Karlsson described the Swedish premiere in Gällivare as the worst weekend of her career and she was far behind the lead.
In the World Cup premiere in Ruka, Karlsson instead went on a roll. The Swedish ski star won the classic mile race 10.5 seconds ahead of Norwegian Heidi Weng.
"Really did my best"
People asked me "did you do your best?". What kind of question is that? I really did my best and it was enough for a tenth place then and a first place today. What I have done well last week is that I have sat calmly in the boat and trusted that I can, says Karlsson after the race.
It was the second year in a row that Karlsson won in Ruka – a perfect start to the Olympic season.
"It feels good that it's true. I thought I was good all along and it's nice to see that it's true in the results too," says Karlsson.
“So incredibly satisfied”
Moa Ilar followed up the strong start in Gällivare and finished in third place, 18.3 seconds behind Karlsson.
I am incredibly happy. I managed to do one of my best classic races technically so I am super happy, says Moa Ilar to Viaplay.
The reigning world champion Ebba Andersson was in the running for a long time, fighting for victory, but lost in the end and finished in fourth place, three seconds behind Ilar.
Märta Rosenberg came in 14th place, Moa Lundgren finished in 21st and Evelina Crusell 34th.
The women's race weekend in Ruka continues with the classic sprint on Saturday and the 20 kilometer freestyle mass start on Sunday.
