After winning double Olympic gold in Italy, where one of the victories came in skiathlon, expectations were high for Frida Karlsson heading into the race. In the Olympics, Karlsson won by a full 51 seconds.
The training could have been better, however. Karlsson had to withdraw from the last competition at the Olympics, the five-mile, and had just recovered from a fever.
It may have been the aftermath that left its mark during the sprint on Sunday, when the World Cup restarted in Falun. Karlsson held the lead until the final meters, but was overtaken by both Weng and Diggins.
"Monster jerk"
It was actually far beyond expectations, to be honest. I'm stitching it together well. I may not have the recovery I had two weeks ago, but I still feel like I can be satisfied, says Karlsson in Viaplay's broadcast.
It got tough when Heidi Weng seemed to have good power in her legs towards the end of the race.
"From Heidi running away in some monster convulsion there in the "murder hill" it's just a matter of digging deep and fighting," says Karlsson and continues:
She was very strong today, she should have.
Third place was Karlsson's second podium finish in the World Cup this season.
The Olympic silver medallist in the distance, Ebba Andersson, was not in the starting line-up. She had to withdraw due to a cold.
“Someone please”
Linn Svahn, who took home the victory in Saturday's sprint, was the second-best Swede in fourth place. Moa Ilar came eighth and Maja Dahlqvist twelfth.
It was fun. I sat and looked at a lot of skis before the race. I saw "Vasan" and saw my friend Emilie Fleten win. It gave me some motivation, says Linn Svahn.
Svahn had to catch up with winner Heidi Weng after the race.
I said to Heidi: "Why did you have to sprint already on the killer hill?" Someone please.
There is a chance for revenge for the Swedish women's cross-country skiers next weekend. Then the World Cup continues in Lahti in Finland.
