in the World Cup.
Was booed by the crowd
– Great fun, but I got booed on the last lap. Then I thought: Can’t you just feel a little sorry for me, I’m struggling here. But there was no pity there.
Karlsson afterwards received congratulations from the Norwegian royal family and stood and talked with them for a while.
– Nice to meet them, they were very nice. They seemed very interested in skiing.
They didn’t boo anyway?
– No, not really. They were happy for me.
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full screen Frida Karlsson after the crash in Holmenkollen. Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold / Bildbyrån
The victory was Karlsson’s third individual this season in the World Cup. She is third in the overall World Cup, behind Jessie Diggins and Linn Svahn.
The top duo had a tough time and were both far from the top spots. Diggins turned eleven.
Third was the German Katharina Hennig. Sundling was in the fight for a podium place for a long time but finished sixth.
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full screen chevron-right next Frida Karlsson meets the Norwegian crown prince couple Haakon and Mette-Marit.
1 / 2Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB
