Overall, Distance and U23 World Cup leader: Frida Karlsson

With a margin of 0.3 seconds, Frida Karlsson from Sweden once more puts the hammer down on the battle between her and Therese Johaug as the current leading female Distance skiers in the World Cup.

The two athletes had a perfect tie (same World Cup points, same number of first and second places this season) and were both leading the seeded group which defines the starting order (and order to choose the starting position) for the Interval start. The decision, which athlete could choose her starting position first was then decided according to FIS Points, which was Therese Johaug.

Frida Karlsson started four minutes before Johaug into the race and completed the four laps in 26:58.4 minutes. As Karlsson sat on the leaders chair, Therese fought hard to catch up as she knew that every second counts. By her final stride over the finish line, the 33 year-old was only 0.3 seconds behind: “It was a close race. I heard from my coaches on the track in the race that I was 2 seconds in front (of Frida), 1 second behind, 2 seconds in front.. and so I had to fight with myself all the way. Of course I had Frida in front of me so I heard how much I was behind her so it was up to me but she was 0.3 seconds better than me today.”

With her victory, Frida Karlsson takes over the lead in the Overall World Cup standing, Distance World Cup standing AND U-23 standing!

Only 11.3 seconds separated Johaug to third placed Rosie Brennan from the US Team. “It was really fun to race a new course. With three laps there were some other people out there and you were skiing with some people which was neat. I really love these conditions when it’s snowing and it’s cold and you had to work the whole course and that suits me well. I’ve had a really strong season start and I am excited to get a good chunk of racing in the first period of racing,” concluded Brennan her race. It is the 5th World Cup podium for the American.

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