The current scoring system in the World Cup has been used for the past two seasons. Previously, the winner, for example, received 20 points more than the runner-up, who had the same difference down to third place. Now, the difference between winning and second place is only five points, and 50 skiers instead of 30 receive points.
Frida Karlsson says, "The scoring system makes it worthwhile to just participate, it doesn't give much to be the best and win."
Being able to opt out
Karlsson finished third overall last season. Even better went Linn Svahn, who finished second. She had a chance to win the overall title during the final weekend, but fell behind overall winner Jessie Diggins, USA, in Falun.
The starting position for the races in Dalarna could have been much better for the Swedish duo. Both missed the second World Cup weekend in Gällivare after falling ill with covid.
"It shouldn't be that I have to start sick to keep up in the World Cup. Maybe one weekend you could get to opt out and still be in the fight for the overall title," says Karlsson.
National team colleague Ebba Andersson thinks the FIS (International Ski and Snowboard Federation) must review the scoring system.
"Above all, you should reward the top places much more than you do. It should be a big deal to take a World Cup. It should be even bigger to be second or third than to be sixth, seventh, or eighth," says Andersson.
When a missed weekend can ruin all chances of fighting for the overall title, Andersson believes the World Cup becomes secondary.
"Has landed a bit wrong"
"It's not always about how you perform, but just about participating and showing up. Then I think you've landed a bit wrong," says Ebba Andersson.
Svahn's second place was the best on the women's side in 36 years – the season 1987-1988, when Marie-Helene "Billan" Östlund (formerly Westin) finished second. No Swedish woman has ever won the overall title.
"I think it will happen, but maybe not this season. Now, the World Championship is prioritized, and then you choose to skip certain World Cup races. Then it's hard to have something to do with the overall title," says Linn Svahn.
The World Cup starts in Ruka, Finland, on November 29.
Daniel Kihlström/TT
Fact: Scoring in the World Cup
The scoring system in the World Cup, which was introduced in the 2022-2023 season, looks like this:
The 50 best receive points. One receives 100 points, and then 95, 90, 85, 80, and so on.
The previous scoring system was:
The 30 best received points. One received 100 points and then 80, 60, 50, 45, and so on.
+ November 29 - December 1: Premiere in Ruka, Finland.
+ December 6-8: Lillehammer, Norway.
+ December 13-15: Davos, Switzerland.
+ December 28 - January 5: Tour de Ski in Toblach and Val di Fiemme, Italy.
+ January 17-19: Les Rousses, France.
+ January 24-26: Engadin, Switzerland.
+ January 31 - February 2: Cogne, Italy.
+ February 14-16: Falun, Sweden.
+ February 26 - March 9: VM i Trondheim, Norway.
+ March 15-16: Holmenkollen, Norway.
+ March 19: Tallinn, Estonia (only sprint).
+ March 21-23: Världscupavslutning i Lahtis, Finland.
