The thirteenth World Championship victory of her career was impressive to witness. Especially after the disappointment on Friday, when she had to settle for seventh place on the 10-kilometer freestyle. And also considering how the winter has been.
A foot injury forced Frida Karlsson to alternative training before the season start and the problems returned after the two initial World Cup weekends, which led to her skipping the Tour de Ski.
Strength signal ahead of the World Championship
But with Sunday's superior victory, she shows that she will be a force to be reckoned with at the World Championship in Trondheim in just over a month.
I've really got the classical skiing going this year. It feels like I'm just skiing and having fun, says Frida Karlsson to Viaplay.
Today, I didn't think about anything beforehand, I just thought I'd go out and ski. It was so much fun. And I had great skis, the waxing team did a great job today.
She set a powerful pace already during the initial kilometer of Sunday's World Cup race in classical style in French Les Rousses. The field was quickly spread out on the demanding course, with its many steep uphill climbs. After about five kilometers, only four other skiers could keep up with the pace, and after nine kilometers, only national team colleague Ebba Andersson could keep up with Karlsson.
Soon, she too was left without a chance.
With eight kilometers left, Frida Karlsson made the decisive move, and then stormed towards a new superior victory.
I just tried to ski relaxed with pressure, to "let the skis go". I set a pace that was controlled, I could have responded to attacks if they had come. But it seems to have taken its toll on everyone else.
Long-awaited podium spot
In the World Cup premiere in Finnish Ruka, 10 kilometers classical, Karlsson crushed all opposition when she was 46 seconds ahead of second-placed Therese Johaug at the finish.
This time, Johaug was missing, normally the toughest opponent on this type of course. Then the winning margin was doubled: one and a half minutes down to Ebba Andersson. Austrian Teresa Stadlober became third.
Ebba Andersson also has reason to be pleased with the day. The 27-year-old has not quite gotten it together this season, but now took her first World Cup podium spot of the winter.
