Three years ago, Frida Karlsson won the Tour de Ski. She won't do it this time.
The 26-year-old comes into the final two stages in Val di Fiemme with several weak races under her belt. She is almost three minutes behind leader Jessie Diggins (USA).
But I have a pretty clear picture of what is not working, says Karlsson to the assembled media corps on site in Italy the day before the penultimate stage, a classic-style sprint.
"Sickest I've ever seen"
It's not a new problem that's plaguing her, but a heel that's been bothering her for years.
I have strange feet. I went to some expert who had been doing that for 30 years, and they just said, "Oh, that was the sickest thing I've ever seen!" So I wasn't born with the best conditions when it comes to feet, says Frida Karlsson.
At the moment, it's a matter of her not really daring to press her heel down properly. And then things simply go slower in the tracks.
I've had some recurring problems with my heel. Right now I'm not confident in "getting down" on it. I don't know if it's just that I'm afraid, but it's a lot about movement patterns and technique and such.
Olympics next month
The Olympics are being held in Val di Fiemme next month. But Karlsson is not worried about the Winter Games, she is used to dealing with problems.
The solution to the problem is as simple as it is boring:
It's about breaking movement patterns and working quite a bit with rehab and prehab.
